By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori
Month 3
- Black and white or high-contrast visual mobiles
- Soft grasping toys
- Mirrors
In addition to what we mentioned in Month 1 and Month 2, an easy addition to our Montessori at home environment was a full-length mirror made from shatterproof material instead of glass. We securely mounted the mirror onto the wall in the movement area where we displayed visual mobiles and where our daughters could observe their own movements in the reflection.
Birth to 3 Months
During the first few months of life, a baby's needs are primarily centered around basic physical needs such as eating, sleeping, and being held. However, even at this young age, Montessori materials can be used to support the development of the senses and promote early exploration.
One of the most important Montessori materials for newborns is a Montessori mobile. Mobiles designed for this age are simple and made up of high-contrast images and black-and-white patterns to stimulate a baby's developing visual system. These mobiles should be hung low above the baby but out of reach, so they can focus on the patterns and images.
Another Montessori material that can be used for this age is a grasping toy or material. Grasping materials can be hung low on a mobile or placed in a baby's hand to promote hand-eye coordination and the development of the grasping reflex. All of these are available in our 0-3 month bundle -- as parents striving for minimalism in our home it was important for us to make it simpler for new parents and caregivers to get what they needed without extra steps!
3 to 6 Months
Between three and six months, a baby's sensory awareness becomes more refined, and they become increasingly interested in exploring their surroundings. At this age, Montessori materials can be used to encourage exploration and support the development of gross and fine motor skills. Tactile mobiles are excellent to introduce at this age -- they are grasping and reaching and beginning to understand cause and effect.
One of the most important Montessori materials for this age is a Montessori mirror. A low, unbreakable mirror can be placed on the floor to allow a baby to explore their reflection and practice reaching and rolling. Additionally, grasping materials can be introduced with more complex textures and shapes to encourage exploration and manipulation. You can find what you need in our 3-6 month bundle, which contains grasping materials, musical materials as well as ones that roll and encourage movement. This is by far our most popular bundle of handmade Montessori materials as it spans several months of development.
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Montessori From Birth: Month 2
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