What babies learn from month 0 - 6 months

The first 6 months of your baby

Welcome home, baby! The arrival of your new family member brings plenty of joy and excitement, as well as new responsibilities (hello, round the clock feedings and diaper changes!). It’s certainly a time for learning–not only for new parents, but for babies, too!

Yes, this tiny human is primed for learning. From birth to age 6 months, babies’ brains and bodies develop at an incredible speed. The neurons in a baby’s brain are rapidly firing and connecting, setting them up for a lifetime of exploration and growth. The more engaging experiences that a baby has during the first three years of life, the better. By the end of age 1, a baby’s brain doubles in size. By age 3, the brain has already reached 80% of its adult volume.

No doubt, parents want to do everything possible to make their babies’ first months comfortable and engaging. But, as new parents know, time is limited and fleeting. Having your baby’s toys already thoughtfully selected and ready for use when the baby settles into your home will save precious time. 

Designed by moms, proofed by experts

This is where Tribu boxes play a big role. We deliver beautifully crafted, expert-approved Montessori-style toys to your home. Each Tribu box contains a variety of developmentally appropriate toys suitable for your baby’s age. There are different boxes for age periods up to 3 years old. We take the guesswork out of toy selection so you have more quality time with your baby.  

Simply return the toy box to Tribu when your baby is ready for the next set of toys. We’ll automatically deliver the next box straight to your front door. 

Sustainable toys

A huge bonus: Tribu saves not only time, but the environment; instead of ending up in the landfill, all toys are shared among Tribu families. That’s a lot of wonderful playtime memories and a brighter future for all our children.

Here’s what to expect during the first three months with a new baby.

0 to 3 Months: Reflexes, Sensory Development, and Bonding

Your newborn is a keen observer who is eager to learn. From birth to 3 months, babies rely on their reflexes. They hear a sudden, loud noise? Bam! Their hands go up in “I surrender” fashion. Put your finger in their tiny hands? They grasp onto your finger. Sweet and amusing! It’s no wonder our phones’ memories are 90% baby photos and videos.

Babies will do more intentional movement with their hands at around 3 months old. Until then, your baby will enjoy slowly practicing its grasp with rattles and your fingers.

Were you playing music and chatting to your baby prior to birth? Good! Most babies come into the world with good hearing. They love hearing your familiar voice. Talk, sing, and read to your baby! Introduce toys like rattles that make interesting sounds. 

In the first three months, babies are slowly but steadily developing social emotional skills. Relaxed playtime with your baby builds a bond that will show in your baby’s smiles, eye contact, and laughter.

Babies are born with undeveloped eyesight, so these first months are about training optic nerves to develop–while not overstimulating them. They can see about 20 to 30 cm in front of their faces. They see high contrast black and white images best, along with shades of gray.  

Tribu’s Hedgehog Box: Curated for Babies Age 0-3 Months

Tribu has gathered together the best toys to stimulate the growth of your newborn baby. Here’s how Tribu toys help your child the first 3 months.

• The Black and White Contrast Book contains crisp images that give your baby something to focus on in a world that’s mostly blurry. Your baby will delight in hearing you describe the images in the book. Yes, this is the baby’s first literacy experience! Introducing a book at this early age will help your baby become a bookworm later on. 
• The Black and White Contrast Cards feature simple images and patterns that are sure to catch your baby's attention and help develop its eye muscles and brain to coordinate and function properly. You can use these cards anytime: while nursing your baby, during tummy time, in the car, etc.
• The classic Montessori Munari Mobile is the best mobile to start with. Its elegant black and white patterns help further with your baby's developing eyesight. Place it above your baby’s crib or diaper changing surface. 
• The Octahedron Mobile is another classic Montessori mobile, a great choice to follow the Munari Mobile. Its primary colors and beautiful design give your baby’s fast-developing eyesight a challenge. Plus, aren’t these colorful shapes as lovely as jewels?
• The Newborn Rattle is your baby’s ideal first rattle. With its elegant design and bright pops of color, it’s sure to please your baby’s ears and developing eyesight. 
• The Seed Rattle is another wonderful newborn baby rattle. Its gentle sound is so pleasant! 
• The Grasping Rings is a lovely wooden toy that stimulates your baby’s developing motor development and coordination. 
• The Music Box features a simple color scheme, playful animal features, and charming music. It’s certain to spark a love for music. 

3 - 6 Months: Movement, Language, Socializing, and Pops of Color

Get ready for your baby to roll, observe, and babble! Starting at 3 months, babies begin to move their bodies with purpose. They become fascinated by the people and objects in their environment and start to explore using their senses. They’re also developing language and social skills. 

By 3 months, babies reach out to grab what they want. They will also attempt to put the objects in their mouths–probably unsuccessfully, at first. At 4 months, babies can pick up larger objects but will initially have a difficult time releasing them. Practicing with toys now will improve your baby’s control of grasp and grip.

Babies at this age love their parents’ familiar voices, especially if they’re high-pitched. Maybe you’ve heard about “Baby Talk”: adults speaking to babies in a sing-song style. Baby Talk appeals to babies because the words are slowed down, hyper articulated, and easier for babies to understand. Musical instruments are another great way to stimulate babies’ hearing. 

Eyesight at 3 months of age is rapidly improving. Babies can see farther away than before and are excited about human faces. Color vision is also developing, so babies will often seek out bright, colorful objects at this time. 

Mouthing objects like rattles and grasping toys is developmentally appropriate and encouraged! Babies are exploring texture, size, and taste. It is also a relief method for teething discomfort. All Tribu toys are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized upon return so that each newly delivered box is fresh and ready for baby’s safe exploration.

Tummy time continues to be important for the proper physical development of your baby’s neck and torso. Toys help keep your baby interested and occupied during this sometimes uncomfortable new practice. The mirrors, rattles, and books in Tribu boxes are especially helpful tummy time toys. 

Tribu’s Mouse Box: Specially Designed for Babies Age 3-6 Months

Here’s how Tribu toys help your baby in the exciting 3 to 6 month time period.

• The Interlocking Discs wooden toy helps your baby perfect its grasp. Popular among Montessori families for over 70 years, this classic toy is a fun challenge that will keep your baby’s tiny hands busy.
• The Grasping Ball is a version of the Montessori kicking ball toy. This attractive toy comes in a pleasant color and is made of soft natural rubber. It’s perfect for teething and grasping.
• The Motoric Ball is a rubber toy with many smaller “arms.” Your baby will exercise its fine motor skills with this toy and it is also great for your baby’s motor and joint development.
• The Motoric Sense Ball is another rubber toy that features a padded texture that your baby is sure to find interesting. The lovely color and bell inside will appeal to your baby’s sight and hearing. 
• The Bell Rattle is an enchanting toy that your baby will love to hold and chase. It’s small enough to fit in your baby’s little hands, training its grasp. The rattle’s gentle bell sound will encourage your baby to shake it to create music. Your baby will also enjoy reaching for the rattle and watching it roll on its side.
• The Bell Mobile features eye-catching red, blue, yellow, and green wooden bells. Your baby will want to reach up and try to touch the bells. Your baby will enjoy the sweet sounds as a reward for the effort.
• The Mirror is a large baby-safe mirror that is ideal for use during tummy time. It’s entertaining for self-discovery games, while exercising your baby’s developing muscles. Your baby will continue to develop her social emotional skills by observing and practicing expressions in the mirror.
• The Gobbi Mobile is a classic Montessori mobile that trains your baby’s developing sense of color. The balls on the mobile come in a gradation of color, moving from dark to light. Your baby will find this mobile absolutely fascinating.
• The Dancers Mobile is yet another classic Montessori mobile that features shiny human-shaped dancers: the dancers’ body parts move independently, making it an especially engaging performance for your young baby’s eyes.

6 Months and Older - Tribu Has You Covered

The fun doesn’t end here! Tribu has crafted twelve toy boxes for your growing baby. This covers your baby’s first three years of play. Read more about the other Tribu toy boxes and how they’ll support your baby’s development.

References

https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/stages-of-play-from-birth-to-6-months-a-full-body-experience/

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/pregnancy-parenting/parenting-babies-0-12-months/baby-growth-and-development/babies-social-and