Everything You Need to Know About Montessori Toys

Montessori toys help children learn and develop naturally through hands-on exploration, sparking their curiosity about the world around them. Officially, there is no such thing as Montessori toys, but there are toys that share the characteristics of the Montessori method for independent learning. This makes them ideal for parents who value learning that promotes problem-solving, fine motor skills and concentration.

What are Montessori Toys?

Montessori toys align with the Montessori method of education. This means that they encourage children to learn and develop independently. Their characteristics include:

• Natural materials, e.g. wood 
• Based on real-life
• Open-ended
• Encourages age-appropriate independence 
• Simplicity 
• Provides choice in how a toy is played with
• Look good - colourful and attractive
• Develop one skill at a time

Montessori Toy Benefits

Montessori toys benefit kids by providing them the opportunity to learn independently. They boost their cognitive development, motor development, problem-solving and everyday skills. For children with ADHD, Montessori toys can help them learn through hands-on play and tactile experiences.

Cognitive Development

The best Montessori toys offer problem-solving skills while encouraging kids to use their senses and fine motor abilities. They are often open-ended toys that encourage children to use them differently. 

Toys such as stacking toys are great for cognitive development as the children use trial and error to figure out how to build their tower without it toppling over. Young children will choose to play for long periods of time as they focus and develop their concentration skills to do what they are trying to do. These types of activities also develop spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination and creativity. 

Toys that offer excellent education value and cognitive development include some of the following popular toys.

• Stacking blocks
• Toy cash registers
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Wooden block sets
• Linking toys
• Sand play sets

Everyday Skills

One of the core values of Montessori is play and learning through real-life experience and everyday activities. These types of toys help kids develop independence, concentration and problem-solving skills. One of the benefits of Montessori toys is that this kind of play allows children to think for themselves and try to figure out how something works.

Popular toys that encourage hands-on learning include:

• Doctors play sets
• Play kitchens 
• Button and lacing 
• Building blocks
• Garden tools and workbenches
• Stacking and sorting toys
• Play money
• Puzzles

One of the features of Montessori toys that develop everyday skills is that they are open-ended. Kids are able to explore and discover for themselves and figure out how they work. The focus is on a single skill at one time so that they can master it, but because children are learning independently, they can add more skills or elements themselves. 

Helps Kids with ADHD

Children with ADHD often experience difficulty in formal or traditional learning environments. For children who find it hard to focus and stay on task for very long, Montessori toys provide kids with ADHD self-directed activities where they can play freely. Benefits of Montessori toys for kids with ADHD include:

• The toys are simple and don’t have flashing lights and loud noises.
• The colours of the toys are neutral and less distracting.
• Children can learn independently at their own pace.
• Children focus on single concepts, making the toys less confusing.
• Montessori toys encourage hands-on learning. As many ADHD kids fidget, this helps them focus more easily.

What are the Best Montessori Toys for Your Kid? 

There are suitable Montessori toys for babies and young children. It is important to choose toys for your child's age to ensure they are safe and designed with age-appropriate skills. 

Best Montessori Toys for Newborn

The best toys for newborns involve things they can hold. At this age, babies learn to grab things and explore their world by touch. Expect newborns and babies below the age of 1 to put objects and toys in their mouths, so it is essential to ensure there are no small parts or possible choking hazards.

Suitable toys for newborns include:

• Black and white picture books
• Baby play gym 
• Mobiles
• Wooden rattles
• Soft balls

The best Montessori toys for 6-12 month olds are slightly more interesting and advanced. They are now able to sit up and engage with their toys. Some toys for 6-12 month olds include:

• Textured balls
• Baby safe mirrors
• Musical instruments

Best Montessori Toys for 1 Year Old

By the time a child reaches 12 months of age, they are mobile and able to do a lot more. They need more stimulation and toys that develop fine motor skills and coordination.

Must have Montessori toys for one year olds include:

• Stacking blocks and stacking cubes
• Popup toys
• Wooden puzzles
• Pull toys
• Vocabulary cards
• Sorting toys
• Baby walker with blocks

Best Montessori Toys for 2 Year Olds 

Once your child is two years old, they are toddlers and like to be busy. They are starting to communicate and often want to do things independently. Montessori toys are perfect for this. 

The best Montessori toys for 2-3 year olds include:

• Knobbed cylinders 
• Hammer style toys
• Push toys
• Ride-on toys, e.g. rocking unicorn
• Balance board
• Vertical car race tracks/ramps 
• Bead stringing sets

Best Montessori Toys for 3+ Year Olds 

When children reach the age of 3, they can communicate well and are naturally curious about the world around them. They are ready to explore and learn independently. They are usually prepared to play with others for short periods. They also enjoy imaginative play and open-ended toys.

The best Montessori toys for 3-4 year olds include:

• Rainbow stacker
• Toy doctor’s set
• Real-world play sets, e.g. kitchen for pretend play
• Wooden puzzles, learning puzzles
• Construction set
• Wooden stacking boxes
• Wooden blocks
• Art easel 
• Climbing toys

Shop at Hip Hop for your Kids Favourite Montessori Toys 

Hip Hop is an online store founded by parents to provide functional and durable toys. Elevate playtime for your kids with our Montessori toy range. They are designed for creative and cognitive learning to enhance problem-solving skills. Order now with prompt Australian delivery available.