Before you know it, you will be celebrating your baby's first birthday. But before you get there, your baby will need stimulation to reach his cognitive, physical, social, and emotional milestones.
Here's our list of the top 10 most important Montessori and Montessori aligned toys you can find in our boxes.
0 - 5 Months
Black and White playthings
While your baby's vision is still underdeveloped and blurry (they can barely see beyond 15-30cm), it's crucial to provide them with high contrast visual stimulation. High-contrasts are easier for babies to interpret, and they can help lengthen their attention span and improve their memory.
Black and white cards, B&W book and mittens (Look with Me).
Baby-safe mirror
Baby's love to see other babies, including themselves. Mirrors foster curiosity, help develop social skills and even enhance cognitive development. Hitting the self-awareness milestone usually happens around 18 months, so until then, let your baby babble and giggle at himself to his heart's content.
Mirror insert or stand-up mirror (Look with Me)
Rattle teether
Visual tracking using sound and movement helps build eye muscle strength, laying the foundation of hand-eye coordination, reading, and writing.
Black & White bell rattle (Look with Me)
Crinkle bag
Babies usually start reaching with purpose by four months. By now, they have better arm and hand control, and they are curious about the world around them. They are intrigued by things that are easy to grab and enhance their sensory experience. This will include anything that can make a sound, an interesting texture and something they can safely put in their mouths. But don't worry, this bag is machine washable!
(Bond with Me)
Hand-to-hand transfer disc
Bilateral coordination is the ability to use both sides of the body at the same time. Getting it right involves coordination across the centre of your baby's body (also referred to as crossing the midline). It is the basis for dressing themselves, self-feeding and holding crayons.
(Bond with Me)
6 - 12 Months
Rattle Socks
Your baby is still trying to understand that his feet and legs are part of him. This understanding is the first part of him doing more and more with his legs and feet, making them stronger. As your baby moves his feet, he will discover they are making the sound and learning how to control their feet is a precursor to crawling and walking.
(Sense with Me)
Spinning rainbow drum
As your baby is working his way up to mastering some gross motor skills, the spinning drum will give him plenty of opportunities to master his fine motor skills too. As your baby plays with the drum, he strengthens his arm and wrist muscles which will come in handy when using utensils.
(Sense with Me)
Object permanence box
By 6 to 9 months, your baby will discover object permanence, which means your baby understands that things they can't see — you, their cup, a pet — still exist. The ball dropbox helps a child understand that an item that disappears from view still exists and will return.
(Observe with Me)
Tissue pull box
Babies become obsessed with pulling tissues or wipes out of the container- a little more stressful is them attempting to eat it, too. This seemingly simple activity helps your baby understand containment as they empty - and later fill - the box. Pulling the magic tissues out also supports your baby's natural curiosity, developing fine motor skills, and teaching them to focus on a single task.
(Discover with Me)
Pretend wallet
One of the characteristics of Montessori toys is that it is based on reality. Luckily, babies are naturally attracted to objects they see parents use every day - like mommy's wallet. A pretend wallet provides ample opportunity for your little one to explore filing and spilling while practising his fine motor skills.
(Explore with Me)
