Professor says debate over maternity-package ball misses its purpose

A ball added to Finland’s new maternity package has drawn criticism because it was made in China, but its creator says the debate has overlooked its benefits for babies. Yle reports that Arja Sääkslahti, a professor of sports and health sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, developed the idea after nearly 20 years of considering how a ball could support child development.

The ball is intended to support babies’ fine and gross motor skills and encourage interaction between parents and children. Its bright colours and symmetrical shape are designed to catch a baby’s attention. Reaching for it can help babies control their heads, develop hand movements and strengthen their muscles, Sääkslahti said.

The idea was prompted in part by concerns that busy modern life and time spent in car seats limit children’s movement. World Health Organization recommendations published in 2019 said for the first time that babies should spend enough time on their stomachs on the floor.

Sääkslahti said playing with the ball can also create shared moments between parents and children at a time when smartphones can distract adults. She compared it with books previously included in maternity packages, which have supported language learning, and said play with a ball could help build emotional and interaction skills.

Research on physical activity has found that children who know how to handle and play with a ball are, on average, more physically active later in life, she said. Time spent playing with a ball in childhood may also support children’s later participation in outdoor games and group activities with friends.

The ball costs 2.05 euros and is funded through the government’s Finland on the Move programme. Some have questioned its inclusion in the package, including on commercial grounds. “The discussion has gone completely in the wrong direction,” Sääkslahti said.