You know you want to start practicing Montessori at home with your little one, but there’s just one little problem…
Where exactly do you start?
How do you prepare a Montessori-inspired environment for your toddler? What activities and toys/materials should you introduce to your child from 12-15 months? And how can you support your little one’s development the Montessori way?
Well, this little guide will help walk you through everything you need to know to get started with Montessori at home with your 12-15 month old. Keep reading to learn more!
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5 Simple Montessori Parenting Guidelines to Keep in Mind
1 | Be respectful
Treat your child like a person, not an object. Speak and act respectfully toward your child. When you have to do something that affects your little one – like picking them up for a diaper change – let them know what you’re doing first. Respect is key.
2 | Slow down
Little ones thrive when they’re given time to slow down and just be. So, give your child the opportunity to get lost in an experience or activity without having to rush onto the next thing. Embrace a slower and simpler lifestyle.
3 | Follow the child
Encourage your child to guide their own exploration. Follow your child’s lead. Trust your little one to do their job – exploring, learning, and growing – in their own time, in their own way.
4 | Be a guide
Think of yourself as your child’s guide – not their boss or servant. Work with your child to help them solve problems and achieve their goals, rather than simply telling them what to do (or doing everything for them).
5 | Involve your child in daily life
Daily life offers so many meaningful opportunities for you to bond with your child and help them learn a variety of practical, everyday skills. So, find ways to include your child in practical life activities – from working on drinking from a cup to wiping up a milk spill or even helping out in the kitchen.
Preparing a Montessori Environment at Home | 12-15 Months
You know that the prepared environment is a HUGE part of Montessori. But, um, what exactly does that mean? Basically, it’s important to make your home as accessible and practical for your child as possible.
That might mean using child-sized furniture, placing everyday items on your child’s level, or organizing your child’s belongings in a way that makes sense for them. From 12-15 months, these are some of the most important Montessori touches you can add to your home…
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Floor bed
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Weaning table & chair
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Montessori shelf & materials
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Self-care station
Floor Bed
A floor bed is a low, “big kid” bed that replaces your child’s crib. Because floor beds allow children to get in and out of bed on their own, a floor bed can help promote accessibility, independence, and freedom of movement. You can invest in a wooden floor bed frame (like one of the ones below) or simply place a mattress on the floor for the same effect.
Want to check out more of the best Montessori floor beds for toddlers?
Weaning Table & Chair
A weaning table is simply a small, child-sized table where young children can sit during meals, rather than being confined to a highchair. Basically, weaning tables allow children to be more independent and engaged at the dinner table. This simple change can help pave the way to make mealtimes more positive and relaxing for the whole family! You can find a variety of weaning table and chair sets on Etsy or Sprout Kids.
Montessori Shelf & Materials
A Montessori shelf is basically a simple, low shelf that’s easy for young children to access. A limited number of interesting, age-appropriate materials are stored and organized on the shelf so that children can easily see and use their toys without having to dig through an overflowing toybox. Here are some examples…
Self-Care Station
As your little one grows, they’ll begin showing more interest in self-care tasks, like washing their hands, wiping their face, and brushing their hair. You can support your child’s growing independence by setting up a simple self-help area using a low shelf or table equipped with self-care supplies – think tissues, baby wipes, a mirror, hairbrush, or anything else your child might need on an everyday basis.
Montessori Activity Ideas | 12-15 Months
Your 12-15 month old is growing and changing like crazy. During this stage of development, there are all kinds of exciting milestones to look forward to. Your little one may begin to move around more independently, learn a handful of new words, and show interest in all kinds of things from butterflies to block towers. It’s exciting!
At home, you can help support your child’s development by trying out a variety of age-appropriate activities – like the ones listed below – with your little one.
As per usual, remember to follow your child’s lead. Every child has different interests and develops on their own schedule. So, don’t stress if your child isn’t showing interest in one activity or another right now. Just focus on trying new things and having fun!
Here are some fun, Montessori-inspired activity ideas to try out at home with your 12-15 month old…
1 | Making Music
Shakers, toddler-friendly musical instruments, and even old fashioned pots and pans are tons of fun for little ones to explore! Try offering your child a variety of instruments that make different types of sounds to really pique their interest.
2 | Finger Painting
This classic activity engages your little one’s senses – a must with babies and toddlers – and can help you start introducing art activities at home in a fun, low-key way. You can invest in some non-toxic finger paints for your little one, or try experimenting with a few different DIY edible finger paint recipes at home.
3 | Dancing with Scarves
This is one of the best (and easiest) movement activities for little ones. Simply grab a few play scarves, put on some music, and get moving! Whether your baby is walking yet or not, they can benefit from simple gross motor activities like this one.
4 | Water Play
Water play is super fun for little ones and developmentally beneficial to boot. Simply fill a low water table, clear storage bin, or bowl with water. Then, add a few tools, like measuring cups, sponges, or whisks, for your child to explore. Toys and other household objects can be a fun addition to water play, too – think washing a baby doll, scooping ping pong balls, or rinsing real fruits and veggies. The possibilities are endless!
5 | Treasure Baskets
I probably don’t need to tell you this, but little ones are fascinated by everyday objects. You can give your child the opportunity to explore a variety of interesting, everyday items by creating a treasure basket. Simply fill a basket with real-life objects – like large seashells, hair curlers, or a metal whisk – and encourage your toddler to explore. You can learn more about creating a treasure basket your little one will love here!
6 | Opening & Closing
Your 12-15 month old might also enjoy practicing opening and closing jars, coin purses, and other types of containers. Simply gather a few containers for your little one to work with and let them explore! (Hint: You may need to show your child how to open each type of container and/or “pre-twist” jar lids to help your child be successful. As per usual, be mindful of choking hazards and always supervise your child to prevent choking or other accidents.)
7 | Scooping
Scooping is another simple fine motor activity with plenty of room for variety. Scooping rice or pasta (with supervision)? Yup. Scooping ping pong balls from a bowl of water? Love it. Or even just scooping and pouring plain old water? Also fun! In addition to building hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, scooping activities also help children develop focus and concentration.
8 | Reading
Reading with your little one is one of the best things you can do for their language development. So, aim to read together for at least 20 minutes per day, whether you make it a morning tradition, a pre-nap ritual, a few stories before bed, or all of the above!
9 | Stacking Toys
Stacking toys offer little ones a fun challenge. Additionally, playing with stackers can help your child develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination and allow them to explore early math concepts, like size discrimination. In addition to the huge variety of stacking toys out there, you can also try offering your little one paper cups, nesting bowls, measuring cups, or other household items to explore for an easy, no-prep activity.
10 | Simple Puzzles
Your 12-15 month old may also be ready to start playing with simple wooden puzzles! Puzzles are a great, easy activity that help children build spatial awareness and fine motor skills. For now, look for simple knobbed puzzles that have just a few pieces to help set your little one up for success.
The Best Montessori Toys & Materials | 12-15 Months
So, when you’re shopping for toys for your 12-15 month old, look for toys that check these boxes…
- Simple and classic – no batteries required
- Mix of open-ended toys (like play scarves or blocks) and close-ended toys (like puzzles)
- Made with natural materials, like wood or cloth
- Developmentally appropriate – these toys should help your little one practice relevant skills, like moving around, grasping and releasing objects, and using their senses to explore the world around them
Here are a few of the best toys for babies and toddlers 12-15 months old…
Or check out the awesome toddler play kits from Lovevery…
If you want to take the guesswork out of toy shopping for your little one, this is a great option. These subscription playkits are designed by early learning experts to help you support your child’s development at every stage – and they’re a huge hit with little ones and parents. You can learn more (or get started) here!
Practical Life Ideas | 12-15 Months
Contrary to popular belief, your 1 year old is NOT too young for practical life activities, like self-care, cleaning, or even helping out in the kitchen. Actually, practical life activities are a great way to include children in everyday life while helping them learn a variety of skills, from independence and self-help skills to hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and more!
Here are a few simple practical life activities to try at home with your 12-15 month old…
- Combing or brushing hair
- Brushing teeth
- Wiping face
- Practice using a fork and spoon
- Practice drinking from a cup
- Wiping up a spill with a cloth or sponge
- Watering plants
- Opening and closing jars
- Peeling a banana (with help)
- Practice cutting a banana (or other soft foods) with a spreader
- Tearing herbs or greens
- Whisking eggs
- Begin pouring water from a small pitcher
- Scooping cereal into bowl
- Helping with pet care (scooping kibble, pouring water, etc.)
- Practice sweeping with small broom and dustpan
Want to learn more? Check out this post: How to Introduce Montessori Practical Life to Your Toddler
Getting started with Montessori doesn’t have to be hard…
- Do your best to incorporate Montessori values into your life. Model respect, slow down, follow your child’s lead, be a guide (not a dictator or servant), and involve your little one in daily life.
- Encourage your child’s independence by setting up accessible, toddler-friendly spaces in your home. Consider adding traditional Montessori touches to your home, like a floor bed, weaning table and chair, Montessori style shelf, and a simple self-care station.
- Introduce simple, Montessori-inspired toys and activities at home. Encourage your little one to move around, explore and experiment, get involved in practical life activities, and more!
Until next time,
♥ Meg
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