Take care in choosing what to put in your child’s play space, and not only will you see those toys used for years to come, but with a smaller assortment of thoughtfully selected play pieces, you shouldn’t experience the overwhelming clutter and chaos that often goes hand-in-hand with parenting.
Some Montessori toys may seem expensive, but when you consider you are likely to buy far fewer toys using the Montessori method and that many of the toys will “grow” with your child (meaning they will be used for an extended period of time), you can see that they actually represent much better value for money than many modern toys.
If you need help with setting up your play space, Mosaic Montessori Academy has information on applying the Montessori method at home in their blog.
Here is a selection of Montessori-friendly toys that will bring many happy hours of play and exploration and won’t lose their attraction after just a few weeks or months.
Musical toys
There is a multitude of musical toys made for little hands. Get a selection including chiming instruments such as bells, a triangle, and glockenspiel, percussive instruments like a drum, tambourine, Güiro, and shakers like maracas and egg shakers.
Blocks
The staple of any Montessori play space is building blocks. The youngest children will start by stacking and knocking down, and as they progress in age, the constructions become ever-more complex, from tall buildings and town layouts to vehicles and robots. They go as far as the child’s capabilities and imagination will take them.
Dolls house
While you are unlikely to find a dollhouse in a Montessori classroom, and there are some who believe they have no place in a Montessori home either, there are also many who believe a simple wooden dollhouse is an excellent resource for imaginary play and ideal for independent play. Adding one to your playroom will certainly offer enjoyment for many years and encourage child-led play.
Sand and water tables
You may not realize it, but sand and water tables are home to some of the first science experiments children will ever carry out. Working out how these materials move and interact is hugely important in children understanding more about the world around them. They are also great for strengthening little hands as they practice pouring, scooping, and digging.
Balls
Simple yet effective. Children of all ages will return to a basket of balls time and time again. Choose different sizes and textures and witness how small children simply investigate each one and as they grow, experiment with how to roll, then throw, then catch and direct them.
Play silks
Don’t be tempted to fill a dressing-up box full of uniforms and costumes, as this removes the imaginary part of the game and dictates what they can use the outfit for. Instead, provide play silks and other fabrics, and you will see how one day it will be a costume, another day a blanket for a cuddly, and another a landscape for toy animals.
Animal figures
Talking of toy animals, this is another great option to invest in. In this case, the rule of wooden toys should be ignored and instead opt for realistic plastic ones. Go for as realistic as you can, such as Schleich, to help your youngsters learn about the natural world while at home.
There are many more options to choose from, but starting with this small selection will avoid overwhelming a little brain, will foster concentration and independence, and will leave the play space less of a disaster zone at the end of the day!
