Keep one to two items per group on the toy shelf, clearly displayed and accessible for the child to reach. When people ask me to briefly describe Montessori and why it’s different, I usually stumble over my words. Declutter your child's spaces and set them up so that s/he may be as independent as possible (can reach toys and access things like water and tissues). I think Henry is still a little too young to get this wholly, but we will keep trying to encourage it.

A Montessori environment for very young children gives your infant or toddler the freedom to safely explore and learn through discovery. Entire living areas transform into playrooms; walls become giant art canvases; and kitchen counters are held hostage to endless piles of, well, no one really knows what. Mixing baking soda and vinegar together creates an exciting chemical reaction that little ones love.The Monti Kids Level six kit has four nesting dolls in primary colors and is especially great for younger toddlers. I am new to the Montessori field, but feel that it aligns perfectly with my vision and desired responses as a parent. Acknowledging the effort they put into something rather than the end result also encourages children to seek out challenges more often, and to do activities because it feels good rather than because they want praise. I’ve now been working in Montessori education for 15 years and love to learn from the 100+ toddlers and parents I see every week in my classroom.

Equipment that supports gross and fine motor skills, such as low ladders with railings for children who are just learning to walk, are available for toddlers to try. For younger children, you can start with a small, easy-to-hold picture and have the child water the plants on a predetermined schedule. This activity might require a bit more prep, but it’s another great way to introduce letter sounds to your toddler.

This toy helps your child refine their hand movements as they grab and place the balls on the track. Or you can offer your child additional materials to work with, like playdough tools, fresh herbs, stones, popsicle sticks, and more. He had always had a pretty good attention span for his age, but we noticed things he once loved were no longer holding his interest. Fill the first set with something quiet (like sand or rice), the second set with something slightly louder (like beads or pasta), the third set with something even louder (like coins), and the fourth set with the loudest material (like rocks).

The key principle of Montessori is that children should be encouraged to be independent and responsible for their learning and environment. For an even richer sensory experience, try adding different colors and scents to your playdough using child-safe food coloring, spices, or essential oils. This activity is designed to help your child learn to distinguish different sounds from one another and learn to match identical sounds.

You can see the delight and pride on a toddler’s face when they put their own shoes on for the first time. Each day we’d lay out a bunch of toys for him to play with, displayed in a nice circle which really helped foster independent play. Or just open up the book at a page that interests you and you will find something practical you can try today. If your little one is interested, play another round or two – you can even let your child be the “hider” while you guess what’s missing. However, Davies explores the main principles with just enough information that you feel motivated and informed but not overwhelmed.

For example – there is an explanation given of the chair method of helping your toddler to sleep independently. The idea is that infants and children come to know what to expect and feel more secure with that knowledge. You can use anything from pots and pans to drums and xylophones, and let your child experiment with making different sounds and rhythms.So, take time to let your child observe an animal that lives in your area, ideally in its natural environment.