The Octahedron Mobile: Enhancing Infant Development with The Power of Primary Colors
Babies' eyes develop rapidly after birth, and in just a few short weeks they are ready for new challenges, like moving from the high contrast black and white Munari mobile to the more subtle primary colors of the Octahedron Mobile. The Octahedron is the second mobile in the series of Montessori visual mobiles. It is characterized by its three octahedra in Primary colors hung from a wooden dowel. Like the Munari mobile, the Octahedron further develops an infant's eyesight while introducing them to the primary colors and more math concepts.
Octahedra are eight-sided, three-dimensional shapes consisting of equilateral triangles. While the Munari introduced your baby to two-dimensional shapes, the Octahedron takes this learning journey further by introducing your baby to three-dimensional shapes. The transition from the flat shapes of the Munari to the three-dimensional shapes of the Octahedron mirrors the growth of your baby, as they need new, more challenging stimulation to catch their interest and hold their concentration.
The first formal introduction to color is through the Octahedron Mobile. This mobile utilizes the primary colors because they are the most contrasting colors on the color wheel. While initially it may be a challenge for them to see the difference between the three, these vivid colors are purposely chosen to give enough challenge without being overwhelming. The red Octahedron is hung the lowest, closest to the infant's face because red is one of the colors infants learn to recognize first. The yellow is in the middle range, and blue is the highest or the furthest from the infant's face. The varied heights allow the infant time to focus on the individual components of the mobile to really absorb each of the primary colors and learn to differentiate between them.
The octahedrons are made of reflective or metallic paper to add another level of interest and provide more depth. The paper reflects light to catch the infant's attention and hold their concentration for extended periods. As the lightweight pieces of the mobile can move with airflow, the child can see the different sides of the three-dimensional shape and how light reflects off all the other points. Placing the mobile near a window will provide a strong focal point as the natural light shines on the mobile and reflects off. This can engage infants for extended periods as they take in all this new information through the beautiful mobile design.
While it may seem simple, the Octahedron Mobile is actually serving many purposes and further developing skills in the newborn baby. The mobile plays a crucial role in developing your baby's visual tracking and binocularity. The moving objects not only capture their attention but also encourage them to use both eyes together and switch their gaze between objects. This not only enhances their cognitive development but also introduces them to more complex mathematical concepts. Moreover, it engages and strengthens their muscles by providing opportunities for head and neck movement, core engagement, and arm movement as they reach for the mobile. This mobile is not only beautiful but also a key tool in your baby's cognitive growth.
Octahedra are eight-sided, three-dimensional shapes consisting of equilateral triangles. While the Munari introduced your baby to two-dimensional shapes, the Octahedron takes this learning journey further by introducing your baby to three-dimensional shapes. The transition from the flat shapes of the Munari to the three-dimensional shapes of the Octahedron mirrors the growth of your baby, as they need new, more challenging stimulation to catch their interest and hold their concentration.
The first formal introduction to color is through the Octahedron Mobile. This mobile utilizes the primary colors because they are the most contrasting colors on the color wheel. While initially it may be a challenge for them to see the difference between the three, these vivid colors are purposely chosen to give enough challenge without being overwhelming. The red Octahedron is hung the lowest, closest to the infant's face because red is one of the colors infants learn to recognize first. The yellow is in the middle range, and blue is the highest or the furthest from the infant's face. The varied heights allow the infant time to focus on the individual components of the mobile to really absorb each of the primary colors and learn to differentiate between them.
The octahedrons are made of reflective or metallic paper to add another level of interest and provide more depth. The paper reflects light to catch the infant's attention and hold their concentration for extended periods. As the lightweight pieces of the mobile can move with airflow, the child can see the different sides of the three-dimensional shape and how light reflects off all the other points. Placing the mobile near a window will provide a strong focal point as the natural light shines on the mobile and reflects off. This can engage infants for extended periods as they take in all this new information through the beautiful mobile design.
While it may seem simple, the Octahedron Mobile is actually serving many purposes and further developing skills in the newborn baby. The mobile plays a crucial role in developing your baby's visual tracking and binocularity. The moving objects not only capture their attention but also encourage them to use both eyes together and switch their gaze between objects. This not only enhances their cognitive development but also introduces them to more complex mathematical concepts. Moreover, it engages and strengthens their muscles by providing opportunities for head and neck movement, core engagement, and arm movement as they reach for the mobile. This mobile is not only beautiful but also a key tool in your baby's cognitive growth.
