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
