For the last couple of weeks, Gus has had one thing on his mind -- putting his toys in something else. In and out, out and in. Doesn't matter what it is, he wants to put it in something else. Then he wants to retrieve it, and try again. And when I think about it, I get the appeal! Things disappear and then come back! Somethings will fit into another container, somethings will not. Its the motion of his hands, it's the sound of the item dropping. It's all exciting!
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Once I started to notice this interest, I made sure to put out some toys/work to meet this need. I say toys/work because there is really no distinction at this age. His toys are his work. His work are his toys. In Maria Montessori's words, "play is the work of the child." To him, everything he explores in his environment is his toy, and every toy is his work. It's a beautiful entangled dance, one cannot be separated from the other.
If you observe your baby and see an interest -- respond. And, it doesn't have to be complicated, or expensive. Just some simple materials to meet that need. No reason to force an interest or guess at what your child wants or needs. Sit back, watch, and respond.
"We are completely on the wrong track when we believe that expensive toys should keep a child happy...it is the child...who is left to try and do things for himself, left to improvise toys from simple things and use his own ingenuity, who is fortunate." Maria Montessori
Practically, for us, that has meant adding a few materials to Gus' shelves. These included a Montessori peg and cup, a simple bucket with a puzzle piece, an imbucare box, and a thrifted jar with small monkey.
Each serve the purpose of putting something in another thing. They each do so in a little bit different way and Gus is free to explore. You'll notice in the pictures, it was actually his discovery that the orange cylinder fit into the imbucare box too. There's no pressure for him to use the material correctly, just the opportunity to explore. In placing these materials on the shelves, I did model them for him, but then he is free to explore.
Have you noticed a strong interest in your baby? How have you responded?
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