3-6 MATERIALS

3 - 6 MATERIALS

How am I writing this?! So 3-6 materials got a little bit more exciting. I love this age! You will notice as a Montessori family we don't have any toys that contain India. So there aren't any baby swings/bouncers, bumbo or other such prop seats or any jumperoos or door bouncers. We follow the natural development of the child and allow the freedom of movement and the natural development of gross motor. India started dragging herself at 4 months old and just as she turned 5 months she had mastered commando crawling. 

Her materials reflect these interests. No she can't sit but following her lead and her natural development she will get there eventually. I won't put her in a position that she can't safely get into or out of by herself. She is in a sensitive period for movement so it's natural that she won't want to sit still. I'm not suggesting that her early movement compared to Alfie is because of an absence of these containers this time around but just sharing our experience with her compared to Alfie. All children are different and develop at their own rate. 

The materials that she has enjoyed engaging with are:

Montessori puzzle ball - this one pictured is from a small business called Mimosa handmade dreams on Etsy. The puzzle ball is brill! It can be hung from a play gym, it's the perfect shape for grasping and it rolls but not so far that baby can't keep up.

Board books that show realistic pictures of animals and babies/people.

Large Grimms monochrome roller - brill for motivating movement and during tummy time. Also begins to introduce cause and effect with the lovely sound of the wooden balls inside.

Play silks and scarves - the one pictured is a Sarah's silk and the colours are gorgeous! We have enjoyed using this for peekaboo, suspended from her playgym and in her treasure basket. Alfie also enjoys these so they have a long play life.

Interlocking discs - traditional montessori material to encourage grasping and transferring objects from one hand to the other. It also rolls in an interesting way.

Teethers - I've only pictured one but we have a basket available.

Manhatten toys rattle

Treasure basket - similar items from 0-3. Check that post out for full details. Various sensory items are available from thelittlesensorybox. Use code RAINBOW for 10% off.

Hope these recommendations have been helpful. Do your little ones gravitate towards particular toys? Have we featured any here?