What are Montessori Toys And Their Characteristics
Play helps kids learn crucial skills and fosters their creativity, making it an essential component of learning. So while toys should be fun and engaging, the Montessori method encourages parents to choose toys that stimulate the imagination.
According to a 2017 study, toddlers who participated in Montessori programs outperformed their non-participating peers in academic success, social understanding, and executive function skills, such as paying attention and managing time. As a result, choosing toys that align with this proven program can improve their lives for years to come.
Source: thebump.com
What is a Montessori Toy?
A Montessori toy stimulates learning by encouraging kids to experiment. The toy should be something they can grip and handle with their hands; this will assist children in developing their fine motor skills. Additionally, the toy should permit kids to exercise their imagination and work autonomously at their own pace.
Through open-ended play, Montessori toys are made to encourage kids' innate curiosity and creativity. Maria Montessori believed that allowing kids to explore independently without clear goals encouraged them to explore their environment through play and exploration.
Playing with these toys allows children to develop observation, memory, problem-solving, language development, and motor coordination skills. These toys also encourage social interaction among children.
How To Distinguish A Toy As A Montessori Toy
A Montessori toy encourages engagement and has educational value rather than being merely amusing or distracting (this is why these toys do not use batteries). Since you perform an activity instead of a toy, Montessori toys are commonly known as activities.
For instance, a box of Lego blocks could be called a Montessori toy because they allow children to explore their environment by building things. Children learn how to construct things by assembling different pieces and are encouraged to experiment with their imaginations to develop new ideas.
By contrast, a specific Lego set wouldn't be considered a Montessori toy since they expect children to follow directions with an intended result.
Characteristics of a Montessori Toy
Learning to recognize the characteristics of a Montessori toy can help you identify which ones will best promote your child's development. While there are several varieties of Montessori-inspired toys, they do share some common traits:
Real Life
Babies and toddlers look at things with curiosity. Surround them with authentic pictures and lifelike replicas of everyday objects and animals. Young children are drawn to familiar things by nature because they find them reassuring and intriguing.
Natural Materials
Children employ a variety of senses at once to learn about many subjects, which is how the brain converts a world full of possibilities into practical abilities. Natural materials like wood, felt, and metal can all be used to explore differences in texture, temperature, and weight, as this sensory-rich learning experience is central to the Montessori toy philosophy.
Focus On Single Skill
For growing kids, focusing on one thing rather than doing multiple things is essential. That is where Montessori toys come in, as they help to focus on one task. When toddlers or babies concentrate on multiple tasks, this can prevent them from more profound learning. Understanding any concept is easier when there is focus. This will also develop their concentration skills.
Promotes STEM
Your young one is constantly trying to explore and test anything they can get their hands on to make sense of the world. It plays a vital role in learning the basic concept of physics through stem learning.
Independent Learning
Deep learning includes contributing to others, caring for oneself, and handling the environment with real-life, age-appropriate tools or child-sized alternatives. These practical life skills will make him or her a better family member with better social skills.
Types of Montessori Toys
What better way to learn than experimenting? These toys play a vital role in developing kids' sensory development skills as these games are exciting and encouraging. Two essential types work well when it comes to sensory development.
Montessori Puzzle Games
Puzzles are an excellent method of education to develop the mind. They also help your little explorer engage in information about the physical world through colors, shapes, weight, and even textures. These puzzle games allow the child to practice fine things for motor skill development, fundamental mathematical concepts, and logical reasoning.
Montessori Climbing Toys
Montessori climbing toys are a fantastic approach to education for more active kids and frequently promote running, tumbling, climbing, jumping, crawling, and balancing. This will promote physical growth and teach your children about physically interacting with the world. A balance board is an excellent way to practice balancing, build strength, and encourage creativity.
Wooden blocks
Simple wooden blocks are one of the most popular types of Montessori-inspired toys. Stacking and manipulating blocks helps children develop spatial awareness and logic. In addition, they are great for developing hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
Blocks are also open-ended, which encourages creativity and imagination. Your child can create all sorts of structures out of blocks, including towers and houses, and may play for hours without building the same design twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we looked at some common questions and answered them for you to consider:
What are Montessori toys?
Montessori toys are educational toys designed specifically for children of all ages. They're made of sustainable natural materials such as wood, stone, clay, and rubber. These toys are designed to teach children how to interact with the world around them while encouraging independence and self-reliance.
Are Montessori toys safe?
Yes, Montessori toys are safe for use by children of all ages. They're crafted using only the highest quality materials and are tested to ensure safety before being released to the market. Most Montessori toys don't feature tiny parts that can pose a choking hazard.
How do I choose the right Montessori toy for my kid?
When selecting a Montessori toy for your child, there are three main factors to consider. The first consideration is the material. You should choose a toy with a high durability level so your child can enjoy it for a long time. Second, consider how simple it is to clean.
You'll also need to consider what skills you want to reinforce. Depending on your child's needs, you may want to select a toy that promotes math, science, language, art, music, or other areas of interest. On the other hand, you might prefer something that encourages independent play or requires adult assistance.
Do Montessori toys cost much?
Because they're made of high-quality, natural materials, Montessori toys tend to cost a little more than similar toys on the market. However, they also don't incorporate electronics or require batteries, so they're cheaper in the long run.
After factoring in the long-term benefits to your child's development, these toys are a fantastic investment in their future.
Why are Montessori Toys Wooden?
Maria Montessori favored toys made of wood because they are free of harmful chemicals and inspiring to children. Studies have found that playing with wooden toys can have a natural calming effect. Also, toys made from natural materials can stimulate the senses better than plastic toys.
What are the benefits of Montessori toys?
Montessori toys stimulate learning by encouraging kids to experiment. They help your child's development because they are exciting and interactive and encourage them to explore their curiosity.
What are some Montessori toys for babies?
Montessori toys can be introduced to children straight from birth. Here are a few baby toys that are perfect for different ages of your child:
Birth and older:
6 months and older:
- Textured balls
- Object permanence box
- Musical instruments
12 months and older:
- Vertical stackers
- Pop up toy
- Wooden puzzles
- Lifelike baby dolls
- Pull toys
- Vocabulary cards
- Practical life activities
18 Months and older:
- Knobbed cylinders
- Hammer style toy
- Animal figurines
- Push toys
- Outdoor garden tool set
- Pikler triangle or climbing arch
Two years and older:
- Educational busy books
- Wooden shape puzzles
- Play cleaning supplies
- Pegboard set
- Wooden discs
- Farm animal matching activity set
Is there a difference between Montessori toys and traditional toys?
Traditional toys are usually made of hard plastics and metals, which do not encourage exploration. On the other hand, Montessori toys are made of soft materials that promote exploration and stimulate the senses.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Montessori toys are designed to encourage children to explore their world through hands-on activities.
With these proven Montessori toy benefits, your child will grow into an active, curious learner who develops confidence and independence. They will also be able to think creatively and develop social skills to succeed in school and life.
These toys are perfect for toddlers because they develop fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities without being overwhelmed by too many distractions. Visit our website to shop our incredible selection of Montessori toys designed to promote your child's development today.