Montessori for toddlers 1-3 — where do I actually start (without spending a fortune)?

[Katya303]

I'm reading about the Montessori approach for toddlers 1-3, but I'm a bit lost — where should I start without unnecessary expenses? What actually works in practice, and what's just a pretty picture on Instagram?

The Montessori toddler by Simone Davies is a good place to start. There’s lots of ideas on Instagram. However, the best thing to do is watch your child. What do they like, what can they do? Then you plan work activities to build on their skill.

For example. Children transfer and transport things. Around 18-22 months I introduce silicon tongs with objects the size of a small rubber duck. This works the palmar grasp. Once the child can transfer using them, I put out a smaller silver pair of sugar tongs with smaller objects to use. This prepares the hand for scissors - children aren’t usually ready for scissors until age 3+. But they’ve spent time flexing the hand in the same manner used for scissors, by using tongs. This is called refining the senses.

Theres an awful lot more to Montessori than just some pretty shelves or expensive toys delivered every three months (lovevery resources are awesome but i look on vinted rather than buy new). Trained Montessori practitioners think about the whole child’s development and do the same process for everything.

Red door Montessori used to run parenting classes online, but not sure about now.

Hope that helps (I’m a Montessori trained childminder)

What do you think about furniture inspired by Montessori?