How much does it matter if your children have fun with toys manufactured out of plastic vs. toys made with wood? To what degree should your kids use technology? How many toys do children need? There's an educational philosophy that has been considering these questions for over one hundred years, and it has compelling answers to all of these questions and more. That strategy? Montessori.
The more things you find out about Montessori toys, the more you'll enjoy what the toys are and how they help kids in developing into positive, interested adults. If you enter any average classroom, you'll likely discover tons of toys made from plastic. From the Montessori point of view, the finest toys for children are produced from healthy materials like wood or fabric. These toys are genuinely beautiful, and the natural textures, odors and designs catch the attention of the child's inborn sense of elegance. Also, Montessori stresses just the appropriate quantity of toys and games for youngsters to enjoy and work with. More stuff doesn't mean more happiness. What we want most is for our children to be centered and present at home in the world. For that reason, children only require a few choice toys to use at any particular time.
What kinds of Montessori toys are there? They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but you probably know some already, since there truly isn't much difference between Montessori toys and many traditional toy classics beloved all over the world. From building blocks to wooden or sandpaper letters, Montessori toys are immediately identifiable thanks to their simplicity, elegance and usefulness. Every toy can fulfill many different functions. Each and every toy instructs useful life skills. And best of all--children love them.
What else do you need to know when it comes to Montessori toys? In Montessori there is a key distinction: toys are not actually for play. In fact, the word "toys" isn't even used in the Montessori tradition. Toys are called "materials", and children implement them in order to work. You might think that a toy is just a toy, but it's actually also an essential material that teaches children dexterity and spatial relationships while they work with it. In addition to the strong insistence that toys are in fact important work materials, Montessori also emphasizes the importance of allowing each child to follow their own natural curiosity in order to learn. Rather than structuring children and micromanaging their actions, defer to the child's own innate curiosity and watch as the child naturally pursues certain activities at a natural pace. This is very important for allowing each child to develop their own distinct capacities at their own pace.
When you start buying (or making) Montessori toys for your child, consider that the toys ought to be in range of the child. The child must be able to choose when and how they play with their materials, so store the toys within reach. Keep them on shelves or in toy boxes that the child always has access to. This way, each time the little one is inspired to learn, they'll be able to get to work without having to ask anyone to help them.
Whether or not you're able to send your child to Montessori school, you can still take advantage of the wisdom of the Montessori educational approach. Supply your youngsters with the correct materials and gently direct them into their own process of discovery. The benefits are striking--content, balanced youngsters who make fantastic additions to the world of humanity. The next time you're pondering which toy to get for your child, keep in mind these recommendations from the Montessori tradition and choose with care. Look for a simple, all-natural toy that your child can use to grow and explore, and watch amazing consequences unfold.
The more things you find out about Montessori toys, the more you'll enjoy what the toys are and how they help kids in developing into positive, interested adults. If you enter any average classroom, you'll likely discover tons of toys made from plastic. From the Montessori point of view, the finest toys for children are produced from healthy materials like wood or fabric. These toys are genuinely beautiful, and the natural textures, odors and designs catch the attention of the child's inborn sense of elegance. Also, Montessori stresses just the appropriate quantity of toys and games for youngsters to enjoy and work with. More stuff doesn't mean more happiness. What we want most is for our children to be centered and present at home in the world. For that reason, children only require a few choice toys to use at any particular time.
What kinds of Montessori toys are there? They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but you probably know some already, since there truly isn't much difference between Montessori toys and many traditional toy classics beloved all over the world. From building blocks to wooden or sandpaper letters, Montessori toys are immediately identifiable thanks to their simplicity, elegance and usefulness. Every toy can fulfill many different functions. Each and every toy instructs useful life skills. And best of all--children love them.
What else do you need to know when it comes to Montessori toys? In Montessori there is a key distinction: toys are not actually for play. In fact, the word "toys" isn't even used in the Montessori tradition. Toys are called "materials", and children implement them in order to work. You might think that a toy is just a toy, but it's actually also an essential material that teaches children dexterity and spatial relationships while they work with it. In addition to the strong insistence that toys are in fact important work materials, Montessori also emphasizes the importance of allowing each child to follow their own natural curiosity in order to learn. Rather than structuring children and micromanaging their actions, defer to the child's own innate curiosity and watch as the child naturally pursues certain activities at a natural pace. This is very important for allowing each child to develop their own distinct capacities at their own pace.
When you start buying (or making) Montessori toys for your child, consider that the toys ought to be in range of the child. The child must be able to choose when and how they play with their materials, so store the toys within reach. Keep them on shelves or in toy boxes that the child always has access to. This way, each time the little one is inspired to learn, they'll be able to get to work without having to ask anyone to help them.
Whether or not you're able to send your child to Montessori school, you can still take advantage of the wisdom of the Montessori educational approach. Supply your youngsters with the correct materials and gently direct them into their own process of discovery. The benefits are striking--content, balanced youngsters who make fantastic additions to the world of humanity. The next time you're pondering which toy to get for your child, keep in mind these recommendations from the Montessori tradition and choose with care. Look for a simple, all-natural toy that your child can use to grow and explore, and watch amazing consequences unfold.