When I made my very first DIY Montessori mobile, the Munari, which takes the longest to make, I remember thinking, ‘wow, it took me so long to make this and my baby’s going to use it for only a couple of weeks!’ This is what all the Montessori gurus suggest, right? Well yes, generally speaking it is right (every baby develops in a different pace)! There are, however, a few tips and tricks that are not so widely known which can prolong the lifetime of these gorgeous mobiles. Some you might have already discovered, either intuitively or by chance. Read on to learn a whole arsenal of ideas to make the most of your Montessori mobiles!
When you first present a new Montessori mobile to your baby…
… It is always best to follow the suggested method, which is to place it above their chest at a 30cm (12 inch) height so that they can observe it comfortably. Please always monitor your little one because the mobiles are not toys. S/he should be able to see it but not touch it.
…it should not be moving so your baby can observe it at their pleasure. Later you can try to blow on it to make it move gently.
Then, if you have it, put it on a mobile rotator on the slowest setting to provide constant movement.
If it’s a line mobile…
…such as the Octahedron or the Gobbi, present it in different directions. When it is hung the traditional way across your baby’s chest, the length of the mobile will encourage them to move their head from left to right while observing each element. When you hang the mobile so that it aligns from head to toe, your little one will be invited to move their head in a different way. You can then experiment hanging them at an angle, seeing if their curiosity is aroused.
When presenting the Animal Mobiles
With the Montessori Animal Mobiles ( the Swallows, the Butterflies and the Whales) first hang only three elements so that your baby can familiarise themselves with the mobile. Then, when your little one is ready, you can hang the other two elements.
Other ideas
If you have a mirror next to your baby’s movement area (read about how to set up a Montessori baby space here), put the mobile in front of it, like on this picture. It literally adds a whole new dimension!
Take your Montessori mobile outside and hang it from a tree. Let the breeze make it move in a random, whimsical way.
A bonus tip:
Just because your baby has ‘grown out’ of the traditional mobiles, it doesn’t mean that they can’t use them anymore. From time to time you can take the early ones out again, they will observe them with their improved, new visual skills.
Before you go to my Shop page and buy all the mobiles from there, learn about the Montessori myths and be realistic about your expectations toward the materials and towards you baby, too.
Make sure that you avoid the most common Montessori mobile mistakes.
What should YOU do while your baby is occupied?
Simply nothing. Sit, observe and try not to talk. This is your baby’s ‘work time’ when they build their concentration so we have to allow them to fully focus. They will let us know when they are ready for a change. How, you might wonder? The most common sign is that they turn their head away and start to look at something else. They might start to make noises similar to distress or even cry so you know that you can take the mobiles away.
Don’t forget, even though the suggested time for each mobile is about two weeks, the emphasis here is on the ‘suggested’. Every baby is different, so make sure that you observe your baby and only change the mobile when your little one is ready to take on another visual challenge.
FINAL THOUGHTS
These are my top tips on making the most use out of your Montessori mobiles. Whichever way captures your baby’s attention, the most important thing is to enjoy the time you share with your little one. Head over to my Etsy shop to look at the available Montessori mobiles.
Click on the links to read more about how the Montessori Visual Mobiles, the Montessori Tactile Mobiles or the Sensory Baby Play help your baby’s development.
I’d love to see your baby using one of the Montessori mobiles! Please share your photos on my Instagram site. #montessoriedited, @montessoriedited