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“The first essential for child’s development is concentration.”

— Maria Montessori

Dahlia is already almost 2 months old! During her second month, we have continued offering a lot of visual development work. At around five weeks old, babies go through their first developmental leap. This first leap is known as the world of changing sensations. During this leap, babies go through a rapid growth in the development of their sensations, and become more interested in the world around them. Their visual range goes from just 10 inches, to being able to see beyond two feet. During this time, babies also begin responding to their caretakers as they take more notice in their surroundings. Due to all that is happening in her developmental stage, the focus this month is her visual development and grasping and exploring items around her.

Check out what we did month one here.

Activities

Black and White Book 4 weeks +

This is an extension to the black and white cards. This fold out book stands on its own, allowing the baby to observe the pictures independently while on the movement mat. This is a great activity to utilize during tummy time, giving the baby an added interest to look at. Tummy time is essential for strengthening the head and neck muscles, and practicing movement.

Observing the black and white book while doing tummy time.

Octahedron mobile 5-8 weeks

The octahedron mobile is the second of the Montessori mobile series. It is introduced once the baby begins to loose interest of the Munari mobile, around 6 weeks. The octahedron mobile provides more color discrimination and mental organization, with the three primary colors. It also provides visual tracking and 3-dimensional geometry, connecting our world to the 3-D shapes.

Observing the Home and Nature 5 weeks +

Now that the baby is beginning to notice their world around them, it is a great time to explore the house and outdoors with them. Stop at the mirror, the interesting light, the picture with a lot of patterns on the wall. Gaze at the tree’s leaves blowing in the wind, the flowers on the ground. Dahlia’s favorite thing to observe in our house is a Native American patterned rug hanging on the wall. Walk around and talk about the things you see and the baby seems to be looking towards. This allows them to see more of their environment and surroundings, and an understanding of their world.

Grasping:

Interlocking Disks
This is two wooden circular disks interlocked in the center. This beginning grasping work can initially be placed in the baby’s hand using their reflexive grasp. Once the grasp changes from reflexive to more intentional, the baby will be able to reach with a whole hand to grab the disks. An older baby will begin to do hand to hand transfer of the disks.
Crinkle Paper
Crinkle paper is excellent for babies to begin grasping. It is easy to hold in their hands, and has the added interest of the sound it makes when crinkled and squeezed. This gives both auditory and tactile sensory.
Ring with Ribbons (Ribbon Kite)
This one is easy to make at home. A wooden ring with colored ribbons tied on, the ribbon can be used for interest and holding above the baby for visual interest and tracking. The thick wood ring is easy to grasp, initially the ring can be placed in the baby’s hand. An older baby can wave it like a “kite”.
Rubber Ball with Protrusions
This rubber sphere with protrusions is great for beginning grasping. The baby can grasp it in all directions, and also teeth and suck on it. It can initially be placed in the baby’s hand and the child will manipulate it and suck on the protrusions. An older baby will begin hand to hand transfer with it, and may bang it against the ground and explore different ways of using it.

The ring with ribbons can first be held above the baby’s head for visual tracking.

This list is based off of both AMS (American Montessori Society) and AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) studies and manuals. I am trained and hold an infant/toddler montessori credential in AMS.