Setting up a Montessori Infant Shelf at Home
To set up a simple Montessori infant shelf at home, all you need are a few baskets or containers, and some objects from around the house.
For an infant aged 0-9 months you may choose to include:
- Mobiles
- Rattles
- Sensory board
- Shapes
- Treasure baskets
- Sound bottles
- Smelling bottles
- Primary colours
- Simple shapes
- Self feeding activities
Don’t forget the importance of tummy time, floor play, mirror play, and opportunities for reaching and grasping.
For infants aged 9-15 months you may choose to add:
- Imbucare or ‘posting’ boxes
- Knobbed puzzles that are easy to pick up using the palmar grasp
- Simple shapes: Circle, Triangle, Square
- Language cards
- Matching pot and lid activities
- Open and close activities
- Colour sorting
- Stacking blocks
- Nesting cups
- Introductory counting activities
- Self feeding and self care activities
For infants aged 15-24 months you may choose to add more complex resources such as:
- Further language cards
- Matching activities
- Counting activities
- Velcro activities
- Zipper activities
- More complex open and close activities
- More complex colour sorting
- Dressing and self care
Take your cues from your child’s interests and don’t forget to look at the infant resources section for additional activities.
Downloadable Infant Resource Pack
- High Contrast Cards
- Colour Cards
- Colour Matching Cards
- Shape Cards
- Animal Language Cards
- Animal Matching Cards
Musical Basket
Source any items around your home, such as a tambourine, xylophone, and maracas to create a music basket. Infant’s love to explore objects that make different sounds!
Teething Basket
Collect any items from around the house that your child uses to assist with teething. Don’t forget to sanitise regularly and to only use infant-safe objects.
Imbucare or Posting Box
Create your own Imbucare Box using found objects to explore the concept of object permanence with your toddler. Extend on the activity by adding counting and sorting.
