Montessori Newborn Kit, available at Monti Kids , $75
This Newborn Kit is a thoughtful collection of Montessori toys that focuses on the specific developmental goals of infants. The kit has a child-safe floor mirror and high contrast book to support eye-tracking as well as rattles and silicon balls that promote core strength, reaching, and grasping development. Having them available in one kit saves you time searching for toys that target each milestone, and time is valuable when you're a new parent.
Recommended ages: newborn to 1 year old
Play Silks, available at Bella Luna Toys, $15.95
Colorful and soft play silks are fun at any age and are perfect for playing peekaboo with infants and babies, which helps with a baby's development. The game teaches object permanence, learning something exists even when you can't see, hear, or touch it anymore.
Recommended ages: newborn to 5 years old
Montessori Climber Arch, available at Etsy, $109.60
Toys that adapt to kids' interests and needs are the best. You can rock them on this pillowed arch or put the pillow on the floor for tummy time. As your child grows, climbing over and under the arch will provide hours of play while promoting balance, coordination, and imagination.
Recommended ages: newborn to 5 years old
Babybjorn Baby Cup, 2-pack, available at Amazon and Target, from $18.99
If you are starting to consider incorporating more independence into your baby's daily routine, introducing a baby cup is a great start. What sets this cup apart is that the BPA and PVC-free plastic won't break and is translucent, making it easier for a child to learn to drink from a cup on their own.
Recommended ages: 6 months to 2 years old
Grimm's Wooden Conical Stacking Tower, available at Hazelnut Kids, $45
I searched for a dowel stacker like this forever. Several details of this design make my Montessori heart swoon. It hits all the right notes for color identification, developing a sense of order, and fine motor coordination.
Recommended ages: 1 to 5 years old
Natural Bentwood Multipurpose Kids Wooden Chair Set (3-Piece), available on Amazon, $187.42
This versatile set easily adapts to your child's changing needs. We have this set in our playroom and love it. Why? When a child sits in a chair with their feet on the floor, they develop better core strength, leading to better fine motor skills, like handwriting and self-feeding.
Recommended ages: 1 to 5 years old
Melissa & Doug Let's Play House! Dust, Sweep & Mop, available at Target and Kohl's, from $25.19
There is this delightful phase where toddlers want nothing more than to help out around the house. This set will encourage your little one to put that desire into action. Better yet, it empowers them to clean up their messes and be proud helpers at home.
Recommended ages: 2 to 5 years old
Jojo Woodpecker Catching Bug Game, available at Amazon, $28.99
Games that encourage fine motor development are always a great addition to any toy collection at home, but toys that can provide more than one educational element are even better. Children can master using their thumb and forefinger to pick up the worms and hide them in the tree or use the magnetic beaked bird to pull the worms out.
Recommended ages: 2 to 4 years old
Toys for Life Sort the Beads, available at Tout About Toys, $23.99
Bead stringing is an excellent activity for building fine motor skills and patterning. Being able to identify patterns is essential to learning math, reading, and writing. This set is ideal because it gradually increases the difficulty and allows children to steadily build on their fine motor skills, and it's fun.
Recommended ages: 2 to 4 years old
Panda Brothers Montessori Screw Driver Board, available at Amazon, $31.99
If your child is into trucks and building, chances are this screwdriver set is the perfect gift to help develop their fine motor skills. Kids are always dazzled when given real things, making this board appealing to busy young learners.
Recommended ages: 3 to 5 years old
Stage 1: Beginning Readers Bundle, available at Bob Books, $52.99
If you are hesitant to start a literacy routine with your child, look no further than the Bob Books Beginning Readers Bundle. These books have been a favorite on my classroom shelves for years. The Bundle has everything you need to begin a positive reading journey.
Recommended ages: 3 to 5 years old
Montessori: Letter Work Board Book, available on Amazon, $9.39
Montessori: Number Work Board Book, available on Amazon, $10.59
These two workbooks are a staple in almost all Montessori classrooms. They are the perfect all-in-one material for teaching your child their letters and numbers using the Montessori method.
Recommended ages: 3 to 5 years old
Q Toys Natural Counting Board, available at The Tot, $36.99
The design of this number board is excellent for teaching essential foundations of math. It doesn't take up much space and is beautifully illustrated. The grooves in the board ensure counting success, building positive associations with math, which is always a win.
Recommended ages: 3 to 5 years old
Gonge Hilltops Stepping Stones (Set of 5), available at Amazon and Fat Brain Toys, from $119.99
I'm from Maine, and there are days in the winter when it is too cold to go outside to play, so having toys that help burn off energy are essential. These stepping stones will bring your "floor is lava" game to a whole new level while promoting balance and coordination.
Recommended ages: 2 to 5 years old
Liquid Motion and Sand Timers, available at Amazon, $16.59
Daydreaming helps our brains relax and improves our ability to be creative. These groovy timers are a fun way for kids to learn about the passing of time and an excellent tool to promote relaxation and daydreaming.
Recommended ages: 1 to 5 years old
Smithsonian Children's Illustrated Atlas, available on Amazon and Target, from $12.79
Seeing how children live in other parts of the world is one way Montessori kids learn geography and culture and begin exploring concepts of peace. The illustrations, pictures, and age-appropriate text in this atlas will ignite your child's curiosity and sense of wonder for the world around them.
Recommended ages: 3 to 5 years old
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