Is Montessori Good For Infants? San Antonio Experts Discuss Learning Activities

Why The First Five Years Matter Most

Your infant may look tiny, but their brain is working harder than you think. Around 90% of brain development occurs before age 5, making early experiences especially powerful. During this period, experts recommend environments that let infants explore freely, practice movement, and develop focus without unnecessary overstimulation.

Montessori philosophy aligns closely with this science. Rather than filling a nursery with bright plastic gadgets, the method emphasizes natural materials, calm spaces, and activities that match each child's developmental stage.

Expert-Recommended Montessori Toys for Infants

Montessori educators at ExcellED Montessori Plus in San Antonio highlight toys that are simple, safe, and purposeful:

• Wooden rattles (0-6 months) help infants strengthen their grasp reflex while improving auditory tracking.
• Interlocking discs and puzzle boards improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination between 3-12 months.
• Soft sensory balls with high-contrast colors support tactile exploration and gross motor skills in babies 3-12 months old.
• Object permanence boxes introduce problem-solving and the concept that things exist even when out of sight, ideal for 6-12 months.
• Stacking toys lay the groundwork for early math concepts and precise motor control.
• Wooden teethers provide natural comfort during teething while avoiding synthetic materials.

Montessori Activities That Build Independence

Beyond toys, daily activities can nurture both body and mind:

• Hand grasping, peek-a-boo, and shape sorting promote motor development and independence.
• Transferring objects hand-to-hand strengthens bilateral coordination.
• Early art and sensory exploration—such as safe drawing or exploring textures—stimulate creativity and focus.

Allowing babies to explore at their own pace reflects Montessori's emphasis on self-directed learning.

What Science Says About Montessori for Infants

Multiple studies confirm that Montessori principles have measurable benefits even at the earliest stages:

• Research with rigorous methods shows that Montessori programs foster stronger social skills, academic performance, and wellbeing compared to non-Montessori peers (Lillard et al., 2021).
• The American Montessori Society reports that infants in Montessori classrooms display greater independence and natural curiosity.
• Meta-analyses reveal preschool-age Montessori children make significant gains across developmental domains (Demangeon, 2023).
• Experts highlight that minimalist, "less is more" environments reduce overstimulation and deepen engagement (Simone Davies, 2025).
• Neuroscience backs tactile, hands-on learning with natural materials as critical for brain and emotional development (Bremner, 2017; Harvard Center on the Developing Child, 2025).

Local Expertise in Texas

Local Montessori providers in the San Antonio area apply these research-based principles through their infant programs. Caregivers maintain small group sizes and low ratios, creating calm, homelike environments with floor beds, low mirrors, and accessible materials that encourage safe exploration. Families also benefit from sensory-based activities, early language experiences, and supportive spaces for breastfeeding mothers.

The Bottom Line

Montessori education isn't just for preschoolers. With the right toys, activities, and guidance, even the youngest infants can thrive in environments designed for natural growth and independence. Parents exploring infant care in San Antonio can find programs rooted in these principles at local schools such as ExcellED Montessori Plus.