Apples, Fall and Fun for Baby

This newsletter is brought to you by Lesson of the Day 7, Apple Recipes & Fun, Just for Baby, and Easy Crock Pot Recipes.
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Hi Everyone, Happy Fall! I love the change of seasons. It's always great to have a new beginning.

I recently filled out a survey for a college student about Montessori. The first question, "What was the goal of Montessori?", made me think.
My short answer is that Montessori wanted to help us to become better teachers and parents to our children. It's the world's most important job; I am thankful that Montessori cared so much.
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It's apple season, in fact we are rolling in apples
this year. I found these easy recipes for apples.

Apple Chips

Apple Crescents

Crock-Pot Apple Crisp Dessert

Here's an idea from Mike Kruckenberg about making applesauce using the scientific method with preschool children.

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Here is an easy crock pot recipes. You can adjust ingredients to
any dietary requirements.

Steel cut oatmeal , a hot breakfast waiting for you.

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Just for Baby

Basket of Balls
Find different textured balls for your baby to hold
and feel.
Here are some ideas-
golf ball
tennis ball
rubber ball
wiffle ball (plastic ball with holes)
baseball
small football

One of the best intellectual activities you can do
with your baby is talk to her or him. Sing, do finger
plays, or just talk to them like a friend. I think
babies understand more than we think. I was one of those
silly mothers who even talked to their babies at the
market.
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Lesson of the Day 7 has just been added to Montessori Just for Baby

Lesson of the Day 37: Baby Activities — Keeping Little Ones Amused (5-8 Months)

Montessori Baby — From Birth to 12 Months

Recommended Materials

Apple Exploration Activities for Your Baby

Fall is a wonderful season to engage your baby’s senses, and apples are the perfect starting point. Even the youngest learners can participate in apple-themed discovery when we tailor the experience to their developmental stage.

For babies 6–9 months, focus on sensory exploration. Place a whole apple in front of your baby during tummy time or seated play. Let them feel the smooth skin, grip the round shape, and explore the stem. Narrate what they’re experiencing: “That apple is smooth and round. It’s red.” This simple activity builds vocabulary, strengthens fine motor grip, and introduces natural materials.

For babies 9–12 months, expand the experience to include taste and smell. Offer thin slices of soft, cooked apple for self-feeding practice. Let your baby smell a freshly cut apple and watch their reaction. You can also introduce a small basket with two or three apple varieties — red, green, and yellow — and let your baby handle and compare them.

Bringing the Outdoors In

Maria Montessori believed deeply in connecting children to the natural world from the very beginning of life. Fall offers a rich sensory landscape that you can bring right into your home. Collect a few fallen leaves, small gourds, acorns, and apples and arrange them in a low basket your baby can access during floor play. This creates a simple nature treasure basket — a classic Montessori activity for babies.

Leaf play: Let baby crinkle dry leaves and listen to the sound. Supervise closely, as bits may break off.
Apple rolling: On a flat surface or gentle incline, show your baby how an apple rolls. This introduces early concepts of cause and effect.
Fall scent exploration: Hold a cinnamon stick or a slice of fresh apple near your baby’s nose and describe what they’re smelling.

Remember, at this age the goal is never a finished product — it’s simply joyful, present-moment exploration. Follow your baby’s lead, let them linger on whatever captures their attention, and trust the process.

Montessori Mom