Montessori Interlocking Discs: A Key Tool for Your Baby’s Growth
Babies grow and develop rapidly in the months following their birth. Because they are in a sensitive period for movement (a phrase used by Dr. Montessori to mean a point in time or stage in a person's development when they are more responsive to certain stimuli and quicker to learn particular skills), there are certain things we can do to support their development and encourage the skills that they are drawn to practicing. For babies, a sensitive period looks like a moment when the baby develops an irresistible attraction or interest in something. You may notice when your baby learns to grasp objects that, they will spend countless times grasping or attempting to grasp any object they can get their hands on. This is where interlocking discs, a type of wooden toy for infant growth, comes in!
As the name suggests, the interlocking discs are two circular disks interlocked. They are placed together at a 90-degree angle, and you can find them permanently interlocked or fitted together like a puzzle in which the pieces can be separated. It is a tremendous first-grasping toy because of its size and shape, and it is perfectly designed for small hands. When the toy is first introduced (around three months), your baby will likely still have a reflexive grasp. This means they will unintentionally grab objects that come into contact with their fingers and palms. As time passes and they have more exposure to grasping materials, babies will begin to hold objects with intention and experiment with grasping and releasing.
When their hand movements become more refined, the interlocking discs allow babies to practice hand-to-hand transfer, which is an important gross and fine motor skill. The discs being interlocked at a 90-degree angle requires a great deal of wrist movement, which is not a skill that is exercised with many other toys. When your baby uses both hands together to transfer the discs between hands, they are engaging both sides of their brain, or crossing their midline. This developmental milestone is an indication of your baby's evolving movement and coordination. The unique design of the interlocking discs ensures that your baby's motor skills are developing in a comprehensive and balanced manner, providing you with reassurance about their physical development.
As your baby holds the discs in their hand (or hands), they will observe the small details of the wood and the appearance of the discs, which seem to have no end (permanently glued discs). This serves as a visual interest for your baby and encourages visual tracking as they move the discs between hands but maintain focus. Looking at this single object with both eyes also helps to develop their binocularity. The slightest tap can also roll the discs away when placed on the ground because of their circular shape. Your baby's eyes will track the discs as they move, and they will be encouraged to move their bodies to engage with them.
The size and shape of the discs make manipulating them a bit of a challenge, but babies will be able to use this toy for many months. Babies are born explorers who want to learn more about themselves and their environment, and they will enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of manipulating the discs. This quintessential Montessori toy is beautiful and purposeful!
As the name suggests, the interlocking discs are two circular disks interlocked. They are placed together at a 90-degree angle, and you can find them permanently interlocked or fitted together like a puzzle in which the pieces can be separated. It is a tremendous first-grasping toy because of its size and shape, and it is perfectly designed for small hands. When the toy is first introduced (around three months), your baby will likely still have a reflexive grasp. This means they will unintentionally grab objects that come into contact with their fingers and palms. As time passes and they have more exposure to grasping materials, babies will begin to hold objects with intention and experiment with grasping and releasing.
When their hand movements become more refined, the interlocking discs allow babies to practice hand-to-hand transfer, which is an important gross and fine motor skill. The discs being interlocked at a 90-degree angle requires a great deal of wrist movement, which is not a skill that is exercised with many other toys. When your baby uses both hands together to transfer the discs between hands, they are engaging both sides of their brain, or crossing their midline. This developmental milestone is an indication of your baby's evolving movement and coordination. The unique design of the interlocking discs ensures that your baby's motor skills are developing in a comprehensive and balanced manner, providing you with reassurance about their physical development.
As your baby holds the discs in their hand (or hands), they will observe the small details of the wood and the appearance of the discs, which seem to have no end (permanently glued discs). This serves as a visual interest for your baby and encourages visual tracking as they move the discs between hands but maintain focus. Looking at this single object with both eyes also helps to develop their binocularity. The slightest tap can also roll the discs away when placed on the ground because of their circular shape. Your baby's eyes will track the discs as they move, and they will be encouraged to move their bodies to engage with them.
The size and shape of the discs make manipulating them a bit of a challenge, but babies will be able to use this toy for many months. Babies are born explorers who want to learn more about themselves and their environment, and they will enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of manipulating the discs. This quintessential Montessori toy is beautiful and purposeful!
