When we found out we were having a second child, I planned to see how few toys I could get away with. The Montessori toys didn't work very well for my kid, especially if the baby could choose between Montessori toys and other toys. My baby chose regular store toys that were right for his age over wooden ones. Now that he's 6 months old, I can say for sure that we only used the play gym. The rest of the toys I bought ended up in a landfill.
Now let me go over the toys I used or DIYed.
First Toys
- Black and White Images. My baby started to stare at the black and white patterns at the day 4 after birth. I noticed accidently that a new born is obsessed with the chair cover. Babies interested in high contrast cards until they are 3-4 months. Free printable by www.tenlittletoes.co.uk
Mobiles
Black-and-white mobiles worked for a few days, but then Max got bored with them. He only liked a DIY Gobbi mobile I made from woolen balls and bells. Octagon Shape Mobile only held his attention for 10 seconds. Another successful thing was DIY mobile out of colored threads and laces. In theory the mobile work, but you got to figure out which one for yourself.
- High Contrast Mobiles. The purpose of this mobile is the same as high contrast cards High Contrast Mobile.
- Octahedron Mobile Octagon Shape DIY ; DIY Montessori Mobile
- Gobbi Mobile
- First Tactile Mobile. Pretty much any mobile that baby can touch – hanging bells, balls, soft toys
Rattles
Store rattles definitely worked and keep on working so far. Montesorri rattles did not worked. He did not like them, because even if they make a noise it was not loud enough.
- Simple Grasping Rattles (Target, Walmart, Amazon)
- Hungry Caterpillar
- Montessori Set
Teethers
I don't like the way wood feels, especially when I know Max will chew on it. But I bought a set of Montessori toys, and my kid doesn't like wood either. The silicone essentially makes everyone happy. It's nice. It's easy to clean and lasts longer than wooden teethers. We have
- 2 silicone rings (one with rattle and another has interlocking teethers)
- 2 teether with gel inside (so I can freeze them)
- Raspberry Teether-pacifier
- Montessori Interlocking Discs (declined by the baby)
- DIY wooden rings with beads (all material is from Michaels)
Hanging Toys and Play Gym
I bought an empty play gym, and I did the right thing. The baby wasn't very interested in the hanging toys and didn't need special Montessori toys. We hang up whatever can be hung up there, and he doesn't mind.
Tummy time toys
My boy hated to be on the tummy, so the only two things i used was black-and-white printouts and mirror
- Mirror - Pretty much any safe mirror that can stand or be hanged on the wall will do the job. Tummy time mirror
- Infantino Busy Board
What else have we used?
Our daddy without consulting have bought another play gym and it was a success.
- Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano Gym
- Balloons!
- Maternity Pillow (as an obstacle course)
- Fisher-Price Stack & Roll Cups
- Fabric Ball by Modern Moments by Gerber Baby Boy or Girl Unisex Plush Developmental Sensory Ball similar from Amazon HABA Rainbow Fabric Ball
What I want to try later on
I though I would try, but it never happened.
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