Montessori Home Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers
“The child has one intuitive aim:
Self development.
He wants to develop his resources, his ability to cope with a strangs, complex world.
He wants to see and learn for himself, through his senses,
and not through the eyes of an adult.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori
Adult Considerations
Let the child reveal their developmental interests to you, vs. imposing an agenda
Anything you do for a child, find one way for them to participate, no matter how inconsequential it may seem
Whenever possible, guide silently from behind to keep the focus on the execution of the task, vs. on you
Avoid doing a skill for the child that the child can not yet do… such as drawing a picture for them, placing them up on a climbing structure, or fashioning something out of playdough that they are not yet doing. Nudge a little, sure, but avoid going too much beyond where they are “at”
There are no right and wrong answers...let the child “find their way”, on their own terms
Explain things to your child in the simplest of terms
Protect children from our fears and concerns
Activity Ideas
open ended exploration:
Pure play to support imagination,
concentration and independent play
Place dry rice and beans with cups and spoons in a tub, or in a kitchen drawer. Put a sheet underneath to catch and clean up the spills
Place dry corn kernels in a tub with added small construction vehicles
Water play with a bit of dish soap, to make bubbles, or added food coloring. Place towels on the floor to catch the spills
Large Motor Indoors and out:
Indoor-the body leads the mind
Outdoor-free exploration in nature
Cover a small table (folding, coffee, etc.) with a blanket or a bedsheet -a place to "nest"-crawl in and out or, build a hideaway with sturdy couch pillows
Set up an obstacle course using any variety of items, such as couch pillows, small stools and chairs, yoga mats- anything to vary the floor surface to wrangle over, under and around
Hang a foam ball from a door frame for child to bat at using a cardboard tube, fly swatter, pool noodle, soft paddle, or hands
Have a dance party. When music stops- freeze!
Outdoor exploration and lots of it every day! The child is free to be on the move- to walk over uneven terrain, run, climb, reach, peer closely, look up, smell, fall down and pick one’s self up, collect, dig, listen, observe, get dirty, play on own terms…”Free to Be”
Self Care Activities:
Develop real life capabilities. Opportunity to master self reliant independence.
Promote a feeling of self worth.
Prepare food or serve self using child size cooking and serving tools
Use "targets" to guide where to place belongings, such as low hooks for coats, separate areas and trays for toys, designated areas for shoes, or coats
A low place to sit to change shoes
Provide a small hand towel to pat hands dry. (Place the open towel on a flat surface. One hand is placed on one side of the towel. Fold towel over the hand, and pat 3 times. Switch hands)
Choose own clothing from 2 choices (provided by adult)
Hang a mirror at child’s level to brush or comb own hair
Home Care:
Develop real life capabilities
Support the desire to contribute to family life
Fold laundry (start with washcloths, or just always provide washcloths with a basket or tray to place them into)
Put aways clean laundry
Place soiled clothes in a hamper
Set the table
Vacuum (large or dust buster)
Small dustpan and broom -always within child’s reach
Feed pets (place premeasured food in a container for them to pour into pet's bowl)
Polish leaves using a spray bottle of water, damp sponge and small drying cloth
bonus activity ideas:
I receive no compensation for these recommendations.
Barefoot Books- Check out their audiobook and cardboard book selections. (Cardboard books are perfect for toddlers to manage independently!)
For Small Hands- A Montessori-based company, offering an assortment of materials used for real life experiences, as well as activities and toys
Beginner’s Hammering Kit (safety precautions apply)
contact Marcia
Bring out the best in you
bring out the best in the child.