The first year flies by. Very fast. And between feedings, first smiles, and almost sleepless nights, it’s easy to miss what is really happening to your baby right now - and a lot is happening.

From a Montessori perspective, the baby works and learns constantly. Every waking minute they gather information about the world - through senses, movement, observation, repetition. Our task is to notice what they are currently doing and prepare an environment that supports it.

Here we share: what happens each month, which activities are most meaningful during this period, and specific tools worth having on hand - tested and tried with little ones. 

0-2 months: first attention and beginning of vision

Your newborn, if not sleeping, is watching. Follows light, stops at your face, slows breathing when hearing a familiar voice. These weeks may not seem dramatic from the outside, but their nervous system is processing more now than ever later.

Vision is still developing at this stage, so the baby sees best contrasting, bright images about 20–30 cm away. Colors don’t matter much yet. 

What activities to offer a 0-2 month old baby?

Watching contrasting images.

Black and white pictures, contrast books, and objects placed low attract the baby's gaze and help develop focus. This is one of the first foundations of concentration - holding attention on one object longer.

Practically: place a contrast book next to the baby lying on their back or set it in front of them to see while spending time on their tummy.

Tummy time.

From the first weeks - daily, several times a day. Place something in front of the baby to spark curiosity: a mirror or a contrasting object. This strengthens neck, shoulder, and back muscles - the foundation for all later motor skills.

Watching faces and talking.

The human face is the most attractive stimulus at this age. Speak slowly, smile, show facial expressions. The baby learns the rhythm of speech, emotion recognition, and the first social dialogue long before they can speak themselves.

Tools for babies 0–2 months:

• Black and white contrast book - watercolor-painted, realistic animal images on a contrasting background. Suitable for tummy time, diaper changes, and travel.

• Mirror ball - a classic Montessori tool from the first weeks. Encourages lifting the head on the tummy, exploring reflections, and first light play.

• Newborn set (0–4 months) - contrast book, mirrored ball, ring with ribbons, and crocheted rattle. Everything needed for the first months.

2–4 months: discovering hands and first reaching

You may notice the baby watching their hands longer and longer. Holding them close to their face. Waving them. Trying to put them in their mouth. This is no accident – they are discovering that these strange things belong to them and that they can control them.

At the same time, the first purposeful reaching movements begin to form. At first, they are inaccurate, repetitive, often unsuccessful. But it is through these unsuccessful attempts that the brain learns to coordinate hand and eye – one of the most important processes of this stage.

What activities to offer a 2-4 month old baby?

Touching hanging objects.

A hanging toy within reach naturally invites reaching, touching, repeating. The baby discovers for themselves: when I move my hand – something happens. This is the first understanding of cause and effect.

Practically: hang the ring with ribbons on a stand or hold it above the baby so they can reach it with their hands.

First attempts at grasping.

A light rattle or ring in the hand - the baby learns to grasp, hold, and pass from hand to hand. The process itself is more important than the result. Every time the baby reaches and grabs an object, neural connections form and strengthen in the brain.

Exploring textures.

Different surfaces - soft, rough, slippery - create the first sensory map of the world. Let the baby touch various fabrics, wood, ribbons, textured balls, etc.

Tools for babies 2–4 months old:

• Wooden ring with rainbow ribbons - bright colors, different textures, can be hung or held directly in the hands. Develops crossing the midline.

• Stackable discs - a classic Montessori tool, made in Lithuania. Easy to grasp, encourages passing from hand to hand, also suitable for tummy time.

• Crocheted rattle-apple - soft, safe to chew, with a gentle sound inside. Also made in Lithuania.

4–6 months: oral exploration and an active sensory world

Everything goes into the mouth. Everything. And that’s not a bad thing.

In the mouth at this age, the baby gathers precise information: shape, texture, temperature, weight. This is a very deep sensory exploration, only using the mouth instead of the hand. From a Montessori perspective - you just need to ensure that the objects being explored are suitable and safe for this purpose.

At the same time, the baby begins actively trying to roll over, and their gaze follows moving objects much more accurately. The world expands.

What activities to offer a 4-6 month old baby?

Safe exploration and sensory stimulation.

Objects made of different materials - wood, natural rubber, various fabrics - provide different sensory experiences. Let them explore, watch what they choose.

Transferring objects between hands.

When the baby starts passing an object from one hand to the other, they develop bilateral coordination - the ability to use both sides of the body together. This skill is later needed for eating, drawing, dressing.

Encouraging movement through reaching.

Place the interesting object a little further away - the baby will naturally turn, reach, and roll toward it. This promotes gross motor development without any special training.

Tools for a 4–6 month old baby:

• Basket of sensory balls - 4 balls with different textures in a basket. Suitable for grasping, rolling, and sensory exploration. The basket immediately teaches the constant place of objects.

• Rattle and rings - light, comfortable for small hands, encourages grasping and passing between hands.

• The first puzzle – a board with a mirror - from the first days like a mirror, later like peek-a-boo, even later - the first puzzle. A three-stage tool.

6–8 months: discovering cause and effect

Your baby is currently a scientist. They throw objects and watch what happens. Throw again - watch if the same thing happens. This is not a tantrum or mess. It’s hypothesis testing.

Around this stage, object permanence begins to form: an object exists even when I don’t see it. This understanding is not obvious to a small child and requires a lot of practice.

What activities to offer a 6-8 month old baby?

Object disappearance and reappearance.

Hide a toy under a cloth, let the little one discover it. Let them watch as the ball rolls into the box and disappears. The baby is very serious: where did it go? Is it still there?

Rolling and watching.

A ball rolling at the end of a track confirms the sequence: I do something - something happens. This predictable sequence is the most engaging activity at this age.

Throwing.

Yes, throwing again. Each time - a different sound, a different falling angle, a different reaction from you. The baby is gathering data. Want less noise? Offer a basket with soft balls and let them throw in and out of it.

Tools for a 6–8 month old baby:

• Ball track - the ball rolls, disappears, and appears on the other side. Perfectly meets the needs of this stage: eye tracking, object permanence, cause-and-effect relationship.

• Drawers with coins - a coin is dropped, disappears, the drawer is opened – and it’s there again. A classic Montessori object permanence tool.

• Spinning drum - the spinning toy makes a sound, encourages reaching, watching, and repeating. Perfect to demonstrate action-reaction at this stage.

8–10 months: movement as the main way to explore the world

Is the baby scooting or maybe already crawling? Or just trying – but it’s already clear in their mind: there is something I want to reach, and I will reach it.

At this stage, the environment is the most important tool. The more space to move, the more varied surfaces, the more safe obstacles and hidden corners – the richer the developmental experience. 

What activities to offer an 8-10 month old baby?

Crawling tracks.

Pillows, rollers, mats with different textures – the baby has obstacles to overcome, places to crawl and climb. All large motor muscles are strengthened.

Insertion activities. 

By trying to insert an object into a narrow opening, the baby makes much more precise hand and wrist movements than before. This activity is one of the main ways to develop fine motor skills.

Throwing and rolling.

At this stage, babies actively explore movement and distances – how fast, how far one or another object travels – can I follow?

Tools for 8–10 month old babies:

• Fabric ball - the fabric of a partially inflated ball is easy to grasp, easy to throw, and very curious to follow.

• Rolling cylinder rattle - rolls, sounds, encourages crawling after it. Simple and very effective at this stage.

• Basket of sensory balls - now balls are carried, rolled, put back into the basket. The same tool, but a completely new game.

10–12 months: purposeful actions and first decisions

As the first birthday approaches, you may notice that the little one no longer acts randomly – they plan. They take a toy, come to you, help you with your hands. They watch a cabinet being opened and return to it again and again. These are the first signs of real problem-solving.

At this stage, babies often want to do what adults do. They observe, imitate, and intervene. In the Montessori method, this is considered one of the clearest signs of the desire for independence and it is important to support it rather than redirect it.

What activities to offer a 10-12 month old baby?

Sorting shapes.

By trying to fit a shape into the right slot, the baby works with the basics of analytical thinking: observing, comparing, adjusting, trying again. The joy when it succeeds is real and strong.

The first practical life steps.

Helping to put toys in a basket, handing over an item, wiping the table with a small cloth – all real, meaningful activities that develop coordination and a sense of belonging to the family. No special tools needed – just space and time.

Activities with a clear beginning and end.

At this age, the baby is motivated to finish what they started. Activities with a clear result – everything put in, everything closed, everything in its place – strengthen the ability to focus and complete tasks. This is early concentration training.

Tools for a 10–12 month old baby:

• Montessori set: egg, cube, sphere - at this stage, it can be fully used: putting shapes into containers, taking them out, pouring, sorting.

• Drawers with coins - now the baby understands the whole sequence: put in, open, take out. It’s already a real little game with a beginning and an end.

• Baby skills box (0–18 months) - if you’re looking for one solution for the first 18 months: this box meets at least 18 different needs in stages. With a guide explaining when and what to use.

How to choose Montessori toys for a baby in the first year?

The best tool is not the one with the most functions. The best tool is the one that meets the current need and slightly exceeds the child’s current ability, inviting the next step.

Ask before buying:

• Does this tool match my baby’s current developmental stage?

• Does it encourage active engagement rather than passive observation?

• Is it simple in structure – without excessive sound, light, or distracting elements?

• Can it be used in several stages, or only one?

In a Montessori environment, the baby has access to only a few tools at a time – just a few, carefully selected, replaced every few weeks. Fewer choices = deeper concentration.

In conclusion

The best thing you can give a baby in the first year is not a toy. It’s your attention, a safe environment, and the freedom to explore at their own pace.

Toys are just tools. But the right tools, at the right time, can meaningfully support what matters most to your baby right now.

If you want to start with the essential choice, look at Baby skills box (0–18 months) – one solution for all the first one and a half years stages. 

And if you want to consult - you can always write to us!