Raising children according to Montessori principles is not a new concept, but it is undoubtedly becoming increasingly popular among modern parents. Montessori-inspired minimalist nurseries are in vogue, while child-centric, small-class kindergartens are in high demand. Proposed by the Italian educator Maria Montessori in the late 1800s, this seminal philosophy of the time is now widely accepted and loved worldwide, and it contains many components. The underlying message, however, is that children are given the autonomy to explore and discover their own environment, and to learn through life-inspired, self-guided play.
When your child says “goodbye” to teethers and “hello” to older children’s toys, they are at a critical juncture in their physical growth and brain development. Embrace their curiosity and inspire them to learn, develop, and discover in a home full of Montessori-style toys. From 1 to 4 years old, your child is primarily committed to sensory development (texture, space); the development of fine and gross movements (from pincer grasping to whole-body balance); and early language and mathematics learning. To make their lives more fulfilling, they should also focus on the basic explorations of art, music, and science.
You know your child is a sponge, so use a variety of Montessori-inspired toys to help them absorb all the best stuff. Today, the composition of Montessori toys draws on the principles of learning philosophy, but leaves room for interpretation. Use as many natural materials as possible, such as wood, metal, clay, and cotton, and focus on toys that are handled by children rather than battery-powered, and include a mix of neutral and rainbow colors. Toddlers in a Montessori playroom or nursery thrive when they have free access to a variety of items on low shelves within their reach. You’ll also need to furnish their space with a simple table and chair for crafting, alphabet practice, and playing.
In addition to the best store-bought Montessori toys, you can also make a treasure chest for them with the items you find to help them with the development of their senses and fine motor skills. Here are some of our other favorite toddler toys.
Stack Montessori Toys for Toddlers
Stacking, especially rainbow-colored objects, is still important from infancy to early childhood. These toys can enhance color and shape recognition and reasoning while enhancing gripping and other fine motor skills. Invest in stacking rings, mugs, and nesting dolls for hours of educational play.
Sort Montessori Toys for Toddlers
As with stacking, sorting is key to Montessori learning as the child grows up. Sorting can give your child a sense of control and practice creating order out of chaos, which is essential to their process of understanding their place in this big world. This practice also provide early mathematical thinking for children ages 1 to 4.
Toddler Climbers and Barry Montessori Toys
Your busy little one is interested in everything, which can be exhausting for parents. But climbing, stretching, hanging, and wild dance moves are all crucial to the development of their gross motor skills. Using Pickerer triangles, ballet bars, and other wooden devices designed to entice them to stand up and move, create indoor spaces where this important active learning can take place.
Toddler Balance Boards, Beams and Bicycles
Exercising balance is another form of active play in young children, in line with the Montessori method. Unlike triangle toys, slides, and crossbars, these easy-to-store wooden chunky sports toys don’t take up much space and can be easily stowed away after playing. Not only will your child have fun with these toys and learn about their physical abilities, but they can also jump-start sports with early balance Xi, from surfing and biking to snowboarding and cheerleading.
Building Materials for Toddlers
For a toddler, building towers and towns and knocking them down is almost the best thing to do. Support their curiosity with a variety of wood, natural silicone, rock, and other beautiful sets, from traditional bricks to textured geometric shapes, to make building time fun. The tiles are also imbued with Montessori-inspired goodness, including cause and effect and the beginning of scientific thinking.
Adult-Inspired Play Kits for Toddlers
One of the important tenets of the Montessori method is that children should be provided with the tools to learn how adults interact in their world. The most basic behaviors such as cooking, cleaning, and repairing household items can motivate your child from the start. These toys and sets, such as pots and pans, mops and brooms, or toolboxes, can also create a natural activity for your child to engage and mimic your behavior while you do actual chores.
Toddler Alphabet Tracking Montessori Toy
Instead of digging into the ABCs and quizzes for your child, make homeschooling fun with a drawing kit that allows kids to practice letters without worrying about seeing the results on the page. This way your child won’t be judging their writing; It’s about judging their writing. They just love making shapes and getting familiar with them. In addition to giving them a head start in preschool letter recognition, this activity enhances fine motor skills and encourages concentration.
Montessori Number Learning Sets for Toddlers
Math is fun in a Montessori classroom, and so should numbers at home. In the Montessori method, numbers and early mathematics were represented by visual effects – shapes, colors, the actual number of objects that could be added and removed from each other, etc. How. Instead, take the lead in discovering numbers and basic math with them.
Busy Boards and Cubes for Toddlers
These ingenious all-in-one learning toys give your child the best Montessori basics in one exciting place and make it easier for you to clean up. From tethering to sorting, to zipping, rocking, and more, there are plenty of interactive and fun ways to explore and play with busy boards, cubes, and books. Since these toys can contain a large number of small parts, it is important to purchase from a reputable company that has been tested for safety and is compliant.
Lace-Up and Sewing Montessori Toddler Toys
A pincer grip is essential for a child’s fine motor learning, which will help them with writing and many other tasks in life. Montessori lacing and sewing toys for toddlers are a great way to incorporate this skill and are also ideal for quiet time or car travel.
Toddler Hammer Box Montessori Toy
You already know that your child loves to bang things. Don’t let them ruin your countertops and floors, instead provide a hammer box with nails, balls, or similar items that disappear or retract when struck with a mallet and can then be easily replaced. Many of these toys can also enhance shape and color recognition.
Montessori Puzzle and Hook Set for Toddlers
Active little minds love to organize, relocate, and interact with Montessori-style nail sets and gripping puzzles. Making your own can also be a fun craft to enjoy with your children.
Toddler Hand Puppets and Simple Dolls
Simple puppets and dolls are cuddly toys that can be carried around on rainy days or anytime your child is inspired to play with pretends. Basic wooden dollhouses and simple creature or nail dolls are also suitable for kids from 12 months onwards. As they act out all kinds of imaginary scenarios, they learn to Xi and grow every day.
Slope Montessori Toddler Toys
When your child throws a small toy down the play ramp, object persistence, causality, and fine motor development all come into play. These are some of the simplest yet most important Montessori toys for toddlers. As a bonus, they look super cute!
Musical Instrument Toys for Toddlers
Creating music is an important part of Montessori Day. Drums, cymbals, triangles, bells, and acoustic guitars are just some of the special tools that you can store in your music box to spark creativity and fun at home. Early music wasn’t just about music; It’s more about music. It teaches problem-solving, helps them improve fine and gross motor skills, and is a beautiful example of interaction in our world.
