How to choose the perfect Montessori toy for every age group

Montessori pedagogy is more than just a method of education; it is a philosophy that teaches us to see the world through the eyes of our children. At Montessori Learnworld, we believe that every child carries a unique potential within them. Our task as parents is to create an environment that gently unfolds this potential. And this is exactly where the right toy comes into play.

Unlike loud plastic toys that often quickly end up in the corner, Montessori toys are intentionally simple, natural, and perfectly tailored to the child's developmental phase. It's not about entertaining the child, but empowering them to discover their own abilities – in line with the motto: "Help me do it myself."

We at Montessori Learnworld want to accompany you on this wonderful journey. In this guide, we show you which treasures from our collection fit the needs of your child at every age.

 

0 to 6 months: The world of senses awakens

In the first months, the world is a completely new, exciting experience for your baby. It learns to see, hear, and explore with its hands. In this phase, it's not about colorful overstimulation, but about targeted stimuli that gently awaken the senses.

• Characteristics of age & learning focuses: Babies learn to focus their eyes, track objects, and reach for them. Visual and auditory perception is at the forefront. Your baby begins to discover hands as tools.

 

Our recommendations from Montessori Learnworld:

• Montessori mobiles: Our simple mobiles are the perfect first visual experience for your baby. They are designed to stimulate the eyes to focus and promote concentration – all without distraction.
• Wooden grasping toys and teething rings: Feeling, touching, and putting in the mouth – these are the main activities at this age. Our grasping and teething rings made of natural beech wood are not only easy to hold but also safe for the teething phase.

 

💡 A little tip for you: Hang the mobile over the changing table or the bed so that the baby can observe it. Be sure to change it occasionally to create new visual stimuli.

 

6 to 12 months: From grasping to crawling

Now your little explorer is on the move! The interest in manipulating objects and understanding how they work is growing rapidly. Toys that encourage movement and teach the principle of cause and effect are now ideal.

• Characteristics of age & learning focuses: The baby learns to sit, to scoot, or to crawl. It develops the pincer grip (grasping with thumb and index finger) and gradually understands the concept of object permanence.

Our recommendations from Montessori Learnworld:

• Montessori motor skills toy: Our Montessori Baby Motor Skills Toy is perfect for promoting fine motor skills and understanding cause and effect. With various sliders, buttons, and rotating elements, your child learns how their actions provoke a reaction.
• Wooden musical instruments: Our Wooden Musical Instruments Set is ideal for training auditory perception and sense of rhythm. The gentle sounds of the wooden rattles and clappers fascinate your baby and encourage them to experiment.

A little tip for you: Offer your child a "treasure chest" filled with various everyday objects (e.g., wooden spoons, fabric scraps, small whisks) to explore. This stimulates curiosity and promotes tactile perception.

1 year: The first steps towards independence

Congratulations, your child is celebrating their first birthday! Walking begins, along with the unbridled desire to explore the world on their own feet. Now you need toys that support this newfound freedom and the urge for independence.

• Age characteristics & learning focuses: Your child perfects gross motor skills (walking, climbing) and develops strong willpower. They learn to occupy themselves and tackle simple problem-solving tasks.

Our recommendations from Montessori Learnworld:

• Learning tower: The learning tower is a true all-rounder. It allows your child to stand safely at eye level with you at the kitchen counter. Whether washing hands, cooking, or kneading dough – the learning tower makes your child an active part of family life and promotes their independence and self-efficacy.
• Simple Shape Sorters: Our Wood Sorting Boxes are perfect for promoting spatial thinking. The simple shapes motivate your child to place the puzzle pieces independently in their spots.
• Screwboard: The Screwboard Set not only trains fine motor skills but also playfully prepares your child for everyday tasks like dressing and undressing.

💡 A little tip for you: Create a "workspace" for your child at eye level (e.g., a small shelf or table). This way, they can independently decide which toy they want to engage with. 

 

2 years: Language and Creativity

At two years old, language development explodes. Your child learns new words daily and loves to imitate adult life. Toys that promote language, imagination, and early practical skills are just right now.

• Age Characteristics & Learning Focus: Language development is making great strides. Children are fascinated by role-playing and imitating everyday activities. They begin to understand basic rules and master simple sorting tasks.

 

Our recommendations from Montessori Learnworld:

• Funny Dressing Puzzle: With this Dressing Puzzle and Learning Toy your child playfully learns to operate different fasteners. It trains fine motor skills and concentration while the child dresses and undresses the figures.
• Carrot Stacking Game: The Carrot Stacking Game made of wood is ideal for promoting hand-eye coordination. Your child learns how to insert the carrots into the holes, which strengthens patience and problem-solving skills.
• Versatile wooden puzzle: Our Wooden Puzzle for Toddlers promotes spatial perception and fine motor skills. The clear shapes and the natural feel of the wood invite exploration and support cognitive development.

 

💡 Small tip for you: Involve your child in simple household tasks, such as sorting socks or putting away cutlery. This gives them a sense of competence and independence.

 

3 years: Concentration and precision

Now your child can concentrate on a task for a longer period. Fine motor skills become increasingly precise, and curiosity about the world of numbers and letters awakens.

Age characteristics & learning focuses: Attention span increases. Children develop remarkable endurance and joy of learning. They are ready for more abstract concepts and complex motor tasks.

Our recommendations from Montessori Learnworld:

• Busy Board: A Busy Board is a whole world full of discoveries. It offers various locks, zippers, latches, and buttons that playfully train fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Your child learns to master everyday challenges independently.
• Minecraft Magnet Blocks: Our Minecraft Magnet Blocks promote free play. The magnetic pieces stick together, making the building process intuitive and frustration-free. Your child can let their imagination run wild while learning spatial thinking and basic physical principles.

💡 Small tip for you: Observe your child while they play. If they are focused on a task, do not disturb them. These moments of "deep concentration" are particularly valuable in Montessori education.

 

4 years: Logical thinking and creativity

At four years old, your child is ready for more complex challenges. They begin to understand relationships and develop their own strategies for problem-solving.

• Age Characteristics & Learning Focus: Abstract-logical thinking is developing rapidly. Children ask many questions ("Why?"), love experimenting, and are particularly open to new knowledge about the world.

Our recommendations from Montessori Learnworld:

• Wooden Math Toy: Our Wooden Math Toy makes the introduction to the world of numbers playful and tangible. It helps your child understand basic mathematical concepts like counting and simple additions by actively learning with the colored wooden pieces.
• Magnetic 3D Maze: The magnetic 3D maze is perfect for promoting fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and logical thinking. Your child learns to be patient and to plan strategically to guide the balls through the maze.
• Wooden Puzzle World Map: With the Wooden Puzzle World Map for Children your child can discover the world playfully. They learn about the different continents and their wildlife, which sparks curiosity about geography and foreign cultures.

💡 A little tip for you: Encourage your child to invent their own stories. Write down the stories or let them draw pictures for them.

5 years: Preparation for school

Now, school time is getting closer. Your child is solidifying their knowledge and skills. The toy should now specifically prepare them for reading, writing, and arithmetic – but always in a playful and child-friendly way.

• Age characteristics & learning focuses: School readiness comes into focus. Children develop a strong interest in rules, structured learning, and understanding time and quantities.

Our recommendations from Montessori Learnworld:

• Mathematics Learning Toy: Our Mathematical Learning Toy makes the introduction to the world of numbers playful and tangible. With this colorful wooden toy, your child can easily understand basic mathematical concepts such as counting, adding, and subtracting.
• Wooden Busy House: The Montessori Wooden Busy House is more than just a toy; it is a world full of challenges. At this age, it can help further perfect your child's fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities by operating various locks, latches, and closures.

💡 A little tip for you: Create a dedicated reading space with books that your child can choose themselves. Regular reading strengthens the bond and promotes language and reading skills.

 

Conclusion

At Montessori Learnworld, the well-being of your child is close to our hearts. We want to help you create an environment that does not overwhelm but lovingly encourages. Each of our toys is an investment in your child's future – in their independence, knowledge, and creativity. We wish you and your family much joy in discovering and playing!