If you are shopping for a toddler, this is not your article. Most of what gets sold as a Montessori toy for a two- or three-year-old is a shape sorter, a stacking ring, or a knobbed puzzle, and a five-year-old will complete any of those in about forty seconds and never touch them again. The…
Best Montessori Toys for 4-Year-Olds: Buying Guide and Shortlist The people who sell Montessori toys will tell you the good ones are made of beech, cost $90, and come with a lesson plan. The people who actually run Montessori classrooms will tell you something less marketable: the best material for a four-year-old is the one…
I remember the moment it hit me. My daughter was three, sitting on the living room floor with a wooden puzzle that had a single piece left—a triangle that simply would not fit into the square-shaped hole. She tried. She turned it. She tried again. And then, instead of crying or calling for help, she…
I have a confession to make. When my oldest turned five, I thought I had to choose between two parenting paths: the structured, screen-filled world of traditional science kits with their flashy buttons and pre-determined outcomes, or the beautiful, wooden, but sometimes abstract world of Montessori materials. I worried that if I picked the wrong…
When your toddler starts to move, explore, and reach for the sky, outdoor climbing toys can be a lifesaver for their physical development — and your sanity. Whether it’s a small backyard, patio, or play area, durable outdoor toys let your child climb, jump, and explore safely while encouraging motor skills, balance, and confidence. In…