Results of Co-Design Methods
After extensive usage of various co-design methods, it was imperative to not only identify the key findings, insights and observations made from the co-design tools, but to also evaluate our current proposed product and make necessary adjustments based on input received from the mother. Hence, the subsequent sections describe:
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The key insights and findings of the co-design sessions
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Key changes made to the proposed prototype after reflecting on the co-design sessions
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Key decisions that needed to be taken in order to continue this phase
Key Insights from co-design sessions
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The baby exhibits a keen interest in colours and textures, and anything within reach instantly captures his attention, suggesting the importance of incorporating various visually stimulating and tactile elements in product designs.
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The baby exhibits curiosity towards mirrors and reflections, presenting opportunities for products incorporating reflective surfaces to engage his attention and encourage self-discovery.
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The baby prefers moving around independently, as seen through its joy in using a walker, indicating potential interest in toys or solutions that enable exploration and motor skill development.
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The baby's attraction to banging and tactile exploration indicates a preference for toys that provide sensory feedback through sound, touch, and possibly visual reactions to actions. Hence, toys focusing on cause-and-effect, like pressable buttons that trigger sounds or movements, could align with these interests.
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The baby's interest in simple objects such as cups and items he can grab indicates that overly complex or niche products may not be necessary for engagement. Instead, versatility and basic interaction (e.g., pressing buttons, musical triggers) might offer significant engagement value.
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Dual-purpose objects (e.g., cups or egg boxes without eggs) are particularly interesting for the baby, suggesting a preference for simple but versatile toys over complex ones.
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The baby enjoys banging objects together, which points towards developing toys that can withstand rough handling while offering sensory feedback.
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He demonstrates a potential interest in interactive elements and music integration, suggesting that toys or environments with responsive features could enhance his engagement and offer developmental benefits.
Key changes made to the proposed product
After collecting and organizing the key insights and relevant points of interest from the co-design sessions, it was decided to make 2 key adjustments to the proposed portable playground to account more for the mother's needs and desires, as well as the baby's preferences
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Key Change 1: Shifting from portability to a stationary play kit.
The initial proposed playground would consist of a mat that would allow the mother to bundle the toy in the playground and carry it with her to social and nature outings with her baby.
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However, after spending more time in discussion with the mother, several key details were revealed.
Firstly, the mother stated that most social outings with her baby occurred in cafes where the space is quite limited, making it inconvenient and time-consuming to set up all the toys and the mat for the baby.
Secondly, she also claimed that the baby has ample entertainment in cafes due to it either experiencing and viewing a plethora of new sights or events, or simply choosing to sleep, and stated that engaging the baby in cafes is not a very demanding or concerning obligation. Finally, she stated that while she desires to take the baby out to more parks and nature locations, she states that she plans to travel by bike more often once the baby has grown older, and keeps an already full back containing nappies and food for the baby, hence making it more inconvenient for her to add on to the existing load and carry an entire toy kit as well.
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Hence, in light of these revelations, it was decided that the original product was too broad and aimed to solve too many problems at once; it would be more wise however to focus on the root problem, which was engaging the baby at home when the mother is most stressed. Additionally, dimensioning toys to ensure portability would risk making them too small and potentially hazardous for the baby. Hence, it was decided that portability would be discarded, and instead, the focus would be on maximizing the engagement for the baby by encouraging solo play in home environments.
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Key Change 2: Exclusion of a playmat with base components in the kit
The original proposed product featured a play mat that contained base components, with special colours indicating the development stages, to allow the mother to attach and detach toys onto the mat to allow the baby to engage with new toys and develop its skills in multiple areas.
However, after several key points of information observed in the co-design sessions, it was decided to ultimately discard the play mat with base components. Firstly, the mother stated that she already possessed a play mat that featured an animal-like texture, and while it was good in theory, the baby's attention was not captivated by the mat for an extensive period and was more decorative than useful.
Secondly, while the mother stated that it "would be nice" to have a play mat, the core concern of the mother was the toys and their respective capacity for engagement, as this was the core offering that aimed to solve the main problem. Finally, making components detachable and attachable to a fixed play kit introduces an unwanted constraint on the toys and prevents the baby from engaging in movement, banging and tactile experiences with the toys, which reduces the number of ways in which a toy can engage the baby, and results in a greater likelihood of the baby being quickly bored of the toy in a shorter period.
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Therefore, given these points of contention, it was decided to pivot the proposed product to not include a mat with base components, and instead solely focus on selecting, producing and delivering toys that ensured maximum engagement and educational value, and allowed the baby to interact with toys in a variety of different forms without constraining them or making their features fixed.
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Key Change 3: Decreased focus on the guilt of the participant.
Throughout both previous interviews and co-design sessions, the mother repeatedly stated the guilt she felt when she does not actively engage with her baby, which is a sentiment that is not exclusive the the participant and shared by a large number of mothers [1]. This aspect still proved challenging to solve and the group still struggled to find a viable solution to perhaps include and solve this.
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After further analysis of the results of the interviews and co-design sessions, it was decided that solving this issue, along with the current issue of engaging the baby in independent play, would be unfeasible.
This is because the product, following the mother's desires, is designed to encourage independent, engaging and educational play and entertainment to allow the mother to focus on work-related tasks and chores in an efficient and focused manner. However, the mother also states that she desires to spend time with the baby and feels guilty when not doing so, which results in a contradiction to her previous sentiments.
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However, it was decided that the focus should solely be on maximizing engagement and education for the baby. B doing so, the mother not only has more time and energy to complete important work tasks and chores but also will get the tasks done in a quicker amount of time due to fewer distractions from the baby. Hence, if she gets tasks done more efficiently, she will have a greater amount of time to spend with the baby, which will significantly reduce her feelings of guilt. Therefore, it was decided to have a sole focus on the engagement and educational value of the toys to maximize entertainment for the baby
Key decions made to the proposed product
After analysing the key findings of the co-design sessions, and making key changes to the proposed product, it was decided that, before this phase could proceed, key decisions had to be made in light of these new changes:​
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The number of toys to include in each kit
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The age ranges and distribution frequency of each kit
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The types of toys that will be included in each kit of each age range
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1. The number of toys to include in each kit
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Analysis:
Drawing insights from Lovevery and Grow With Me’s subscription models [2][3], balancing quantity and quality is key to fostering an enriching play environment.
Excessive options can overwhelm an infant, while too few may not adequately stimulate development. The principle of diminishing returns in toy engagement, suggests that as children get increasingly accustomed and exposed to a toy, they will want to move on because it no longer surprises or excites them the way it used to [4]. This is supported by habituation theory and underlines the importance of offering a curated selection that encourages deep, focused play.
An ideal range of toys within each kit should strike a balance between offering variety and avoiding overstimulation, which can detract from focus and play quality [5].
Hence, a balanced number of toys in each kit is crucial for stimulating interest without overwhelming the child. Based on ("Grow With Me’s Beautiful Play Box"), each box contains 3-5 high-quality, research-based sensory & wooden toys/products along with a development-stage-specific book [3]. This quantity allows for varied engagement without leading to overstimulation or decision paralysis, which can detract from play quality [5].
Furthermore, based on Lovevery, each kit contains around eight toys that cater to the child’s developmental stage and are of high enough quality to withstand rough play, indicating a thoughtful balance between quantity, quality, and developmental appropriateness [2]. Lovevery kits are designed with input from child development experts, ensuring that the toys not only engage children but also significantly contribute to their growth and learning.
Decision:
Optimal engagement is likely achieved with 4 to 8 toys. This range allows for variety, promoting different areas of development, without causing overstimulation.
Hence, each kit will include 6 carefully selected toys plus 1 toy that grows with the child, ensuring variety and sustained interest over the subscription period. This configuration ensures diversity, catering to the evolving developmental stages, while the inclusion of a book promotes early literacy and bonding during reading times.
Rationale:
This decision is grounded in developmental psychology insights that underscore the importance of sensory and cognitive stimulation through varied play [6]. A selection of five toys allows for a rotational play strategy, mitigating habituation and sustaining engagement over time [4].
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2. The types of toys that will be included in each kit of each age range
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Kit A (0-3 months) -> Emphasizing sensory exploration and foundational motor skills.
Analysis:
For infants in the 0-3 months age range, sensory exploration lays the groundwork for cognitive, social, and motor skill development. At this stage, babies are beginning to engage with their environment through sight, sound, touch, and movement. Prioritizing toys that offer high-contrast visuals, gentle sounds, varying textures, and safe, mouth-friendly materials encourages early perception and sensory discrimination. It is critical to introduce toys that stimulate visual tracking, auditory discrimination, and tactile exploration without overwhelming the infant's nascent sensory processing capabilities.
Decision:
To foster a nurturing play environment that stimulates but does not overwhelm, the selection of toys will focus on promoting sensory development, early gross motor skills, and parent-infant interaction. A critical aspect is ensuring the toys are made from safe, non-toxic materials suitable for mouth exploration and gentle enough for an infant's delicate tactile sensibilities.
Rationale:
The rationale for focusing on sensory and foundational motor skills is rooted in developmental psychology, emphasizing the importance of early sensory experiences in brain development. Engaging an infant's senses through textured, high-contrast, and soft sound-producing toys supports neural pathway developments essential for later cognitive and motor skills.
Examples:
1. High-Contrast Montessori Ball - Targets visual tracking and encourages early grasping skills.
2. Soft Silicone Teether Toys - Facilitates tactile exploration and soothes gums during early teething.
3. Plush Baby Rattles - Provides gentle auditory stimulation and encourages fine motor development through grasping.
4. Tummy Time Water Mat - Enhances neck and upper body strength during tummy time, fostering gross motor development.
5. High Contrast Book - Stimulates visual development with bold patterns and contrast, fostering visual attention.
Kit B (3-6 months) -> Supporting emerging grasp, sensory refinement, and motor coordination.
Analysis:
As infants reach the 3-6 months milestone, they exhibit significant advancements in hand-eye coordination, grasp and release mechanisms, and increased curiosity about their surroundings. This development phase calls for toys that challenge and support their motor skills, offering opportunities for successful interaction and exploration. The toys should encourage reaching, batting, gripping, and transfer between hands, promoting both fine and gross motor skill development as well as introducing basic cause-and-effect understanding.
Decision:
The toys selected for this kit aim to engage infants in activities that bolster motor coordination, sensory discrimination, and cognitive alertness through intriguing textures, movements, and interactive features. The choice of toys will support infants' natural curiosity and desire to engage with objects in their environment, fostering developmental milestones while ensuring safety and enjoyment.
Rationale:
The shift towards more interactive play is supported by a growing body of research highlighting the importance of tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli in cognitive and motor development. By incorporating toys that promote physical interaction, reach and grasp skills, and sensory exploration, the kit supports the infant's natural developmental trajectory, enhancing motor skills and cognitive connections.
Examples:
1. Grip and Shake Socks and Wrist Rattles - Encourages discovery of hands and feet, promoting coordination.
2. Soft Stacking Blocks - Develops fine motor skills and problem-solving through stacking and knocking down.
3. Musical Plush Toys - Engages auditory and tactile senses, encouraging cause-and-effect learning.
4. Textured Multi-Sensory Balls - Aids in tactile exploration, gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
5. Baby-safe Mirror - Supports social and self-awareness development, encouraging focus and interaction.
By thoughtfully curating toys within these kits to match the developmental milestones of each age range, the proposed kits aim to support the holistic growth of infants and toddlers, ensuring that playtime is enriching, safe, and perfectly aligned with their needs, and it is ensured that these toys serve as tools to enrich the developmental journey, enhancing the critical skills required for future success.
References
[1] “Not interacting with baby while awake all the time - feeling guilty =/,” BabyCenter. https://community.babycenter.com/post/a44779534/not_interacting_with_baby_while_awake_all_the_time_-_feeling_guilty
[2] “12 Toy Subscription Boxes We Recommend for Babies, Toddlers, and Big Kids,” Parents. https://www.parents.com/toy-subscription-box-7495366
[3] “Monthly subscription box by Grow With Me,” Grow With Me. https://growwithmesubscriptionbox.co.uk/product/monthly-subscription/
[4] “Too many toys but your child is bored of them all? Read this.,” Shumee. https://www.shumee.in/blogs/news/what-can-you-do-when-your-child-is-bored-of-their-toys
[5] H. Butler, “Babies Can Get Bored: Here’s How to Turn It Into a Good Thing,” LoveToKnow. https://www.lovetoknow.com/parenting/baby/do-babies-get-bored
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Important Milestones: Your Baby By Two Years,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oct. 22, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2yr.html