This past week I introduced the last mobile that I plan on giving to Theodore to interact with. It's such a big moment and I can't believe that we are already moving past one of my favorite parts of having a Montessori baby. These early months are so quick. One day your helpless little newborn is staring at the Munari mobile is slow and steady wonder and then next your big old baby is grabbing the a tactile mobile with such vigor that you hope he doesn't pull it down!
I thought that I would just quickly recap the mobiles I used with Teddy. I didn't write about them as much this time but they were every bit as important to Teddy's day-to-day routine as Nora and Gus. These have been so wonderful, and honestly the DIY versions have been used more than any other DIY I have ever made. So, here's a small recap of the order we introduced the mobiles in.
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Munari Inspired
When: Used from birth
Hit or Miss: Hit, Teddy loved it
Purchased or DIY: DIY
Traditional Munari
When: Used from birth
Hit or Miss: Hit, he especially loved the clear ball
More Information: This one was from MontiKids, I used because I could not get my DIY to balance correctly, it was a gorgeous option
Purchased or DIY: c/o MontiKids
Octahedron
When: 5 weeks
Hit or Miss: HUGE hit
More Information: Teddy spent a very long time with this mobile and it has been a favorite of all my babies
Purchased or DIY: DIY
Bell on Ribbon
When: 8 weeks
Hit or Miss: Hit, he used happy for a long time
Purchased or DIY: purchased from Essential Montessori
Gobbi Mobile
When: 11 weeks
Hit or Miss: miss; around this time Teddy got influenza so this mobile was introduced a little late and he just wasn't as into it
Purchased or DIY: DIY
Primary Colors Mobile
When: 13 weeks
Hit or Miss: HUGE hit
More Information: absolutely the mobile Teddy has engaged the longest and best with, perfect for batting and grabbing at things, he loved it for so, so long. It was used daily until around 18 weeks.
Purchased or DIY: purchased from a shop that has since gone out of business, I will update if I find another shop making one
Dancers Mobile
When: 13 weeks
Hit or Miss: miss - he did not care, he just fussed until we replaced the tactile mobiles. This maybe should have been introduced to him a bit earlier
Purchased or DIY: DIY
Ring on Ribbon
When: 16 weeks
Hit or Miss: miss - it's not that Teddy didn't like this mobile, it's that it was just too easy. He was so into the primary colors that I didn't introduce as early as I should have and he just mastered it quickly and wanted the other one
Purchased or DIY: purchased from Essential Montessori
Rainbow Ribbon
When: 17 weeks
Hit or Miss: hit, he loves this and continues to use this one daily for long periods of time
Purchased or DIY: DIY
Bell Chime
When: 19 weeks
Hit or Miss: hit
More Information: this has been an immediate hit and makes the most lovely soundPurchased or DIY : purchased from Essential Montessori
Now, there are other choices I could have included here - I could have done butterflies and whales as well. But, Teddy just didn't seem that into the visual mobiles toward the end. Where Gus needed more time to develop his visual skills, Teddy is far more interested in moving, touching and exploring. It's a great example that every baby is different and every child should be followed, not some pre-described plan.
Which is another reminder for me to tell you that you don't need all of these mobiles. I have a lot because it's my passion to share Montessori information with the world. Therefore, I need experience with them. I've also had three children use them, so add a mobile or two each time and you end up with a lot! Follow your child, and choose those you feel best fit your family.
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