What makes a toy Montessori?
Montessori materials (or passive toys) are hands-on learning tools that will usually target one skill, e.g., slotting a coin through a small hole into a box, which through repetition allows your little one to master this one skill.
Non-Montessori toys (or active toys), usually target multiple skills at once. e.g., one part for sound, another part for pushing a button, another part for twisting, another part for opening/closing, another part for a moving object etc.
Dr. Montessori advocated “real” toys made of natural materials, mainly because they’re healthy, promote inspiration in children & are generally safer. But also because they are more durable, more beautiful & lovely to touch. These toys are called ‘open-ended’ or ‘passive’ materials.
“Nothing goes into the mind that does not first go through the hands.”– Dr. Montessori
Passive toy = active learner ↔ Active toy = passive learner.
In Montessori, we prefer passive toys, which is the main characteristic of Montessori materials & means that the toys are not battery-operated & allow the child to be an active learner.
Passive toys are materials that do nothing unless the child initiates play, i.e., the child must use the toy & manipulate the material for it to work.
Montessori activities give babies & toddlers a great deal of satisfaction from mastery, allow for repetition of the activity & meet so many of your little one’s developmental needs.
Conversely, active toys are not Montessori aligned, they are those mainly battery operated & without any sense of completion, in which they encourage the child to be passive & to rely on the toy to entertain the child. These toys tend to restrict & direct how little ones play with them & can be overwhelming & overstimulating.
A simple, beautiful, well-crafted wooden toy can inspire your little ones’ interest without overwhelming them, & spark their imagination without directing it.
Passive toys don’t move, sing, clap or dance, they don’t have flashing lights, screens or vivid colours. They can help your little one develop;
➡ creativity,
➡ curiosity,
➡ concentration,
➡ motor skills,
➡ problem-solving skills,
➡ teach object permanence,
➡ inspire independent learning,
➡ teach cause & effect,
➡ don’t overstimulate,
➡ and much more!
“Children learn naturally through activity and their characters develop through freedom” – Dr. Maria Montessori
To take a deeper dive in to the topic of what is Montessori, check out our article
What is Montessori where we take a closer look at sensitive periods, prepared environment, Montessori materials and curriculum.
To see more about Montessori for babies and toddlers in the 0-3 age period, click here