We've put together a detailed list of at-home Montessori-aligned activities suitable for a 3-month-old.
Here you will see age-appropriate activities for all areas, in our Ultimate Series Of Activities to try at home, where the emphasis is on providing a prepared environment and allowing the child to actively engage in self-directed learning.
So what is my child working on mastering at this age?
Between the 3-6 month age, baby's primary focus is on sensorimotor development, encouraging exploration through senses such as touch, sight, and hearing. Your baby is also beginning to develop basic motor skills, including grasping and reaching. Language exposure is important, and caregivers are encouraged to provide a language-rich environment. Additionally, fostering a sense of security and routine lays the foundation for your child's overall well-being.
1. Visual Stimulation:
* Offer a visually stimulating mobile; the Montessori dancers mobile with basic geometric shapes will reflect light and capture babies attention to encourage visual tracking.
* Use soft cloth books with beautiful high-contrast illustrations for visual stimulation.
* Soft, Baby-Safe Mirror: Introduce a baby-safe mirror for your baby to observe their own reflection.
2. Tummy Time and Movement:
* Start with short, supervised tummy time sessions to promote neck and upper body strength.
* Use a rolled-up blanket or small cushion to support baby during tummy time.
* Soft Play Mat: Provide a soft play mat for tummy time and movement exploration.
* Place visually interesting toys within baby's reach to encourage reaching and swatting.
3. High-Contrast Objects:
* Provide simple, high-contrast toys with bold patterns for visual engagement.
* Use black and white board books with clear images for visual stimulation.
* Introduce a soft, black and white Montessori sensory ball for your baby to grasp.
4. Soft Textures and Fabrics:
* Place soft, textured fabrics in baby's environment for tactile exploration.
* Soft Cloth Books: Choose cloth books with different textures for tactile exploration.
* Offer a soft, plush lovey or blanket for your baby to hold during cuddle sessions.
* Textured balls: Provide baby with different textured balls, such as soft, fuzzy, or bumpy ones, to let them feel and squeeze them.
5. Auditory Stimulation:
* Music: Play soft and soothing music or sing to the baby to stimulate their hearing and language development.
* Engage in gentle, rhythmic sounds or soft humming during feeding or cuddle time.
* Maintain a quiet and calm environment to support auditory comfort.
6. Interaction with Faces:
* Engage in face-to-face interactions, making eye contact and expressing warmth.
* Offer a soft, plush toy with a friendly face for baby to focus on.
* Use a soft-touch book with photos of diverse baby faces, showing happy, sad, sleepy faces. You can make the same expressions.
7. Encourage Hand and Foot Awareness:
* Allow the baby to discover and explore their hands and feet during supervised play, avoiding swaddles, mittens and booties which can restrict movement and exploration.
* Use a soft, baby-safe gym with hanging toys for baby to bat and and reach out at.
* Encourage gentle grasping and holding of soft, textured objects.
* Offer Montessori interlocking circles.
8. Skin-To-Skin Cuddling and Bonding:
* Gentle Stroking Items: Use soft items for gentle stroking during skin-to-skin bonding.
* Create a cosy and quiet cuddle space with soft blankets for bonding time.
* Engage in gentle rocking or swaying motions while holding your baby for cuddle time.
* Massage: Gently massage your baby's body to stimulate their touch and bonding with you.
9. Nature and Outdoor Exposure:
* If weather permits, take the baby for short, supervised outdoor walks to experience natural elements.
* Allow baby to feel the warmth of sunlight and a gentle breeze during outdoor time. Note: babies under 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight.
* Pinecones: Include safe, natural items like pinecones or fabric versions for visual and tactile stimulation.
* Introduce board books with beautiful illustrations of nature for exploration.
10. Parental Interaction:
* Engage in conversations with your baby, narrating what you are doing or describing what they are seeing, to help them develop their listening and communication skills.
* Respond to baby's coos and sounds with warmth and respect.
* Engage in eye contact and facial expressions during interactions.
* Establish a predictable daily routine to create a sense of security.
* Observation: Observe your baby carefully and respectfully, without interrupting or distracting them, to learn about their needs, interests, and preferences.
11. The Whole Child Development:
* Attend our weekly SensorStory Baby and Toddler Montessori parent-child sensory classes! Follow this link to enrol your infant here.
We hope we have given you some inpiration for activities to do with your 3-month-old!
Remember, follow the child, adapting activities based on your observation of your baby's developmental stage and individual interests. The key in a Montessori environment is to provide your child with real, purposeful, and age-appropriate tools and materials that allow them to engage in activities independently and at their own pace.
Disclaimer: Adult supervision is required for any activity suggested by SensorStory. Please follow any directions and/or warnings on the labels(s) of any materials used during such activity & be aware of any potential choking hazards or allergies.
Click here to see our
Activities To Do With A 4 Month Old
FAQ.