Play invitations for children 1 - 2 years of age
By Olynda Smith, AMS Certified Montessori Primary teacher. We know that modeling is one of the most effective ways we teach children. They are learning from our example whether we intend for them to or not! The profound ability that young children ha
A toddler’s brain synapses are amazingly complex allowing for a child to have an explosion of language. It is possible your child may be beginning this language explosion right now or that their sensitive period for language acquisition is still on t
Take a look through your toys and through the objects in your home and see if you can find some objects that are exact replicas. To start, pick about 3 pairs of objects and place them in a basket on the toy shelf. Take care to pick items that are the
This classic developmental toy is designed with 4 distinct 3D shapes: sphere, triangular prism, cube, and rectangular prism. The shapes are designed so that the child has practice matching 3D shapes into the corresponding 2D holes: circle, triangle
This auto transporter can be used in imaginative play and as individual items. Consider demonstrating how to stack the cars. Consider demonstrating how to disassemble the cars. Model rolling the cars over different surfaces and observe the different
This beautiful double sided butterfly puzzle is an incredibly dynamic item that can be used as a traditional shape puzzle and in imaginative play. It can also inspire a deep dive into learning about butterflies. Demonstrate removing each of the
This adorable snail shape sorter combines the gross motor fun of a pull-along toy with a shape sorter. The snail base can be used to pull the shape sorter and the "shell" can be removed and used as a shape sorter. Consider removing each of the shapes
This classic Waldorf learning tool is perfect for helping your toddler begin to understand the passage of time. According to Waldorf pedagogy each day of the week corresponds to one color. Monday is violet, Tuesday is red, Wednesday is yellow
This toddler puzzle is meant to be used with your toddler once he/she has had practice with the basic three shapes (triangle, circle, and square) and is ready for a greater challenge. Opposing shapes have been placed beside one another to help your
The adorable Rainbow Crew introduces imaginative play combined with fine motor development. The Crew can start as a simple puzzle to return the pegs to their base and expand to include independent play with other items. While holding each peg
The delightful sound of the wooden balls as they rattle through captivates the attention of young children, providing a soothing sound that can be calming! The marbles slowly fall downwards as the tower is turned over, creating a vibrant visual
The Hammer Ball Bench is a fantastic combination of gross and fine motor skills that has the pleasing combination of auditory inputs. This bench can help build strong coordination and motor development. While holding each ball, describe the shape
The Mini Construction Vehicle is meant to spark your toddler's imagination and contribute to imaginative play and gross motor work. Model moving the truck on a hard surface. Experiment with moving it on other kinds of surfaces. Incorporate trucks
Nesting is an important concept that helps build knowledge of size relationships and can help foster early language development about size. Consider modeling how to stack the boxes. Consider modeling how to nest the boxes. Model sorting the boxes by
The classic pull toy has had a place in households for hundreds of years. As your child becomes mobile, they will practice their gross motor development as they balance and pull the snake. Model how to pull the snake. Allow ample space and time for
This square knob puzzle helps your child develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while also practicing their pincer grip. This puzzle features knobs for more fine motor skill practice and adds the complexity of size to help your baby
This ring stacker is a classic children's toy reimagined with bright colors. It plays an important role in your child's exploration of spatial awareness and understanding how things are organized and fit together. Model how to remove rings. Model how
This wooden stacking ring is a classic children's toy that has been around for decades. It plays an important role in your child's exploration of spatial awareness and understanding how things are organized and fit together. Model how to remove rings
The magnetic Racer from Tegu includes the traditional design of a race car with the added interest and building support of magnetic pieces. Model stacking pieces onto the base of the car. Describe each color on the wheels of the Tram and demonstrate
The magnetic Tram from Tegu includes the traditional design of a train with the added interest and building support of magnetic pieces. Model stacking pieces onto the base of the Tram. Describe each color on the wheels of the Tram and demonstrate
These magnetic stacking pieces combine the challenge of stacking with shape recognition in a wonderfully imaginative way! Model removing the magnetic pieces from the base. Model connecting the magnetic pieces to their corresponding shapes. If your
This classic rainmaker is a fun way to explore sound and movement. It can be used for musical play and fun and also for exploration of sound. Consider demonstrating how to use the stick by flipping it and shaking it. Give your toddler ample space to
The Woodpecker Game is a fantastic combination of gross and fine motor skills that has the pleasing combination of auditory inputs. This bench can help build strong coordination and motor development. While holding each ball, describe the shape
This elephant puzzle doubles as a set of elephant figurines for imaginative play. While your child may be most interested in removing the pieces to start, the puzzle can scale to include the more complex puzzle, stacking and sorting. Remove all
This beautiful whale puzzle is an incredibly dynamic item that can be used as a traditional shape puzzle and in imaginative play. It can also inspire a deep dive into learning about whales. Demonstrate removing each of the whales. Demonstrate finding
This Flower Push Toy is the perfect toy to introduce as your toddler begins walking (and possibly running!). It combines gross motor development with visual stimulation. Model how to hold the handle and push. Describe each petal including shape and
This robust set of magnetic tiles is an incredible wooden version of the classic plastic tile. These present endless open-ended opportunities for creation and play. Provide your child open space and time to explore building! Consider incorporating
This shape puzzle is a very simple design and style allowing your child to practice their coordination and placement of pieces. It lays the groundwork for more advanced puzzles in the future. Consider demonstrating how to remove each piece from the
The Arranging Game is a wonderful introduction to patterns, problem solving and can be used in collaborative play! Consider selecting one stencil board at a time and start without the use of the pattern cards. Demonstrate how to fit different
The Kaleidoscope Blocks are an incredibly versatile block set that can be used in any building activity to create visual interest. They can be used individually as kaleidoscopes or for creative building. Consider incorporating with another block or
This color matching puzzle is a great introduction to the primary and secondary colors for toddlers ready to identify colors and match them. Because the shape is kept constant, toddlers are able to focus on the skill of color matching. The puzzle
The Lawnmower Push Toy is a classic design that can be introduced as children begin walking. The Push Toy assists in gross motor development and balance while providing interesting colors and sounds! Model how to hold the handle and push. Describe
The adorable Rainbow Wagon full of peg people incorporates movement of both pulling and pushing, critical to your toddler's newfound mobility. While holding each peg, describe the shape and color. Model how to put each peg into their corresponding
The Climbing Nic is a wonderful introduction to cause and effect and provides a great opportunity to practice visual tracking. Consider demonstrating how to affix the Climbing Nic onto the ladder. Consider asking your toddler, "what do you think will
The Sort and Count bowls are incredibly open-ended items. Toddlers have a natural desire to make sense of their world through order and color sorting helps them develop critical order and organization skills that will later lead to mathematics skills
These Geo Matching Blocks provide an opportunity to discuss shape while working on fine motor skills. Model taking each shape out of its base. Model nesting each shape into its base. Trace the shape of the base with your finger and then trace the
The mushroom kaleidoscope is a fun way to explore the environment around you through a new lens! Model how to bring the kaleidoscope to your eye and look through it. Consider putting different colored fabrics in front of the kaleidoscope to observe
Our families love this incredibly fun ramp racer for the obvious fun of watching the car race down the ramp. But the Ramp Racer has so many extensible play opportunities. Model how to line the car up in the track and let it loose. Allow your child
This classic drum helps develop spatial perception and auditory processing ability. The Solid Drum is made to last with a fully wooden base and comes with a drumstick with a rubber head to soften the sound. Consider demonstrating how to use the stick
While what is most striking about the Rainbow is the beautiful design that doubles as decor, we have found it to be a versatile object that starts as a 3D puzzle and develops over time into multiple forms of imaginative play. Select one piece of
This bright puzzle incorporates 3D shapes to help guide your child with the puzzle. This is both a shape puzzle and a color puzzle. Describe the colors on the puzzle using descriptive terms like dark red, light red etc. Flip over a puzzle piece and
This stacking color sorter can be used progressively. Starting as a stacking tray it can be used to practice hand eye coordination and stack discs on the dowels. As your child progresses, you can start to introduce color sorting and matching before
This vibrant Peacock color set invites imaginative play and color recognition. This is a great item to allow your child to explore fully before you introduce any play invitations. It is amazing what your child will create with their own creativity
While what is most striking about the Rainbow is the beautiful design that doubles as decor, we have found it to be a versatile object that starts as a 3D puzzle and develops over time into multiple forms of imaginative play. Select one piece of
This adorable twisting cube has 4 different animals that are displayed when each cube is aligned. Do not be surprised if your child is not able to line up each animal at first, this is a progressive toy. Simply twisting the tubes provides a great
The Sand Play Set can be used during sand and outdoor play to build, construct and explore sensory experiences. Skills developed: tactile exploration, pouring, gross motor skills, scooping Parts included: 1 Bucket and 3 Sand ScoopsSafety: Children’s
The PlanToys Rainmaker supports auditory exploration and cause & effect reasoning. Parts included: 1 Rainmaker. Children's play should be monitored at all times. SKU ID: RAINM-PT-.
Stackers like this 5 Ring Stacker from PoppyBabyCo are used in the Montessori classroom to aid the child in developing the proper grasp and hand-eye coordination. They are perfect toys to help the child begin to hone the grasp needed for writing and