The Montessori method is one of the established methods of studying that is focused on the idea of independence, practical learning and respect for the natural development of the child. 

A very important aspect of this approach is Montessori activities, i.e., well-thought-out tasks that propose something to a child at their level of development.

Being a parent or an early years teacher, you can appreciate the Montessori activities a lot and contribute to the appropriate formation of a child. Overall, questions of age-appropriate activities, the kind of Montessori tasks, and important materials will be discussed in this guide.

What Are Montessori Activities?

Montessori activities are sequential and goal-oriented exercises that aid physical, emotional, cognitive and social growth of a child. These activities are connected with the Montessori philosophy, which is founded on practical skills and exploratory use of senses over abstract teaching.

These are the advantages of the Montessori activities:

• Teach self-confidence  

• Improve motor skills

• Boost attention and concentration
• Develop a discovery-based learning
• Flexible to personal rate of development

Montessori activities are individualised to the Montessori age of the child, and thus they fit well with early years education.

Montessori Activity by Age

It stands to reason that the various stages in childhood demand varying forms of involvement. This is how a set of Montessori activities can be broken down on the basis of age:

Activities for 0-1 Year Olds

This is the stage where the activities aimed at promoting sensory development and motor coordination must be done.

Examples:

• Tactile mobiles: Suspended mobile objects would stimulate focus visual attention on objects that are either of high contrast or black and white colour.
• Soft basket: Attracts babies to feel various materials and hold soft materials.
• Mirror floor time: Makes babies familiar with movements and self-identification.

Montessori Activities for 18-Month-Old 

Availability of more activities which will introduce some basic sorting out and language as toddlers become inquisitive.

Examples:

• Two-piece puzzles: Assists in building spatial and fine motor-skills.
• Pouring water between cups: Excellent as eye, hand and concentration training.
• Putting animal pictures against animal figures: Trains language and mental correspondence

Montessori activities for 1 year old

This is the age when actions done to enhance coordination and knowledge of object permanence are well acquired.

Examples of Montessori for one year olds:

• Objects permanence boxes: Babies learn in these that even when objects are hidden they do not stop existing.

• Simple stacking rings: Enhance hand-eye coordinate and to make size sequencing.
• Treasure baskets: Make these baskets containing safe household objects to discover shapes, textures and weights.

NOTE: These also qualify as Montessori activities for 1-2-year-olds as they move and change.

Montessori Activities for 3-5 Year Olds

Preschoolers and older toddlers are desiring structured learning (marching to early literacy, math and life skills).

Examples:

• Practical life activities: Sweeping, dressing frames (Zipping, buttoning).
• Pre-writing exercises: Sandpaper letters, and tracing trays.
• Organising: Organisation can be done by objects of different shapes, colours, and sizes.

These are some interesting Montessori activities for 3-5-year-olds; these activities can prepare children towards the academic world, but still concentrate on exploration with their hands.

Montessori Activities List 

The Montessori activities are classified into various categories with a certain learning goal. This is the Montessori activities list for different age groups:

Practical Life Activities

These activities reflect real life and enable independence.

Examples:

• Pouring grains or water using one container into another

• Zipping and Buttoning Frames
• Washing of items such as table wiping or shining shoes

Objective: To build coordination, independence and concentration.

Sensorial Activities

These help children sharpen their senses.

Examples:

• Texture matching: Rough and smooth surfaces

• Sound cylinders: Identical matching of sounds
• Colored Balls: learn the primary and secondary colours

Objective: Train judgment of the senses and classification.

Language Activities

Speaking and pre-reading support vocabulary.

Examples:

• Animal cards, fruit cards etc.
• Object to word correspondence

• Sandpaper letters to trace the shape of letters

Objective: Establish the initial literacy and language concepts.

Math Activities

Present simple mathematics.

Examples:

• Making bead count
• Number rods
• Sandpaper numbers

Objective: Form number sense, counting and early arithmetic.

Cultural Activities

These bring in geography, science and nature.

Examples:

• Geography riddles

• Leaves, stone and shell nature trays
• Small world to present continents

Objective: To enhance world curiosity and knowledge about the world.

Essential Montessori Materials List

In order to be able to carry out Montessori activities, you will require the right materials. The following is a classification of the Montessori materials list, and some suggestions on how to make your own Montessori materials list with photos.

Practical Life Materials

• Pouring jugs and bowls
• dressing frames (buttons, zippers, laces)
• Little sweepers and dustpans

Sensorial Materials

• Texture boards

• Sound boxes
• Tablets in color

Language Materials

• Sandpaper letters
• Image and labelled flashcards
• Storytelling props with baskets

Math Materials

• Counting beads
• Number rods and cards
• Spindle boxes

Cultural Materials

• Continent puzzle maps
• Life-cycle figurines (frog, butterfly, etc)
• Natural objects trays

So, this Montessori equipment list is the crucial one when creating the children’s learning environment in early childhood.

Montessori material list with pictures:

[Add a picture of the Montessori materials list here]

Quick Recap of Montessori Activities: by Age and Type

Conclusion

The activities of Montessori give a full, healthy beginning to childhood development. However, keep in mind that all of these activities are founded on a belief of trusting the child in his natural learning process.

In case you are interested in further study in these educational approaches, you can find the Montessori Education Teaching Program that offers the study to early years educators.

There is also a possibility to get a professional training program on how to employ Montessori methods in any early childhood organisation, which you can get at the Ali Institute of Education. Learn to be a Montessorian to raise independent, curious and capable young learners!