Montessori Basics 7: Essentials of a Toddler Classroom
Welcome to the next post in the Montessori Basics series! This one is an overview of basic materials for the toddler classroom. While Maria Montessori put 0-3 year olds in a subgroup of the 0-6 plane of development, most schools have an infant room and a toddler room, separating the environments. Children usually move to the toddler room from 18 months on up, once they are walking steadily.
The Montessori toddler classroom will be made up mostly of Practical Life materials, with many “pre-Montessori” materials that are typically used with this age group even in non-Montessori settings (puzzles, stringing beads, etc.) Cultural lessons are generally included in the language part of the classroom; this would include learning about weather, the calendar, and basic names of objects in the classroom and in nature.
As you read this list, you may be thinking, “But Lori, how do I use all these materials? And where can I find them?” Please look at the end of the list, where I show resources for finding toddler albums, lessons, and materials. I’m including every toddler resource that I know about, including some great blog posts; if you know of others, please email me.
General Equipment:
1. Long, low shelves
2. Small table and chairs
3. Table mats (placemats) and small rugs
4. Plants, artwork, and a pet to care for
5. Age-appropriate books, musical instruments, and art supplies
Practical Life:
1. Control of Movement
a. Pouring, Scooping, & Spooning work
b. Transferring work (both for whole hand and fingers)
c. Sorting (colors, shapes, sizes)
d. Stringing Beads & Lacing Cards
2. Care of Person
a. Dressing Frames
b. Folding (napkin, washcloth)
c. Scrubbing and Washing
3. Care of Environment
a. Sweeping and Mopping
b. Polishing
c. Dusting
Sensorial:
1. Pink Tower
2. Small Cylinder Block Set
3. Color Tablets Box 1
Language:
1. Wooden Puzzles of all kinds
2. Matching Work (picture/picture, object/picture, etc)
3. Picture Sequencing
4. Sandpaper Letters
5. Classification Materials
Math:
1. Sandpaper Numbers
2. Stacking and Nesting Cubes
3. Number blocks and puzzles
4. Sorting and Counting Materials
Toddler Resources:
Montessori Research & Development: Toddler Albums
Montessori for the Earth Online Toddler Program
Montessori Services (Practical Life Materials)
Little Red Robin (a wide assortment of infant and toddler Montessori materials)
Helpful Blog Posts:
Sweetness & Light Blog: Toddler Carnival
Three Plus Two Blog: Toddler Environment
Three Plus Two Blog: More About Toddlers
Montessori for Everyone Blog: Toddler Language
This is so timely as my two year old is so ready for ALL things Montessori!! Thank you so much!
Awesome! Glad to help. Hope everything goes well.
I didn’t thank you for linking me with this great post, I appreiate it! A question about what you would recommend for “Picture sequencing” referred in the Language section for my 2 yo?? Also what very simple classification materials would you suggest? This is an area I’m a little stumped on for him. Thanks so much!!
I would recommend buying a pre-made set of sequence cards, although they can be made (takes a little work, you’d probably have to use clipart or cut apart storybooks). Here’s a set of 3-scene; they also have 4 scene for a harder challenge:
Sequence Cards
Whoops, I forgot to mention classification. I would use just the pictures from a common Montessori classification work (parts of a flower, for instance) and just verbally name each part.
Very helpful Lori, thanks for the link as well!!
Lori, thanks for the link! This post is very helpful to me as well
Thanks for a great post Lori – its often hard to find good info on Montessori for littlies! I really struggle to get my 14 month old to concentrate on any one thing without my involvement – any ideas of where I could look for ideas? Love your blog!
It’s really hard for them to concentrate for long at that age. I think 18 months is about when kids can start really doing some easy stuff on their own. I would keep doing what you’re doing, and the concentration span will grow.
For work ideas, check out this other post in my toddler section:
Toddler Language Development is Everywhere
Thanks for this great info.
What are toddler albums?
Hi, Este! In Montessori-speak, “albums” mean instruction manuals with information on Montessori materials and presentations. You can find toddler albums (and other ages) here.
Are these used by the child? Or by the parent / teacher for the child?
Also, where can I view some pages of an album – to get a better idea?
They are for the adult, to use as a reference when teaching. Please contact the company I linked to or another (you can Google phrases like “montessori toddler albums”) and see if they can send/email you a sample.