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“He does it with his hands, by experience, first in play and then through work. The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.”

— Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

Dahlia is four months old! This month she has found her hands and feet, and can clasp her hands together. She can spend hours staring at her hands and reaching for objects. She can now grab objects next to her and discover and manipulate them. She often stares meticulously at them, or carefully mouths them. She also enjoys singing, her favorite is songs about butterflies (she gets huge grins and “sings” with me, cooing loudly as I sing).

Dahlia is also in the middle of the fourth mental developmental leap, world of events. Before now, she could only perceive one transition at a time. She can now perceive events, and uses all of her senses to perceive short series of transitions and sensations. These smoother transitions are also what allows her to begin to be able to grab items intentionally. She can adjust her hand movement in one smooth transition to another, in order to grab items near by. She is also beginning to manipulate her toys, by shaking them or banging them. Babies also become fascinated at events happening at this age. The dog chewing a bone, or the trees moving in the wind may catch their attention. I help facilitate her observations by moving her so she can clearly watch what piques her interest, and being conscious of those observations. She is beginning to sit unassisted in her high chair, and this has been her favorite place to be because she can clearly watch the happenings of our home in clear view.

This has been an exciting month in Dahlia’s development, my guess: she will be sitting on her own by next month!

Activities

Stylised Wooden Figures Mobile (butterflies) 3+ months

The stylized wooden figure mobile in the final mobile of the visual mobile series. It is made up of different elements made of wood that has realistic movement. Common stylized figures include whales, birds, waves, or butterflies. These provide visual stimulation, and also provide stimulation for reaching, grasping, and batting. I made my mobile, and used these butterflies hung on fishing line.

Butterfly Song (sung to the tune of ABC’s)

Flitter, flutter butterfly,

Flying in the big, blue sky.

Flitter high, flitter low.

Flitter fast, flitter slow.

Flitter, flutter butterfly,

Flying in the big, blue sky.

Three Color Spheres 3-4 months

This mobile is made up of three spheres of red, yellow, and blue, with darkest (blue) hanging the lowest. Unlike the other mobiles, this mobile is meant for batting, so it is to be hung closer to the child, within the distance that the child can bat at it at chest height. It also needs to be sturdy, and the spheres must be large enough to not be a choking hazard, but small enough that the baby can grab it. This provides visual development, as well as stimulation for reaching and grasping and hand-eye coordination and focus.

Dahlia looking at a wood book and interlocking rings.

Wood book 4 months

The wood book is the first book introduced to baby. It is simple, with alluring pictures inside. The baby can hold the solid pages, and explore and mouth it. Practice modeling reading with baby, and show how to turn the pages. This is great for visual stimulation, as well as fine motor skills. Here’s a similar book to mine.

Interlocking Rings 4 months

The interlocking rings are made up of 3-4 rings made of wood, metal, or silicon. The child can practice grasping with their whole hand or their fingers, and may wave it around to make different sounds depending on the material. This is a similar one to mine.

Disk on a Ribbon 4-5 months

The disk on a ribbon includes an attractive, colorful ribbon at least 2cm thick, and a large light weight ring made out of wood, rubber, or silver. It is suspended with elastic with in the child’s reach, at chest height. The child may bat, reach, and grab the ring and bring it towards their mouth. The ring should be big enough for the child to fit their hand through in order to grasp. This offers visual development, as well as stimulation for reaching, grasping, and batting.

Bells on a Strap 4 months

This is made up of a dowel, and a strap with 3 bells attached. The child can grasp the dowel and shake it to create sound, and manipulate it. This provides auditory stimulation and tactile experience. You can make one, or purchase this one.

Home Objects 3-4 months

A variety of different home objects provided in a basket for exploration. These should be things that are beautiful and stimulating. Examples include: honey dipper, wooden clothes pins, a spoon (wooden or metal), a whisk, different bangles, key chains, and coasters. This provides grasping and manipulating experiences and allows the child to explore the use of their hands. They may grasp, transfer from hand to hand, and mouth the objects. Ensure the objects are not sharp and don’t pose a choking hazard.

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.