6-9 MATERIALS

6-9 MONTHS

I can’t believe the next one of these I’ll post Indie will be one! How has that happened?! Anyway, these are a selection of her favourite materials between 6 and 9 months. Rabbit from Rosa & Bo nesting dolls from The Little Sensory Box. This has a lovely gentle bell inside that reinforces cause and effect for this age group. It's also a really cute size for little hands to grasp. The Grimms mini roller pictured above is the same. The tiny wooden balls and bell are perfect to encourage movement but also the mini size makes it double up as a rattle too.

Rosa and Bo bunny from nesting dolls. Firm favourite here. Click to shop at The Little Sensory Box and use RAINBOW at checkout for 10% off.

Books as always are a firm staple here. These realistic touch and feel board books are brilliant and highly recommended. Before age 6 children struggle to differentiate fantasy from reality so these simple picture books are perfect. 

Some more traditional Montessori materials that we've introduced these past couple of months have been the egg in a cup and the object permanence box. Often what most people think of when they think of Montessori is the ball in the box. The egg in the cup is the first 3D puzzle introduced because of its perfect size for small hands paired with the cup. The egg can be replaced either way which is what makes it a good starting point. Remember friends, Montessori doesn't cost the earth!

The object permanence box is a classic material that reinforces the concept that things still exist when they go out of sight. The ball is placed in the hole and disappears only to reappear in the tray. India still hasn't mastered this but enjoys manipulating the ball and watching me place it in the hole to reappear. Another easy way to explore this concept is peekaboo!

The Galt Toys pop up people are loved. They haven't been rotated off the shelves since I brought them out. She's enjoyed these so much more than Alfie. She has just started these last couple of weeks bouncing her palm  on top of them trying to get them to pop out. These small discoveries to us are just amazing to watch. I didn't really present this material to her but allowed her to discover this in her own time, which made it all the more special when she started to investigate.

tickit balls from The Little Sensory Box in our treasure tubes. Click to shop and use RAINBOW to save 10%.

Our tickit mirror balls from The Little Sensory Box are still going strong. They come in a set of 4 in different sizes and the cold metal is a fab alternative material for her to explore along with the usual soft fabric balls and our wooden ones. RAINBOW for 10% off at The Little Sensory Box.

Not pictured is our Sawdust and Rainbows pikler triangle too which she was using as a tunnel. However, these last couple of weeks she’s been more interested in climbing and pulling up. That brings with it a whole new dimension to play. Gross motor is definitely taking a huge lead at the minute and envision the 9-12 post reflecting this. 

Do you spot any favourites with your little ones too?