At every age, specific processes take place in a child. For example, there are the senses (hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling and tasting) that are discovered. A baby starts crawling, sitting, standing and walking, and in this way a child develops the ability to move. This is called motor skills. In addition, learning to work together is important as a child grows up. For this, you need social skills, and it is important to learn to recognize and understand your emotions. Playing is the best and most fun way to learn and grow. With the right toys, you can help a child on his or her way.
Gross and fine motor skills
Gross motor skills mean crawling, sitting, standing and walking. Fine motor skills involve smaller movements and hand motor skills. A child develops this through writing, drawing and crafting. Quite a bit of concentration is required here.
Social and emotional development
You promote this especially by pretending. We all know this from children (playing doctor, a doll house, a toy tableware... etc.). Reading aloud, playing together and playing games is of course good for social and emotional development.
Finding the right toys for every child
A child who is growing up has different needs all the time. In order to continue to challenge the child, it is therefore important to offer toys that are appropriate for the age and developmental stage of the child. If the challenge is too big, it is frustrating and discouraging, and if it is too easy, it quickly becomes too boring. Montessori Toys has the right toys for every child, but choosing can sometimes be quite difficult. To help you with this, we have divided our toys into different categories. This way you can refine your search and find what you are looking for more quickly.
The range at Montessori Toys
On our website you will find an extensive overview with clear images of all our toys. We have made a division by age and by category.
The range is divided into ages: • Toys for babies 👶 (0 years)
• Toys for children aged 1 year
• Toys for children aged 2 and 3
• Toys for children aged 4 and 5
• Toys for children aged 6 and 7
• Toys for children aged 8 and over
The range is divided into the following categories:
• Construction toys
• Fine motor skills toys
• Reading and writing
• Arithmetic and counting
• Social toys (playing together)
• Sensory toys
At the bottom of each article on the website you will see which characteristics are encouraged with this toy and what age it is suitable for.
Every child is unique
Children all develop differently. Sometimes they are ahead of other children and sometimes they are not. It is therefore important to observe and listen to the child. That is the best way to find out what your child likes or needs. Playing should of course be fun. Learning through play and discovering for yourself works best. Montessori Toys wants to encourage that self-exploration and discovery.
Toys for the little ones
For babies, it is all about experiencing the senses. In addition, babies develop motor skills when they learn to sit, stand and walk and when they want to grab something. Babies tend to put everything in their mouths, so not all toys are suitable or safe. At Montessori Toys, the baby toys are without batteries and without toxic varnishes and paints. There are also no small parts that can come loose, such as beads, which a baby could choke on. The best toys for babies are grab rings and rattles, with sounds. The sensation of touch is also nice for a baby. Soft materials are suitable, such as baby plush.
Toys for toddlers and preschoolers
Toddlers and preschoolers no longer just crawl on the floor, but now also walk and explore everything. They are going to discover the world and want to know how everything fits together. Toys must respond to this new dynamic. Certain toys are appropriate for these ages, such as wooden walkers, wooden animal puzzles and shape and stacking games for fine motor skills or games that you can play together, games to learn to count, drums and much more. With games that stimulate "pretend", you encourage the child to use his or her own imagination. Playing father and mother, playing doctor... and so on. A children's dinner set, a doll's house, a kitchen or a doctor's bag are good toys.
Toys for ages 6 and up
Now come the more challenging puzzles and games to help with learning math. Children of this age can also concentrate a bit longer. Fine motor skills are better developed now. The swing tower in cheerful colors or the domino game with 560 pieces require dexterity and concentration. Playing bowling together is good to learn that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Children also discover their own talents more. Creativity, musicality or just a builder or nice crafting. A beautiful creative puzzle with geometric shapes is the octagon puzzle with many possibilities. For musical children there are musical instruments to introduce them to the world of music.