Infant & Toddler

Discover the Best Montessori Infant Toys

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: At Home, Montessori Toys Tagged With: Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I like to update my Montessori toy and Montessori materials posts every year or so. It has been a while since I focused on Montessori infants! So, here we are…the latest and the great Montessori Infant Toys.

A beautiful aspect of Montessori is the application to life and not simply to education in the classroom alone. Babies are ripe to begin learning and living as Dr. Montessori emphasized in her work. To help you get started (because I know there are many young parents new to Montessori), I researched and vetted Montessori toys for infants. These materials are perfect for your home or even a daycare setting.

Montessori Infant Learning Philosophy

Dr. Montessori believed in the child’s ability to reach his potential on his own if given the freedom and the environment in which to develop naturally. She placed first priority on the child and his natural development at birth.

By believing in the child, she encourages and motivates teachers and parents to develop the whole self. Children not only develop academic intelligences but emotional, social and practical intelligences, too. While developing these skills, children will inevitably develop less tangible skills, such as self-esteem, security, and confidence, required for a successful life.

“It is necessary to begin the education of the senses in the formative period if we wish to perfect this sense development with the education which is to follow. The education of the senses should be begun methodically in infancy, and should continue during the entire period of instruction which is to prepare the individual for life in society.” ~ Dr. Montessori

She believed this process started at the moment of birth. She discusses this idea within the context of math. Dr. Montessori emphasized the fact that human beings are born with a propensity to naturally be driven to calculate, to reason, and to create. The key, however, is to have a guiding and nurturing adult within their environments, or the capacity to perform such thinking is eventually lost. Therefore, in order to develop and to function at greatest capacity, a child’s experiences must lend to the innate mathematical mind.

So, exposing a child to these concepts early in his life is vital to the later development of more complex math concepts. Without this exposure, his brain won’t be ripe for advanced learning and critical thinking. In a sense, the brain will reject this type of thinking because it is not prepared to accept more complex information.

Montessori Toys for Infants

DIY Montessori Toys – Supplies

The cool part about Montessori toys for babies is that often you can create on your own with your own materials already in your home.

Wooden Beads
Wooden Rings
Ribbon
Bells
Cardboard Box
Buttons
Pipe cleaners

Related Read: Toddler Inspired Practical Life

Tugging Box and Other DIY Montessori Toys for Babies

Tugging Box

A cardboard box is a great tool for making a tugging box for babies. Check out this example from Laughing Kids Learn. By threading ribbon through holes in a box you can make simple and endless fun for your little one!

Button in the Slot

So simple. A recycled can and a bowl of buttons to work fine motor skills, vocabulary (describing the colors and sounds), and color identification. You can even begin early math with counting and patterns.

Sensory Wall

This brilliant idea comes from Asia Citro at Fun at Home with Kids. Take a trip to Home Depot or your local hardware store and gather your materials. You don't even have to be handy to create this gem.

Tearing Paper

It doesn't get much easier than using paper as a toy. This activity might sound silly but there are huge benefits. The sound of the paper tearing and the fine motor work makes this simple activity perfect for babies. Offer different types of textured paper to explore sound.

Music Basket

This one is so much fun! Our basket is filled with a mix of “toy” instruments (like Melissa & Doug's Band in a Box, which we love!) and real instruments I found at a local thrift store. Don't ever underestimate consignment shops! Add a few books about music and your baby will be engaged and happy!

Treasure Basket

Weekly treasure basket of things around the house that your baby can explore.

Sensory Bottles

There are endless easy & inexpensive opportunities for sensory bottles around your home. So easy to make, to create themes, and to work multiple senses all at once. Babies love this Montessori toy!

Montessori Toys for Infants

Rattles

There are many different types of rattles that you can get for your little one. Rattles are an opportunity for your baby to explore sounds, texture, and motion.

Wooden Ring Rattle

Wooden Bead Rattle

Knocking Rattle

Teethers

Babies and toddlers do a lot of exploring with their mouths. A variety of teething friendly toys is the best way you can support this exploration. You can buy sets of teethers that have different textures or you can also buy a set of teethers like this one. Babies often enjoy playing with different textures on a teether.

A great way to add texture is to tie a cloth or baby rag to it. You can also wet the cloth and freeze it for a while. Babies like to suck on it and the cool temperature soothes their gums.;

Wooden Teether

Tortoise Teether

Wooden Teething Toys

Play Gym Teether & Wooden Ring Toy

Activity Gym

Activity gyms promote large motor skill and muscle development. This gives your baby an opportunity to practice reaching something which encourages full-body movement. This promotes learning to crawl.

The Play Gym

Wood Baby Gym

Attachment Options for Baby Activity Gyms

Babies will love if you periodically switch them out, so they can explore something new.

Wooden Baby Activity Gym

Montessori Toys for Infants – Books

Babies like books that are simple and realistic. Look for books with realistic images. They will enjoy looking at these pictures while they play. Perfect for tummy time! You can also read it and tell them about what each picture is.

My First Word Book Knowing the World

Baby University

My Big Animal Book

My Big Word Book

Montessori Toys for Infants – Imaginative & Pretend Play

My Barnyard Friends

Wooden Egg Kitch Toy Set

Animal Finger Puppets

Montessori Toys for Infants – Motor Skills

Wooden Nesting Blocks

Deluxe Band Set

Wooden ABC Blocks

Sensory Balls

Oballs

Natural Rattle & Teether Ball

Rainbow Fabric Ball

More Montessori Toy Ideas & Resources

12+ Creative & Inexpensive Outdoor Activities for Toddlers

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Outdoor Classroom, Outdoor Education Tagged With: 2 Year Olds, Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Children are a bundle of energy! Toddlers in particular need to be outdoors in order to release energy and regulate. Getting outdoors for fresh air, learning, and moving bodies is critical to a child's development. I wrote a post years ago that outlines Outdoor Learning Rules to Teach our Kids. I still refer to this article when I need a bit of inspiration! You should do the same! Below we share some outdoor activities for toddlers to do.

Why is getting outdoors so important?

Getting outdoors is necessary for kids, especially young kids, for many reasons including:

Outdoor education & learning about nature
Gross motor skill development
Executive functioning skill development
Appropriate risk taking
Vitamin D

If you don't believe me then check out this research article on why kids need to get outdoors published by Harvard University!

Some of these outdoor activities are physical and some only require some creative flow. You can plan to do several of these toddler activities each day or just do one. It depends on how much you will have and the attention span of the toddler. Now I know it is not always easy to get outdoors on rainy or cold days but it is important. Check out this post Rainy Day Outdoor Tips & Tricks for a few ideas on getting outside in less ideal weather!

Many times children do not have a lot of physical outlets or toddler activities. At school they are told to sit down and do work, so that leaves little time for unwinding outdoors. Additionally, children are introduced to screen time on computers and tablets so their curiosity ends before they get the chance to become acquainted with their outdoors environment. Add some of these toddler activities to your child's agenda to promote a better lifestyle.

Going outside can be filled with learning activities for toddlers. Outdoor activities for toddlers can be contagiously fun, but it is ok because you can join in too! Be creative and add your own or add something different to the suggestions below.

Toddler Activities for the Outdoors

Yard Work

Do this series of outdoor activities for toddlers now before they become teenagers. Toddlers will not realize that yard work is actual work. Do not call this outdoor activity work. Get to sweeping the porch, raking leaves, digging in the dirt, and refilling bird feeders. This will not only help the toddler to become more independent, but will also lay the groundwork for being more responsible. Activities for toddlers at home can also include other outdoor facilities.

Play in the Sand

Get to the beach or create a sandbox in your yard. It is amazing what can come about from a plastic container and a scoop. The more props the better. Add some plastic molds and cups as well as dump trucks that can move around in the sand.

Be Artistic

Take the art project outside. Art is not just paint and paper, but you can also use chalk. It takes physical movement to use the sidewalk as the canvass. The toddler is no longer confined to a piece of paper and their imagination can soar on the sidewalk. You could take turn tracing each other's bodies. If your toddler prefers paper, then take the easel outdoors and become inspired by nature.

Have a Scavenger Hunt

This is going to provide hours of fun! Create a list of things that you have around the house, then hide these items around the yard and in the area. If your toddler is not reading yet, then draw a photo and help them to cross off each item as they find them. Many toddlers love this activity.

Blow Bubbles

Bubbles can be bought cheaply or you can make your own bubble solution. Take the activity outdoors and enjoy as your toddler will chase the bubbles and pop them. For toddlers that are able they can also blow the bubbles. See how long they can keep the bubble in the air. Keep moving and let the bubbles roam. This is another of those learning activities for toddlers because of the scientific learning with the solution and how it reacts to touch, the grass, or the wind.

Create a Fun Obstacle Course

You can use a lot of items around the house to create an obstacle course. This can include toys, boxes, chairs, and whatever the imagination can come up with. Crawl under the chairs, then roll on top of the blanket. Jump a few times and then run a few times around the tree. Add a whistle and create a reward of ribbon, coins, and construction paper. Its a great day for a fun obstacle course no matter who wins.

Play Red Light, Green Light

Do you remember playing this game? Instead of the toddler being escorted around in the car and seeing the lights you can now create activities for the toddler to do. For example, green light for anything that means go such as running. To stop running you say “Red light”. Toddlers can exert a lot of energy in this game.

Play Hide and Seek

Everyone has played some form of this game. Hide in places that are obvious. You can also make noises so the toddler will find you easily. This makes it fun and gets them comfortable with playing the game. You may need to count for your toddler or count slowly.

Bounce Balls

Have a seat on the ground and roll the ball to each other. Or, take turns throwing and kicking the ball. You can also add hula hoops and boxes to use as targets in order to throw the balls inside.

Take a Walk

Taking a wlak is a simple activity that does not require anything. This can be a good morning or evening routine. Taking a walk around the block can be refreshing and just the outing your toddler needs. There are many moments that are teachable in a simple walk. Nature is happening outdoors. If your little one does not walk well enough yet, then make the walk shorter and take along a walking toy.

Water Fun

The hot summers will warrant having the sprinklers on or to have a fun balloon fight. You can also buy a kiddie pool and enjoy this too. This is an activity that little ones seem to enjoy the most. Making this activity a regular part of the day or week will bring a lot of joy to your little one's day.

Fly a Kite

Its a windy day and its the perfect time to get outside and fly a kite. There are small kites and big ones that look like dragons. You can also sit with your toddler and make your own kite.

Balloons

No matter where you are balloons always seem to attract children. Buy some of your own and have fun blowing them up. Add some string and a sprinkle of imagination and the balloon can become anything.

Outdoor activities for toddlers at home does not have to be limited to indoors (although it is okay and often necessary to identify indoor activities for toddlers). Try your best to connect the indoor and outdoor classrooms for optimal learning. There are so many things to do while outdoors.

Just bring some imagination and a few props and you'll soon be in another make-believe world. The point is to get outdoors and get your toddler active. You may discover some new activities on your own that you can start doing together. I hope you enjoyed these outdoor activities for toddlers!

Montessori Activity Plan for Toddlers & Preschoolers – Discovery Theme

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: At Home, Montessori Tagged With: Infant & Toddler, Work Plans This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

One of the biggest requests from my readers is to create a week by week Montessori activity plan for the home. This post is the start of offering those plans. Each week there will be a theme. The first week's theme is Discovery.

Montessori Work Plan – Week 1 – Discovery

MONDAY

Discover a sitting spot outdoors. This spot will be the child's spot for a lifetime! Encourage the child to “decorate” his sitting spot with his own natural art.

This spot will be for the child to reflect. Reflecting for kids this age means drawing and often talking. Feel free to transcribe their stories and ideas about their sitting spot.

If finding a spot outdoors is not ideal, allow the child to create a safe & peaceful place somewhere inside. This could be under a stairwell, under her bed, in a closet, or a nook in a play area.

Resources & Materials for this Activity

Journal
Pencils
Colored Pencils
Markers
String
Beads

TUESDAY

Discover a natural object in your sitting spot area. Observe, study it, and make notes of the textures, shapes, smells, and anything else that comes to your mind.

Take out your journal and sketch the object, write about it, and collect it within your journal's pages.

WEDNESDAY

Discover what life would be like if you were as small as an insect exploring, climbing, and living within the blades of grass and grains of sand. This activity is full of discovery.

Grab a yard long piece of ribbon or yarn, find an interesting place to lay it out, and get down as close as you can to the world beneath the yarn!

Resources & Materials for this Activity

Read Thumbelina and go on a Thumbelina Walk.

THURSDAY

Discover the world through your ears! Taking in the world through our senses is how we learn about the environment and how we develop our brains!

Resources & Materials for this Activity

Read one of my all-time favorite books called The Listening Walk and then go on your own Listening Walk.

FRIDAY

Discover seeds. Seeds are seriously cool and kids love to explore and to examine seeds' unique qualities. Dissecting various vegetables and fruit to reveal & observe in detail the seeds.

Resources & Materials for this Activity

Read these books about seeds
Study the parts of the seed
Check out this list of 12 Unique & Creative Activities with Seeds

6 Simple & Effective Fine Motor Skills Activities with Water

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: Fine Motor Skills, Infant & Toddler, Sensory This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Water play is a wonderful way for children across a wide range of ages to develop strong fine motor skills. Fine motor activities encourage skill development and help children and disabled adults develop abilities such as pinching, grasping, hand-eye coordination, and finger isolation. This post includes 6 simple activities with water that promote fine motor skills development.

By the way, I have a list of super fun water balloon activities that kids LOVE!!!

Most school programs offer fine motor skills development, but there are also a wealth of simple steps parents and caregivers can take at home to help enhance these skills. Here are five fun, developmentally appropriate ideas to encourage these skills using basic household supplies and water.

6 Simple Fine Motor Skills Activities with Water

Water Basting

One way to integrate fine motor work into water play is by adding tools like a baster. Kids love to watch the water flow up then squeeze it out.

>> Read about the Montessori Basting lesson.

Sponge Transfer

What is it about sponges? Dry. Hard. Wet. Soft. Kids love to squeeze and transfer water with sponges. My kids also love to paint with sponges.

>> Read about the Montessori Sponging lesson.

Pouring Water Transfer

Transferring H2O from one container to another helps learners develop hand-eye coordination and overall motor control. All you need for these activities are bottles or jugs of different sizes. Fill one of the jugs with H2O, and then show your little one how to pour its contents into another container. Kids can keep pouring liquid from one container to another until they're bored.

It's Raining!

Probably the easiest activity to put into your back pocket of activities with water! For this activity, you'll need a shallow baking dish filled with everyday items such as dry sponges, pieces of paper, scraps of cloth and waterproof toys. You'll also need a plastic cup with about a dozen small holes poked in the bottom. Have your child hold the cup over the tray, then pour H2O in and watch as the rain begins to fall. Encourage your child to move the rain over all the objects. Once the cup is empty, have your little one touch the various objects and describe how they feel when wet.

Picking Up All the Caps

Gather assorted caps from drink containers, several popsicle sticks and a wash basin for this fun activity. First, fill the basin with H2O. Then, place drink caps upside down on the surface of the liquid so that they float. Have your child hold a popsicle stick in each hand, and show them how to pick up individual caps using the sticks. Repeat the activity until all of the caps have been removed from the wash basin.

Outside Painting with H2O

This water activity is one of the easiest to pull off when you want to have some impromptu, learning-driven fun outside. All you need is a paintbrush and a cup of H2O. Take your little ones outside on a sunny day and let them have fun painting the sidewalk, house and anything else they desire. This activity helps to develop the pincer grip while teaching about evaporation and the water cycle too.

I love this painting with rain activity by Picklebums.

Funky Fishing Fun

For this water activity, you'll need a wash basin filled with H2O, a few ping-pong balls, and an aquarium fish net. Simply toss the ping-pong balls into the liquid. Then demonstrate to your child how to scoop them up using the net. This super fun kids' activity can be repeated over and over (kids love repetition!) until your child is tired of scooping! (Erh…bedtime?)

Remember that building fine motor skills doesn't have to be complicated. In addition to these easy activities with water, you'll come across dozens more going about your regular day. Let inspiration be your guide as you teach your little one all about interacting with the world through H2O.

Marnie

The Best & Easiest Montessori Activities for 2 Year Olds

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: 2 Year Olds, Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

If you're a parent who has embraced the Montessori Method to educate your children, then you already know how important it is to provide a learning environment that encourages the healthy development of your child in every area of life. Each activity should work to promote the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth of the child. This post includes the best Montessori activities for 2-year-olds.

Developmental Milestones of a 2 Year Old

There is so much going on in a child's brain at 2 years old. She is soaking (literally) up the world around her like a sponge and is gaining dozens of new vocabulary every day. Multi-sensory activities are the way to go working to solidify and strengthen all those neuron pathways.

The CDC gives this list of developmental milestones of a 2 year old. This list is not exhaustive and doesn't apply to every single child. In other words, every child's developmental path will differ from the next child's development. With that said, if you are concerned at all, talk to your pediatrician. There are lots of options to intervene if there are obstacles facing your child.

Social and Emotional

Copies others, especially adults and older children
Gets excited when with other children
Shows more and more independence
Shows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to)
Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games

Language/Communication

Points to things or pictures when they are named
Knows names of familiar people and body parts
Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
Follows simple instructions
Repeats words overheard in conversation
Points to things in a book

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers
Begins to sort shapes and colors
Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books
Plays simple make-believe games
Builds towers of 4 or more blocks
Might use one hand more than the other
Follows two-step instructions such as “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.”
Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog

Movement/Physical Development

Stands on tiptoe
Kicks a ball
Begins to run
Climbs onto and down from furniture without help
Walks up and down stairs holding on
Throws ball overhand
Makes or copies straight lines and circles

Activities for 2-Year-Olds

As many of you know, toddlers learn best through experiences that utilize all of their senses. Below are a few examples of activities inspired by the Montessori Method that you may choose for your own 2-year-old child or other children of this age who you are teaching.

One to One Matching Activities

These types of games are very good at helping toddlers create a good sense of order. Place animal flashcards on the floor, and provide the child with a basket of figurines that represent each animal depicted on the cards. Allow the child to place each figurine onto the appropriate card. Another idea is to introduce a basket of socks in various colors and designs, and have the child match the socks appropriately. You can also introduce math one to one correspondence with 2-year-olds. Simply use card counters and have the child match objects based on the number on the card. You can match object to object, object to image, and so on. There are so many variations.

Pouring and Chopping

2-year-old children are ripe for developing their fine motor skills. 2 year old are drawn to fine motor challenges and it is fun! Start by placing a plastic cloth on the table for easy cleanup. Offer the child a light-weight pitcher of water and a sturdy cup, and the child can practice pouring water into the cup without spilling. You may also provide a plastic knife and a banana or other soft foods for practice at cutting slices. Early practical life activities work well for 2-year-olds.

Early Literacy

Print out coloring pages of the alphabet, and your child will be on the path to reading. Identify the letter, talk about words that begin with that letter, and allow the child to color the letter. If coloring is not a good option, then the letter may also be filled in with play-dough or watercolors. Always emphasize the sound, not the name of the letter. Introduce a salt or sand tray, too, if you feel the child is ready for the work. It is an ideal Montessori work for a toddler classroom.

Sensory Input

Activities that address the senses simultaneously are extremely important for toddlers. For example, take aim at your child's sense of touch with a cloth bag and five different items. This activity is called a Mystery Bag. You may pick objects such as toys, spoons, books, and blocks. Show each item to the child before placing them in the bag. With eyes closed, the child may reach into the bag to touch and identify each object.

I hope you found these ideas helpful.

Marnie

5 Easy Montessori Activities for a Curious One Year Old

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: 1 Year Olds, Easy & Inexpensive, Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Do you know that one-year-old that wants to do everything by himself? Does he also love to mimic whatever you're doing? Montessori is ideal for this child! There are a lot of options for Montessori toys for a 1-year-old. Like many parents, you might assume that Montessori activities are too involved for one-year-old children. Nothing could be further from the truth! There are loads of Montessori activities for one-year-olds.

Montessori revolves around three things: hands-on learning, self-directed learning, and developing key life skills like independence, self-esteem, and concentration. While the typical one-year-old isn't ready to play collaboratively, there are lots of hands-on learning and self-directed activities that they are developmentally ready to tackle. To give you an idea, we've compiled a brief list of examples that are suitable for toddlers between the ages of 12 and 24 months.

5 Easy Montessori Activities for a One-Year-Old

Banana Peeling – This tasty activity is easy for parents to prepare. It doubles as a snacking opportunity too, so you can take care of two birds with one stone. Cut an unpeeled banana into thick slices. They will resemble thick disks. Carefully slice along one side of each to make a “starting place” for your little one to grab onto, and then demonstrate to them how to lift and pull the peel off of the banana slice. Most one-year-olds are able to handle this well, and they love the payoff: a delicious slice of banana! I love this banana slicer from Montessori Services!
Threading with Large Beads, a Strainer, or a Can – This activity is great for developing hand-to-eye coordination in toddlers. Clean out an old coffee can or any container with a thin, plastic lid that snaps on securely. Poke small holes around the lid, and get some thin, colorful sticks to push through the holes. Make sure that the sticks are long, so that they can't be swallowed by your tot. Instruct your child to put all of the sticks in the container by pushing them through the holes. If they appear to struggle, consider making the holes a little bigger.

More Activities for 12-Month-Olds

Pointing and Naming – Because it can be done just about anywhere, this activity is very useful in a number of situations. As you've probably surmised, it simply involves pointing to objects and asking your child to name them. You can do this with actual children's picture books, or you can simply point out objects when you're out and about with your kid. As your child gets older, you can also create a photo album with photos of friends and loved ones and have them name each one as you point to them.
Loading & Unload Clothes – Get a little help on laundry day by including your toddler. Place the dirty clothes hamper by the washing machine, and show your little one how to place clothes inside. Most kids get a kick out of it, and you get a little assistance too!
Peeling Stickers – Stock up on poster boards and packs of stickers. Let your toddler decorate the poster board with dots as they see fit. Demonstrate how to peel stickers and intervene when you need to. Stickers are an excellent way to help develop fine motor skills.

Infant & Toddler Montessori Resources

Montessori Services has loads of infant & toddler Montessori items
AMS Suggested Infant & Toddler Materials
Early School Materials for Infants & Toddlers
Amazon has endless ideas for Montessori toddler & infant activities
Montessori in the Home for Infants and Toddlers
Montessori Toys for Babies & Toddlers: 7+ Ideas for You
The Ultimate Infant & Toddler Montessori Toys Guide
My Top Infant and Toddler Montessori Materials

As you can see, there are all kinds of ways to introduce your one-year-old to Montessori activities. By starting your child on them early in life, they will get that much more out of their Montessori learning experiences. The greatest part about the Montessori lifestyle is how many activity variations and extensions exist! Use your imagination and follow your child's lead. A little observation can go a long way.

Best,

Marnie

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