At ten months, your baby is becoming more curious and mobile. They are eager to try standing by holding onto your hands or pulling up on the crib rails or playpen. It is a period when your child is actively paying attention to everything around them—sounds, new toys, and areas that were previously out of reach. Crawling around the room, your little one begins to explore the contents of toy boxes and even the lower shelves of your wardrobe. Keeping a close eye on them is key during this stage.
The Best Games and Activities You Should Try with Babies
Currently, 10-month-old Montessori activities aim to develop gross motor skills and sensory exploration. On the one hand, your baby is becoming more adept at exploring and understanding their surroundings, and on the other, they still need to strengthen their physical abilities. Depending on your infant’s mood and current physical and cognitive skills, you can offer different daily activities.
Below, we've listed some engaging and beneficial activities for a 10-month-old, but that doesn't mean you should try them all at once. Pick what suits your kiddo today, mix and match, or adapt the activities to fit your baby's unique needs.
Playing with Large Wooden Puzzles with Pegs or Without
You might notice that your baby “tests” books or toys for durability by biting, shaking, or throwing them. At this age, toddlers are capable of focusing on simple tasks, so they choose large puzzles that are easy for them to handle. Wooden puzzles with pegs are ideal because tiny fingers can easily grip them. Plus, even if your baby decides to taste the puzzle pieces, it's not harmful if the toy is made from untreated wood.
Start with simple shapes like fruits, vegetables, cars, or animals—things that are easy for your baby to recognize and fit together. Even if they can't yet solve the puzzle, handling and gripping the pieces is beneficial for developing their motor and sensory skills. Be sure to choose puzzles with calming colors to avoid overstimulating their nervous system.
Montessori Discovery Bottles
These bottles can be purchased or made at home. You can fill them with rice, beads, or colored water. Your baby can shake, tilt, and compare each bottle's sounds, colors, and appearances. This simple activity introduces your child to various textures, sounds, and colors, helping them learn to observe and notice differences between similar objects.
Push and Pull Toys
You might consider opting for a doll stroller for girls and a push car for boys, but the decision isn't crucial. You could use a car for a girl or a stroller for a boy, or even create your DIY toy by attaching a string to an object and letting your little one pull it around.
This activity helps develop mobility and motor skills while teaching cause and effect—understanding that the object moves when pushed or pulled. You can make the game more challenging by attaching strings of different colors to corresponding colored objects and asking your baby to pull the correct color one at a time.
Sorting Objects by Shape or Color
This activity is similar to what Cinderella did—sorting toys, blocks, fruits, or other items by color and shape. It's simple yet highly beneficial. To sort, your baby must:
- Pick up the item (enhancing sensory and motor skills),
- Examine and assess it (developing cognitive skills and problem-solving),
- Place it in the correct spot (promoting organization and understanding the concept of sorting).
Try to ask them to separate only round items, only square ones, or fruits, for example. Feel free to modify the game by adding new elements to make it more fun. The key is to maintain your kid’s interest, so avoid too tricky tasks.
Crawling and Playing with Physical Activity
All of these activities are dynamic, making them exciting for your baby. However, since they are still relatively small, the games and exercises should be appropriate for their physical abilities. You can incorporate 10-month-old Montessori activities into playtime on a soft mat, using sensory toys, massage mats, or even low Montessori climbing structures or balance boards.
A balance board can be used as a rocking toy for fun or even as a cradle where your baby can rest or nap. If you flip the climbing structure upside down, your baby can crawl over it, practicing balance, gripping, and coordinating their movements. You can also ask your baby to crawl under the “bridge” or use it as part of pretend play.
Always supervise your child during these activities if you're using any climbing equipment, even safe and reliable Montessori options!
Playing by a Low Bookshelf
A low bookshelf is a perfect place to store a few cardboard books with bold pictures and some toys. Periodically change the “selection” to keep your baby engaged. Place here stacking rings, wooden or cardboard blocks, or animal figures on the shelf. Your baby can spend a few minutes exploring the shelf, discovering new objects, and coming up with new games using familiar items.
Outdoor Play
When you go for a walk or spend time in your backyard, there's a world of exciting things for your 10-month-old to discover. They can take steps on the grass, listen to different sounds, collect pebbles or sticks, play in the sand, or examine leaves of various shapes.
If the weather permits, always make time for outdoor activities. Being outside is incredibly beneficial for sensory development. Moreover, it fosters an early connection with nature, encourages observation, and provides a calming effect. Outdoor play can even help prepare your baby for sleep, as the day's experiences and activities will make them feel tired and ready to rest when they return home.
Final Thoughts
By introducing these 10-month-old Montessori activities, you help your little ones understand, perceive, and explore the world around them with ease. These activities also help to boost their physical abilities, allowing them to develop at their own pace. Choose a few activities to try with your baby today, and remember—there's no need to aim for perfection. Just enjoy the time you spend together!