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Sensorial Materials for Toddlers

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This post includes ideas for Sensorial materials for toddlers. The other morning my 3-year-old and I were in our garage choosing new books to rotate into our library. I saw him eye my large storage container marked Sensorial materials. He ran over to it and wanted in on it. I was at first annoyed and sighed but then I thought about it.

Sensorial 3 Year Old

He and his brother hadn’t touched the materials on their Sensorial shelves for weeks. I thought maybe we needed new sensorial materials. So, we dragged the container into our home. I let my sweet, curious toddler explore the contents.

What I discovered by observing him was that he was enthralled with the early sensorial works, those materials perfect for toddlers and young preschoolers. I realized that maybe I had pushed lessons and materials on him when he wasn’t ready for the work.

Sensorial Materials for Toddlers

Sorting and Snapping

Melissa & Doug Sort & Snap Color Match is hugely popular in our home and it is the perfect sensorial activity for toddlers. Both my 3 and 4.5-year-old love using the templates and snapping the corresponding colors into place.

My 3-year-old did at least four of the templates that morning. Great for fine motor skill development and for pattern work.

Pre-Sensorial Work Montessori

Creating Designs

Haba’s Geo Shape Hammering Material is phenomenal. The product comes with various colored shapes, a thick cork board for hammering, a hammer perfect for little hands, and small nails (these nails are extremely small actually. I didn’t expect it.).

I place one color of shapes in a small bowl, the nails in a small dish along with the hammer, and the corkboard on a tray. So, keep it simple. Then it is not so overwhelming for the younger children. This work is great for fine motor skill development and pre-sensorial work.

smellingbottlestray

Smelling Bottles

I created Smelling Bottles last year with vanilla, lemon, strawberry, and cinnamon. He could not get enough of them. First, we smelled each one. Then I worked with him to find pairs. I marked the pairs. It was fun to watch him check his work.

Smelling Bottles are an easy and inexpensive DIY Montessori material. Smelling Bottles are another staple in a Montessori classroom. You can actually purchase this material at a reasonable price but making them on your own is really easy.

diysoundbottles

Sound Bottles

He loved the Sound Bottles too. I made these materials last year with simple items from around the house such as salt, beans, and rice. I made four pairs from softest to loudest. Sound Bottles are a staple in a Montessori classroom.

Thanks for reading!
Marnie

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