Montessori Toys That Will Grow With Your Kid

If it’s good enough for Prince George…

WTF is Montessori? If you know it as a word getting thrown around at the playground that you’re dutifully nodding along to, sleep tired AF and wondering if the park coffee shop is still open, then let us cut to the chase. Maria Montessori was an Italian educator who philosophised her namesake education system in the early 20th century. The Montessori method — of which Prince George is a student, and Beyonce a graduate — is built on the idea that children naturally have the curiosity and creativity to learn about their world. All you need to do is provide the tools to explore it. The Montessori approach to play involves fewer, higher quality toys, each with a purpose, made from mostly natural materials, that can grow along with your child. Here, we’re highlighting the Montessori method-approved toys that will get played with for years (and years).

Jnr Life Play Sets

Create an indoor climbing structure, stack them as giant blocks, slide, sit, roll and create. These open-ended play pieces will prompt and inspire!

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Wee Gallery Animal Alphabet Cards

Even at 6 months, babies still don’t see a full range of colour. So high-contrast toys, like black and white cards, are attractive to them. Visual candy for newborns. Young babies will look at these cards, but then they'll use them to make the animal sounds.

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Zookabee Alphabet Puzzle

Montessori schools teach the alphabet through phonetics, tracing the letters while making the sound. This puzzle lets them trace the board, and test their hand-eye coordination in placing the pieces back in. The animal on each letter lets them connect the sound of the letter to an animal, and they can use the blocks to start making words as they get older.

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Jnr Life Oval Play Mat

A clean work space is essential to the Montessori method, so a good cloth play mat can have life long after tummy tum. Toddlers and children can use the mat in the way adults use a desk, a place where “work” can take place. This mat is a good size for older toddlers to be able to roll it up themselves and light enough for them to pick up and put away when work time is over.

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