Montessori baby environments are sometimes knows for their wonderful array of mobiles. Montessori mobiles provide just enough stimulation to meet the developmental needs of a baby. Therefore, as a baby changes and grows, the mobiles changes to meet the needs of a child at that particular stage. The visual mobiles are wonderful for smaller babies, but as a baby starts to learn to move, a tactile mobile can be introduced.
A tactile mobile is one that is meant to be touched, grabbed, tasted or otherwise manipulated. These mobiles might create a sound to start to connect the baby's movements to a response. They may be interesting to mouth or fun a texture to touch. The possibilities are open ended, but here are some popular Montessori friendly tactile mobiles!
Bell on Ribbon Mobile
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The bell on a ribbon mobile is often the first of the tactile mobiles introduced. It can be introduced when a baby starts to move more voluntarily. Soon they will connect the motions to the sound they hear when they hit the bell. This is an easy DIY, or they can be purchased. This is mine.
The bell on a ribbon mobile is often the first of the tactile mobiles introduced. It can be introduced when a baby starts to move more voluntarily. Soon they will connect the motions to the sound they hear when they hit the bell. This is an easy DIY, or they can be purchased. This is mine.
Ring on Ribbon
A ring on a ribbon is another great early tactile mobile! This is perfect for when a baby starts to grasp or bring things to his/her mouth. Again, you can purchase these or they are a fairly easy DIY.
Another fun variation is to use a large metal ring instead of a wooden ring. Here is a good example of the metal ring!
Another fun variation is to use a large metal ring instead of a wooden ring. Here is a good example of the metal ring!
Simple Hanging Toy
Tactile mobiles don't have to be expensive, or complicated. Many common baby toys can be used to create simple mobiles to kick, grasp, bat, or pull. We used a variety of common toys including this, this, and this. I also think these handmade crocheted toys would make excellent tactile mobiles. Or, you could totally DIY your own!
Primary Colors Wooden Disks
I don't own this mobile, so no pictures. But here is a great example from How We Montessori. The mobile is for batting at, and includes 3 wooden interlocking disks painted in primary colors. It's a great choice for a baby that is starting to hit things more intentionally.
Puzzle Ball
A puzzle ball also makes a perfect tactile mobile. For this mobile, you can use a puzzle ball alone or tie a bell to the ribbon as well. I used elastic to hang the mobile so that it was bouncy and flexible. This is a great tactile mobile for kicking.
If you are crafty, you can make your own puzzle ball. Although, I’ll warn you it wasn’t super easy for a novice like me. Or you can purchase one like this.
If you are crafty, you can make your own puzzle ball. Although, I’ll warn you it wasn’t super easy for a novice like me. Or you can purchase one like this.
Bell Chime Mobile
The bell chime mobile makes such a fantastic sound! This mobile is made from little wooden bells that are rung as a baby grabs on to the wooden ring. I’ve seen them all natural like ours, or more colorful (like this one). I’ve also seen people DIY this mobile! This is ours.
This mobile was a good one to introduce when your baby is solidly grasping and movements have become more coordinated.
This mobile was a good one to introduce when your baby is solidly grasping and movements have become more coordinated.
Ribbon Mobile
This DIY ribbon mobile was the final tactile mobile that I made for Gus when he was a tiny baby. He loved to grab and eat fabric and this was a great way to make that happen. A similar mobile could be made with more natural materials {like leaves or flowers} or with play silks!
I am certain that there are other possibilities for tactile mobile than these listed here! These are just a few examples of mobiles that I have used or seen used in Montessori spaces. And, you by no means need EVERY single one of these. Follow your own baby's interests and developmental stages to decide when and if you will introduce any particular tactile mobile to your baby!
I am certain that there are other possibilities for tactile mobile than these listed here! These are just a few examples of mobiles that I have used or seen used in Montessori spaces. And, you by no means need EVERY single one of these. Follow your own baby's interests and developmental stages to decide when and if you will introduce any particular tactile mobile to your baby!
Looking for visual mobiles? Check here for more information!
Do you use tactile mobiles? Which was your baby's favorite?
