15 Montessori Activities for your Toddler and Preschooler

To the untrained eye they may look like ‘chores’, but in the world of Montessori style learning they are referred to as practical life activities and your kiddo will love them! More often than not you might find your toddler or preschooler wanting to copy what you are doing in the kitchen and throughout the home, and for good reason! These activities are not only fun, but they are also research-based to support your child’s brain and life skill development. Follow along as we share 15 simple and effective ways to begin incorporating Montessori play activities into your daily routine.

Our Preschool Program Contact Us

Benefits of Montessori Based Play

Before we dive into some ways to incorporate practical life activities into play, let’s discuss some of the benefits that this type of learning gives to your child:

These activities are calming for children
Practical life activities help to refine and develop their motor skills
This type of play teaches toddlers and preschoolers responsibility from an early age
They encourage mastery-based play which helps develop concentration
Your child will feel important when they are able to join in these activities with you

Remember, Montessori-style play is meant to be fun and simple. It may take some time for you and your toddler or preschooler to become accustomed to this way of learning and playing, but it is well worth the effort as you will have a lifelong helper in the home and a contributor in your community.

15 Simple Montessori Activities For Your Home

These activities are great for toddlers and preschoolers, but their ability to follow multiple consecutive steps may differ. Your toddler may only complete one or two steps of the activity and your school-aged child may be able to do more. Remember, there is no right or wrong and it’s all about practicing the skills and having fun!

Putting batteries in a flashlight
Setting the table
Washing the family pet
Sorting cutlery
Carrying objects on a tray
Folding clothes
Stacking activities using coins, boxes, or blocks
Washing fruits and vegetables with a brush
Transferring liquid using a turkey baster
Sewing through precut holes with a large plastic needle
Peel and cut a banana
Threading a nut onto a bolt
Polishing furniture
Pouring and sorting different pantry items
Planting and caring for the garden

These are just a few simple ways to begin incorporating Montessori activities into your toddler’s or preschooler’s day. Your child doesn’t need to sit on the sidelines while you get everything done around the home. Including them in your daily routine fosters connection while they learn and develop skills that will serve them well.

Montessori Preschool Programs for Lifelong Learning

The Montessori educational approach teaches your child to direct their own learning. Instead of the teacher telling children what to do, and expecting them to complete it by the end of the day, a Montessori preschool program encourages students to make their own choices in the classroom, with a teacher to guide them along the way. Research shows that this type of learning helps to create a calm learning environment with an emphasis on personal responsibility.

Grey Matter Montessori offers the best preschool program for children ages 3-6 in Calgary, Alberta. Call 587-707-4739 or fill out the form below for more information or to book a tour of the school.

FAQs

Q. What does Montessori Preschool day look like?

A Montessori preschool program is one the best ways to give your child a jump start into a lifelong love of learning. A typical day in a Montessori preschool involves child-focused learning with the guidance of a teacher. Children are encouraged to take care of their belongings by tidying and organizing them and they will learn to make their own snacks. Specific concepts are facilitated by encouraging your child to follow what is calling to them and capturing their attention.

Q. What is the purpose of practical life activities?

Practical life activities encourage your toddler or preschooler to learn concentration, motor skill development, social responsibility, and coordination through play-based activities that teach care for themselves and their environment.

Q. Is Montessori School Right For My Child?

A common saying is ‘Montessori is right for every child, but not every family is right for Montessori’. Montessori education is a flexible, adaptable style of teaching and learning that is beneficial for all children. The caveat is that there are certain foundations and principles that guide a Montessori approach to learning that must be incorporated into other aspects of the child’s life by their caregivers. Principles such as: