Gross motor development is the foundation of your child’s independence, confidence, and physical coordination. Every sit, crawl, pull-up, and step strengthens muscles, develops balance, and prepares toddlers for more complex movements. With the right environment and thoughtfully designed Montessori toys for toddlers, you can help your child explore movement safely and joyfully.
In India, parents are increasingly looking for Montessori toys in India that support motor skills while encouraging independent play. These motor developmental toys help children build strength, coordination, and spatial awareness at their own pace, forming habits that last a lifetime.
6 to 9 Months
At this stage, babies are learning to sit steadily, balance their bodies, and use their hands with more control. Sitting upright builds core strength and stability, while reaching forward or leaning sideways improves balance and coordination. This is also when babies begin experimenting with controlled movements like shaking, banging, or transferring objects between hands.
The best motor developmental toys for this age group are ones that combine sensory engagement with opportunities for movement:
Teethers and Rattles: These are perfect for grasping, shaking, and mouthing. They strengthen hand muscles and coordination while offering safe relief for teething gums.
Spinning Drum: Encourages babies to sit upright and use both hands to spin, building wrist strength and bilateral coordination.
Wobble Toy: A delightful challenge to balance, it teaches babies cause and effect as they push and watch it return upright.
Vehicle Set: Rolling wooden vehicles encourage reaching, stretching, and beginning to move across space, preparing for crawling.
Simple Puzzles: Large, easy-to-grasp puzzle pieces help refine grip, concentration, and problem-solving while encouraging babies to balance as they play.
Each toy gently motivates babies to move, balance, and stretch without overstimulation. By offering toys that require controlled effort, you’re helping them develop confidence and body awareness during play.
9 to 12 Months
Between nine and twelve months, babies are on the move. Crawling becomes the main way to explore, building strength in the arms, shoulders, and hips while coordinating both sides of the body. Many babies also begin pulling up to stand, cruising along furniture, and practicing their first steps. These milestones are all about building confidence, balance, and independence.
The right Montessori toys for toddlers at this stage support these big transitions:
Push Wagon: A safe and sturdy support for early walkers. Unlike commercial walkers, it allows natural movement and strengthens leg muscles while encouraging balance.
Balancing Board: Also called a wooden curvy board, it builds core strength and coordination. Babies can crawl over it, rock gently, or use it for early standing practice.
Pikler Triangle: Introduces safe climbing and pulling-up opportunities. It helps toddlers practice gripping, balancing, and shifting weight, all while exploring their growing independence.
Puzzles: More complex puzzles at this stage challenge focus, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving while encouraging controlled sitting or standing play.
Each of these toys meets babies right where they are—giving them safe opportunities to pull, push, balance, and move at their own pace. By the end of this stage, many toddlers are ready to take those first independent steps, supported by the confidence built through daily movement play.
Creating a Montessori-Aligned Environment
A Montessori approach is not just about the toys—it’s about creating a safe, engaging environment. Keep the floor space open for crawling, ensure furniture is sturdy for pulling up, and make sure toys are always accessible at baby’s level. The goal is independence: allowing children to explore movement freely, repeat actions as often as needed, and develop strength naturally.
Gross motor development between 6 to 12 months is a time of incredible growth. From sitting and balancing to crawling and standing, every milestone is supported by thoughtfully designed Montessori toys for toddlers. These toys are not just playthings—they are tools for building strength, coordination, and lifelong confidence.
