Wednesday, March 13, 2013

5 Days of Teaching Creatively: Toys, Games and Puzzles-The Montessori Toddler Corner


We are up to day three of our 5 Days of Teaching Creatively blog hop!  Today's topic is Toys, Games, and Puzzles.  I thought it would be a great day to showcase our Montessori Toddler Corner!

Since Explorer is in our classroom a bit more, I decided I needed to be sure she has some things to keep her busy.  But, honestly, this isn't just for 'school time' this is her toy corner and these are the only toys out on a regular basis (extra toys are kept elsewhere).  I tried to choose toys that would help develop a certain skill in addition to being fun. I also tried to limit the amount of items to a very manageable amount for a young child. Here's a closer look at what's on the shelves.


In the basket on the top shelf we have a Leap Frog Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal Set.  This *is* a little loud and annoying, but she really enjoys it and the object of matching animals is a good one!


Hape Counting Stacker.  She really enjoys the challenge of placing the beads on the sticks.


Melissa and Doug doorbell house.  She can't unlock the doors yet, but likes the doorbells!  Mini Cooper often comes to help her unlock the doors.  Great group toy! 



These are probably two of our favorites!  Pat the Bunny book and our Jack-in-the Box.  Pat the Bunny is full of great activities such as peek-a-boo and smelling flowers.  Jack-in-the-Box is great for pincher-grabber control, and patience!


This vintage Sesame Street toy requires her to figure out the different 'locks' to make the characters pop up.  Very fun!


Melissa and Doug peg hammer set.  I love that the pegs do not come out!!  They can't be lost or put in the mouth!


Our two pull toys.  A vintage turtle and the Eric Carle caterpillar.  She enjoys both of them.


This soft block has a challenge of putting a cylinder into the opening.  Seems easy for us, but it is very challenging for Explorer. 



Montessori Mini-Knobbed Cylinders are a great addition to the toddler shelves-as long as your child isn't one to put things in her mouth.  Thankfully, Explorer is not.



Our little child sized recliner (thank you Grandpa!) is a great place to count with Lily-she counts in English and Spanish.  


Or, to cuddle up with a book from our book basked.  It's overflowing I know.  It's always hard to keep them at a minimum :).


And, next to the shelves is our little horse riding toy that she really likes!  

I hope that you enjoyed the peak into our toddler shelves.  I'd love to know what toys you use with your toddlers!  

Be sure to stop by the other crew blogs and see how they use toys, games, and puzzles in their home learning.  Click below or stop by the crew blog.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless!
Lisa

We are also linking this up to:




Montessori Monday

5 comments:

Michele Chronister said...

I love this, because you include Montessori toys AND some of the typical "plastic toys" we all have. It's nice seeing that someone else out there is comfortable combining the two in a tot corner! Very helpful post!

Fiona said...

There is a peg hammer set that the pegs dont come out of! I'll be buying that for sure right now. With 30 month old twin boys our current set is not safe since their 5 year old brother showed them how to take the pegs out! This will certainly save my sainty.

Unknown said...

Nice! I really wish that I had discovered Montessori when my children were toddlers.

Thank you for sharing.

Deb Chitwood said...

Your toddler corner looks so inviting! Thanks so much for linking up with Montessori Monday. I featured your post at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page and pinned it to my Montessori-Friendly Home Board at http://pinterest.com/debchitwood/montessori-friendly-home/

Audra Silva said...

What a fun corner for little ones! I need to do something like this, but for older kids. :)