“The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life.”
– Maria Montessori
Education, according to the Montessori method, can start at any time, even during 0-12 months, as the main goal of this approach is to create favorable conditions for the child's comprehensive development. Infants explore the world especially actively: they engage all their senses, recognize the smell and voice of their parents, grasp their parents' fingers, and enjoy the songs of birds or pleasant music. Moreover, they grow and become more skillful daily: they learn to roll over, hold their head, crawl forward, sit, stand while holding onto something, and eventually walk. From random sounds, they progress to syllables, and they can already pronounce the simplest words at one year.
At each of these stages, parents can help the infant by providing useful activities and Montessori toys for children aged 0-12 months and by showing their unconditional love and care.
The Role of a Montessori Parent
When the Montessori method gained popularity worldwide, a scientist noted in one of her lectures that parents often feel excessive responsibility, believing they must do everything possible every day to guide, warn, encourage, and correct their child. However, such an approach undermines the understanding that a child's path is often spontaneous, and parental love should not excessively manifest in constantly directing development in the right direction.
The primary role of mom and dad is to provide the child with a sense of security. With this, it will be easier for toddlers to express their abilities, which develop from 0 to 6 years old when they go through cycles of sensitive learning periods. At the same time, during this period, the child is like a sponge absorbing all the information around them. The concept of the absorbing mind suggests that parents don't need to focus so much on finding the most interesting Montessori activities for 0-12 months but simply to be there, talk to the child, play with them, sing to them, and explain everything they see on walks or at home: “This is a tree,” “This is a car,” “This is a bird," and so on.
Absorbing Mind
This term was introduced by Dr. Montessori herself as the foundation of her educational approach. According to her, the brain operates at full capacity during this time, effortlessly absorbing knowledge from everything: from parents, the environment, and surroundings. This forms the basis for future learning. During this period, the child resembles a sponge, soaking up all the surrounding information without critical thinking or categorization. The child absorbs language, observes the actions of people around them, and learns to imitate the actions they see. In this context, Maria Montessori emphasized that adults should be an example and guide for the child, not by teaching, but by demonstrating.
Sensitive Periods
According to Montessori principles, sensitive periods are specific development phases for a baby between 0 and 12 months. It is very important to offer appropriate activities and games for each stage and provide the baby with everything they need to acquire new skills.
Movement Development Period
The development of movement begins from birth and gradually becomes more active. At first, the baby familiarizes themselves with their own body, learning to control hand movements, hold their head up, and manage hand movements. By 6 months, movements become more controlled, and the baby starts sitting, easily grasping objects. At this stage, Montessori toys, such as play mats, rattles, and later, indoor climbing structures, are helpful.
Speech Development Period
It may seem that children start speaking only after one year, but the speech development period actually begins from birth! Initially, the baby perceives sounds and voices and observes the articulation of sounds. Later, they imitate the sounds they hear, babble, and try to form sounds into syllables, simple words, and eventually full phrases. It’s a mistake to think that speech development should only be addressed after one year. In fact, it’s a daily task for caregivers: speaking clearly, singing, reading, and simply talking to the child.
6-12 Months – Establishing a Daily Routine
During this time, the child needs to experience the predictability of daily events. This is the best time to establish a routine for sleep, eating, and play. Such a structured schedule is also needed in the child's room, so they can remember where their toys are and where their bed is located.
9-12 Months – Social Development Period
At this time, the baby can recognize familiar people, smile, and babble to some while refusing to go to others. A great activity for this period includes peek-a-boo and finger games (you can use the popular children’s song “Finger Family” as a basis).
By considering these developmental milestones and choosing optimal activities and toys, you are laying an excellent foundation for the child to grow with natural curiosity, gradually revealing their abilities and talents.
A Montessori Nursery: Infant’s First Prepared Environment
Preparing a Montessori nursery for your infant involves more than just setting up a room; it's about creating a carefully curated environment that fosters growth, independence, and exploration.
Creating the Ideal Sleep Environment
In the Montessori approach, the sleeping area is not confined to a traditional crib but instead embraces the concept of a floor bed. This allows infants the freedom to move in and out of bed at their own pace, promoting self-reliance and confidence. By providing a low, accessible sleeping space, parents encourage their kids to explore their surroundings safely while developing essential motor skills.
Designing with Montessori Principles
Central to Montessori design is the use of natural, child-sized materials that stimulate curiosity and encourage exploration.
- Natural materials are safe for children and beneficial for developing their senses. That’s why Maria Montessori, alongside traditional toys, encourages children to see and hold simple natural objects like twigs, stones, leaves, bundles of grass, sand, and wet clay—everything that is freely available in their environment. At home, this includes soft cotton, satin, or linen items, the use of wood, and other natural materials in the room's design.
- The environment should be adapted for the child. Low chairs, floor shelves for toys and books, and a learning tower for the kitchen—all these elements allow the child to actively engage with their surroundings and increasingly navigate the space independently without parental help.
- Simplicity and order are also key principles of designing a child’s space. A child can become overwhelmed in a room cluttered with too many elements. The fewer things and the more organized the room is, the better for the child’s perception and even their ability to develop concentration.
At its heart, the Montessori design approach is centered on the child—their stages of development, current needs, abilities, and even their personality. In such a space, children feel comfortable, confident, and curious.
Montessori Toys for 0-12 Months Infants
When selecting toys for a Montessori nursery, focus on items that are simple, open-ended, and conducive to exploration. Toys that encourage problem-solving, creativity, and independent play are ideal. Wooden puzzles, stacking blocks, and shape sorters not only entertain but also promote cognitive development and fine motor skills. Parents empower their children to learn through play and exploration by providing various age-appropriate toys.
Safety Matters
Ensuring a safe environment is paramount in a Montessori nursery. Parents must take proactive measures to childproof the space, address potential hazards, and ensure peace of mind. From covering electrical outlets to securing furniture and removing small objects, every precaution is taken to create a secure environment where children can play and learn without unnecessary risks.
Childproofing Essentials
- Cover electrical outlets with safety plugs.
- Secure furniture to the wall to prevent tipping.
- Remove small objects and choking hazards from the floor.
- Install window locks and use cordless blinds or curtains.
- Use corner guards and soft bumpers to protect against sharp edges.
- Gate off stairs until the child can navigate them safely.
Baby Milestones of psychomotor development
Psychomotor development is the process of acquiring motor skills as the infant’s nervous system develops and strengthens. This development happens through active contact with parents (or other caregivers), as well as through interaction with toys, objects, and the environment. Gradually, gross and fine motor skills, perception, cognition, coordination of movement and sight, and later, speech and physical abilities improve. Eventually, social and emotional development is added to this.
The first three months
At this age, the baby hasn’t yet developed a circadian rhythm, doesn’t distinguish night from day, and sleeps over 18 hours a day. During this period, the newborn experiences improvements in motor skills, neck and torso muscles strengthening, and attempts to grasp objects, holding onto parents' fingers. The best activity during this time is to talk calmly with the baby or sing to them, so they can recognize your voice and facial features. During this period, toys like mobiles for visual stimulation can be used, followed later by simple, safe rattles that the baby can grasp and hold for a short time.
From three to six months
From 3 to 6 months, babies start learning to roll onto their stomachs and backs, try to reach for different objects, and begin crawling. Closer to six months, babies try to sit up and hold themselves in this position. When you hold the baby over the bed or floor, they attempt to reach and seem to “jump” with your support.
The baby is ready for simple play as their coordination and ability to focus on interesting objects improves. Safe sensory toys that help develop tactile sensations are great at this stage. A distinctive feature of 3 to 6-month-olds is that they try to drag everything they see into their mouths.
Ideal Montessori toys for 3 to 6 months:
- Sensory massage mats with various textures like pebbles and grass.
- Wooden rings that can be grasped, held, and even licked (ensure all toys are always clean and made from safe, non-toxic materials).
- Sensory Montessori toys in different colors that babies are eager to reach for, crawl towards, and grab.
They are still interested in watching mobiles with toys but now pay more attention to family members and their surroundings, as they can recognize and differentiate between mom, dad, and siblings. Perhaps the most exciting part is that they can now produce not just random sounds but also syllables that may start to have meaning.
From six to nine months
Starting around six months, babies become even more confident, actively crawling, and developing their gross and fine motor skills. They can even begin to grasp objects using their index and thumb fingers instead of their whole hand.
To help the baby develop, you can add pillows and poufs to their play space, creating a safe area for them to play and crawl. One of the best Montessori toys for this period is a permanence box. Games with permanence boxes are Montessori activities for 0 to 12 months, helping the baby understand that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen. For example, if they push a cube or ball into a hole and the object hides inside the box, opening the box reveals the item is still there.
- They can sort through small items. It means you can introduce cardboard or wooden cubes, sensory or massage balls, and rings—all in different colors and sizes. Occasionally offer games that involve sorting by size (bigger or smaller) or categorizing by color. Don't expect perfect results at this stage, as the skill is just beginning to form. The game should be enjoyable, engaging, and filled with love. Skills will develop naturally in the process.
- Babies will also try to say simple words, so reading first books and showing illustrations is perfect for this stage. Choose simple rhymes, easy-to-repeat songs, and articulate sounds clearly. Even if it seems like your baby isn’t paying attention or looking at you, they are absorbing everything (remember the concept of the “absorbent mind”). Baby talk and intentional word distortion can hinder proper speech development.
- Little ones begin to understand when they are not allowed to do something or when they are asked to do something. Try giving simple tasks that are easy to accomplish: “Let's place this block on another one,” for example.
From nine to twelve months
In terms of a baby's development from birth to one year, the period from 9 to 12 months is the most exciting. The child develops so quickly that it feels like they are growing up every minute. Babies start trying to stand, holding onto parents or surrounding objects, take their first steps, and by their first birthday, may even walk without support. They happily clap their hands, say simple words, and try to use utensils.
Montessori activities for 0 to 12 months become more varied and engaging as communication with the baby becomes more interactive. Here’s what you can do during this time:
- Set up a safe play zone for beneficial active exercises. Add Montessori climbing equipment, such as a Montessori Climbing Set, Indoor Jungle Gym, or Climbing Triangle Frame.
- Create a space for safe but active creative play. Enhance the area with a Children’s Play Sofa, which the baby can lean on, use its separate parts to build new constructions, and more. This open-ended toy helps develop motor skills, imagination, physical abilities, and creativity—ideal for little ones who are becoming more active but still need protection and safety with every step.
- Offer a unique Sensory Balance Beam that helps the baby safely develop sensory skills while exploring different textures.
- At this stage, it's also time to involve the baby in family life and activities. Babies can now sit comfortably in a high chair without support, so you can allow them to eat independently (under supervision but without spoon-feeding). They are also curious about what happens in the kitchen—set up a safe table or tower where they can watch, observe, and even "help." Use a transforming kitchen helper to let the child touch grains, sift flour, and feel fruits on the table.
You can also offer Montessori toys for 0 to 12 months, like a children's wooden kitchen, a doll stroller, or push toys (wagons, cars, etc.).
Every day, you’ll notice that your little one can do more, becoming even more curious, skillful, and observant. On this journey, sometimes you’ll need to rely on intuition, assessing the baby’s current level of skills and interests to offer what might captivate them. However, we are here to assist, give guidance, and provide Montessori toys and furniture to make childhood (and your parenting) a pleasant and engaging adventure.