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The word "Montessori" on a toy box describes a style. What makes a toy fit the Montessori method is how it's designed: it works on one thing at a time, it lets your child see and fix their own mistakes, and it's the right size for them. Use those three tests and you can find Montessori-style toys anywhere, including ones you already own. Here's how to apply them from age 1 to 5, and how to set up a shelf at home.
Three tests for a Montessori-style toy
1. One thing at a time
Montessori materials isolate one idea and add one step of difficulty at a time. A shape sorter with a single shape, or a set of puzzles that goes from two pieces to six, passes. A toy that flashes, sings, counts and teaches colours all at once doesn't.
2. Your child can see their own mistakes
Montessori calls this the control of error: the toy shows your child when something's wrong, so they can fix it without an adult telling them. A puzzle piece that only fits one way does this. So does a card game where your child turns the card over to check their answer.
3. It fits your child
Montessori materials are sized for the children using them. At home, that means pieces small hands can grip, a stool to reach the sink, and storage low enough for your child to take things out and put them back.
Ages 1 to 2: in, out and doing it myself
At this age, simple put-in-and-take-out play fits the one-thing-at-a-time test. The Itzy Ritzy Play Barn Spill and Fill ($19.99) has four animals to put in and take out of a barn with a door.
Montessori also includes practical life: real everyday tasks, with tools sized for the child. A sturdy step stool, like the BC Babycare Step Stool ($34.99, non-slip base), lets your toddler reach the sink to wash their hands with you there.
Ages 2 to 3: first puzzles and helping in the kitchen
- Jar Melo My First Puzzle Set, Dinosaur, $19.99, ages 2+. Six puzzles that get harder one step at a time, from fewer pieces to more.
- Mideer My First Puzzle, Mom & Baby, $23.99, ages 2+. Six small puzzles, 31 pieces in total.
Start with the puzzle with the fewest pieces, and put the others away until that one is easy. For helping in the kitchen, families with a Cybex Lemo chair can add the Lemo Training Tower ($169.95), which brings children of about 1 to 4 years, up to 55 lb, to counter height.
Ages 3 to 5: matching and self-checking
- LOGICO PRIMO Starter Kit, $39.95. Your child slides coloured buttons to answer each card, then turns the card over to check. That's the control of error in action. The board is for ages 3+, and the card pack in this kit is labelled 5+, so younger children may need other PRIMO packs. Our LOGICO PRIMO vs PICCOLO guide explains the two systems.
- Smart Games Gnome Sweet Gnome, $42.95, ages 3+. Build what's on the card with wooden gnomes and flowerpots, then compare. Our Smart Games by age guide has more.
- Jar Melo First Puzzle Match and Count, $14.99, ages 3+. Match the pictures to the numbers, 30 pieces in all.
Setting up a shelf at home
In Montessori classrooms, materials sit on low shelves, in order from easiest to hardest. You can borrow that at home:
- Keep it low and open. Your child should be able to see everything, take it out and put it back without help.
- Put out a few things at a time. A shelf with six toys can be easier to choose from, and to tidy, than a bin with thirty. Swap a few out every week or two, and bring back old favourites later.
- Give each toy its own spot, on a tray or in a basket, so tidying up is part of the game.
- Arrange by difficulty, easiest on one side, so your child can move along as they're ready.
If an open shelf doesn't suit your space, low storage with bins your child can reach works too, like the iloom Eddi Kids Toy Storage ($167.99), with two angled upper bins and two larger lower ones.
Does it have to be wooden?
No. Montessori materials are meant to be attractive and durable, and many are wooden, but the method is about how a toy works, not what it's made of. Our wooden vs plastic toys guide compares the two on care, weight and repairs, and our Hape and Janod guide covers classic wooden toys.
Shopping for a birthday or the holidays? See our gift guide for 2-year-olds. Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit to ask what's on the shelf.
