http://www.dailymontessori.com/montessori-articles/montessori-toys-gifts/
What are Suitable Montessori Toys?
In line with Montessori philosophy here are some suggested toys & gifts for the different age groups and also some developmental considerations.
Many quality toys have age guides to help choose what the appropriate age is, but remember these serve as a guide and always check for small pieces when young children are around. The quality of the toy’s materials is a valid consideration; natural wooden toys will last far longer than plastics, but can prove a challenge to wash. Lillard and Jessen (2003, ‘Montessori from the start’) said “your only purpose is to give a key to your child for discovering his world“.
Toys and materials can act as that key, they aid the child’s understanding of the real world and help them distinguish order and make sense of their environment. This is a true gift to the child.
Montessori Toys for Infants
Birth to 6 months - Babies are interested in exploring the senses of sight sound and touch
6-12 months - Developmentally interested in mobility, crawling, learning to walk, safety important as objects still being mouthed
12 to18 months - Children this age are curious about how things work and still put most things in their mouth. Mobility, coordination and manipulative skills are still developing.
Toys & Gift Suggestions: Birth to 18 months
soft toys
things with bright contrasting colors
rattles (wooden or silver)
mobiles (that catch children’s attention/ reflective)
squeaky toys
music boxes
balls (of various sizes and textures)
knock down toys
blocks
bath and pouring toys
simple wooden musical instruments
push or pull toys
spinning top
drop boxes
stacking toys
rings and bases
board books
Montessori Toys for Toddlers
18 to 24 months - Children are learning to control events and organize the world, they have little sense of danger. Mostly, cannot share. They want to imitate you, yet are still becoming independent
2-3 years - More imitation of adult behavior and exploration of the adult world. Enjoy manipulating objects, express their own personality and test everything.
Toys & Gift Suggestions: 18 months to 3 years
posting toys
wooden jigsaws
blocks
sandpit toys
hammer and pegs
wooden animals
rocking horse
crayons, colored pens
paints, easel board
simple musical instruments
household objects (real child sized)
moving toys (such as trucks)
large threading beads
bean bags
wheelbarrow or a wagon
interlocking blocks
doll equipment and clothing
large cartons and boxes
play dough
realistic animals (farm or zoo)
child sized cleaning apparatus (mops, brooms, gardening tools)
simple story books
GIVE YOUR CHILD THE WORLD!
Be part of the Kiddie Toes Montessori School Family!
Our elementary level follows the Progressive Education Method. We also use the Singapore Math Curriculum.
The Progressive Education’s main objective is to educate the "whole child" (physical, emotional and intellectual)
Qualities:
• Emphasis on learning by doing (experiential learning)
• Integrated curriculum focused on thematic units
• Strong emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking
• Group work and development of social skills
• Collaborative and cooperative learning projects
• Education for social responsibility and democracy
• Integration of community service and service learning projects into the daily curriculum
• Selection of subject content by looking forward to ask what skills will be needed in future society
• De-emphasis on textbooks in favor of varied learning resources
• Emphasis on life-long learning and social skills
Our elementary level follows the Progressive Education Method. We also use the Singapore Math Curriculum.
The Progressive Education’s main objective is to educate the "whole child" (physical, emotional and intellectual)
Qualities:
• Emphasis on learning by doing (experiential learning)
• Integrated curriculum focused on thematic units
• Strong emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking
• Group work and development of social skills
• Collaborative and cooperative learning projects
• Education for social responsibility and democracy
• Integration of community service and service learning projects into the daily curriculum
• Selection of subject content by looking forward to ask what skills will be needed in future society
• De-emphasis on textbooks in favor of varied learning resources
• Emphasis on life-long learning and social skills
School facilities
- Airconditioned classrooms
- Highly qualified Teachers
- Imported learning materials
- English as the medium of instruction
- Spacious play area
- Ideally located in the center of the city
- Comfortable waiting area
- Highly qualified Teachers
- Imported learning materials
- English as the medium of instruction
- Spacious play area
- Ideally located in the center of the city
- Comfortable waiting area