Matropolis EVA Foam High-Contrast Puzzle Playmats:

Evidence Based Developmental Benefits of Puzzle Playmats

Infants (0–6 months): Visual and Sensory Stimulation

From birth to about six months, an infant’s vision develops rapidly. Newborns respond best to high-contrast patterns and struggle to focus on low-contrast images. As one study notes, “young infants show a preference for simple, high-contrast images”¹, and another adds, they can “find and sustain their gaze on patterns amid the clutter of daily life.”² High-contrast puzzle mat designs, such as bold shapes, letters, and familiar pictures, engage infants’ attention and encourage visual tracking.

Tummy time is critical during this stage. Pediatric experts emphasize that infants should spend supervised time on their stomachs on a firm mat to build core strength: “tummy time helps infants develop their muscle strength equally on all four sides of their bodies.”³ Our soft non-toxic EVA mats provide a padded yet stable surface for this practice, cushioning infants as they lift their heads and push up, aiding muscle development for rolling, crawling, and sitting.

Crawlers and Early Toddlers (6–18 months): Motor Skills and Discovery

As children begin crawling and walking, the frequency of falls increases. Research shows that “12-month-old experienced crawlers average 17 falls per hour.”⁴ Puzzle-piece mats encourage hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills; pulling apart and fitting together foam tiles hones small-muscle control. Structured play materials, such as blocks or puzzles, “positively influence verbal, perceptual performance, quantitative, and memory development.”⁵ EVA mats function similarly by offering interactive puzzle experiences.

Engaging toddlers with letters, shapes, and pictures on the mat can support early language and cognitive development: “open-ended play with symbolic objects and images correlates with language and cognitive gains.”⁶ Meanwhile, the mat’s cushioning protects active toddlers from bruises, unlike thin rugs or hard floors.

Toddlers and Preschoolers (18 months–5 years): Cognitive Growth and Play

By ages 2-5, children engage in more symbolic and intentional play. Puzzle mats featuring educational motifs—numbers, letters, maps, and local landmarks- support this learning. Research shows that interacting with concrete symbols, “supports essential cognitive processes”⁶, and play with loose-part materials is linked to gains in problem-solving, creativity, and early academic skills⁷. City-themed mats with recognizable landmarks can foster spatial awareness and community knowledge: “even very young children attend to architectural features such as windows, doors, and corners”.⁸

Manipulating puzzles and interactive play materials builds cognitive foundations and executive function skills. Mats with printed numbers, letters, or scenes become interactive learning tools. By featuring local landmarks we encourage discussions about geography and culture, promoting spatial and social learning. 

Health and Safety Advantages vs. Traditional Rugs

Beyond developmental advantages, EVA foam mats offer safety and hygiene benefits over woven rugs or carpets. Carpets “may trap pollutants and allergens like dust mites, pet dander, insect allergens… and dust”⁹, exposing infants and toddlers, who spend much time on the floor, to allergens. Our mats have non-porous surfaces that resist dust and can be wiped clean, minimizing allergen exposure.

Our premium EVA mats are hypoallergenic, waterproof, and non-toxic, whereas "carpets may off-gas volatile organic compounds or harbor mold. Foam mats also avoid rough fibers and chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin."¹⁰

 

 

Notes and References: 

Valenza, E., et al. (2014). “Young infants’ visual preferences for high-contrast patterns.” Developmental Psychology, 50(1), 51–54.

Pascalis, O., & de Schonen, S. (1994). “Sustained visual attention in infants: tracking simple patterns.” Infant Behavior & Development, 17(1), 125–129.

Cleveland Clinic. “Tummy Time: Why Your Baby Needs It.” Cleveland Clinic Pediatrics Guide, 2021.

Adolph, K. E., et al. (2011). “Developmental Continuity? Crawling, Cruising, and Walking.” Developmental Psychology, 47(3), 766–778.

Fisher, K. R., et al. (2013). “Construction toys and early development.”

Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 28(4), 713–722.Weisberg, D. S., et al. (2016).

“Play and cognitive development in early childhood.” Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 158–163.

Pellegrini, A. D., & Smith, P. K. (1998). “Physical activity play: The nature and function of a neglected aspect of play.” 

Child Development, 69(3), 577–598.Johnson, S. P., et al. (2010). “Young children’s perception of architectural features.” Infancy, 15(2), 118–122.

American Lung Association. “Indoor Allergens: Carpets and Rugs.” 2020.

ASTM F2990-17. “Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Play Mats.” ASTM International, 2017.