Anybody else find that the stage between 12 and 15 months was a tricky one to entertain and teach? Don't get me wrong, it is full of milestones. Everything from speech to walking to waving can occur in this momentous time. Babies reciprocate a lot of what they've learned. And yet I always found developmental toys a challenge. Everything is so prohibitive, "CHOKING HAZARD", "NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER THREE YEARS OLD", the labels threaten. Kylie at How We Montessori circumvents all this, and has some pretty good ideas specifically for developing fine motor skills.
You don't have to be a loyal disciple of Maria Montessori to get something out of Kylie's "lessons" with 13-month-old son Otis. She uses a mat on the floor for each activity, and Otis can even get everything out himself. Of course, each activity must be put away before you begin the next. I don't know about you, but I'm a little in awe of the capacity and concentration of such a young child.
Read more about Maria Montessori's philosophy on the hand-brain connection and how Otis is learning to exercise it at How We Montessori.
MORE MONTESSORI ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• A Montessori Playroom for Three
• Make a Handwashing Station
• Roundup: Montessori in the Home
(Images: How We Montessori)
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Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
I am so impressed by Otis' development and I LOVE Kylie's blog How we Montessori. I am not a strict Montessori parent but I get so much inspiration for little things I can incorporate into our everyday lives and how I parent my 18-month old son from reading Kylie's posts!
My son is of a similar age and he is happy exploring everyday objects around our house and yard; he also loves balls, push toys and anything with wheels. I tell him what things are when he points to them, play with him when I am able and when he invites me to, and otherwise leave him to it. It is a fun age and he learns a ton on his own without too much effort, planning or expense on our part.
He started walking at 12 months, and we go for a walk every day, rain or shine. A real walk--no stroller. Meeting people on the street, looking at flowers, picking up twigs... he loves it.
I looked at the How We Montessori website for five minutes and I am completely exhausted! While I am impressed by the love and commitment behind behind such efforts to "entertain" and "teach" babies, I personally don't think of our time together in that way. It is nice to just relax and enjoy being together without overthinking everything.
I'm right with DEARMISHA, except I don't think I made it five minutes on that page.
No, I didn't find that time especially tricky unless you are talking about my efforts to get my second child to sleep more than an hour or two at a time. That was tricky! But both kids were so entertained by absolutely everything during their second year of life -- it was so easy to find things to do, and basically they are learning continually. We did make a rule to have no electric toys in the house -- too many of those exchange button pushing and noise for actual play. Other than that we just had "regular toys," some meant to be educational, most just playthings, and not too much available at any given moment to avoid overstimulation (mine and the kids!)
I love How We Montessori! The photography is fantastic and I've picked up some great ideas on suitable toys and activities for my 12 month old, as well as inspiration on simplifying her environment. Great site for those of us interested in Montessori.
How we Montessori is one of my favorite blogs. She has really simple and practical ideas for toddlers and infants.