Setting up a Montessori Toddler Shelf at Home

To set up a simple Montessori toddler shelf at home, all you need are a few baskets or containers, the supplied resources, and some objects from around the house.

For toddlers aged 2 – 3 you may choose to include:

  • Rolling a rug or fabric napkin
  • Spooning activities
  • Pouring activities
  • Pegging
  • Sorting activities
  • Threading
  • Velcro, zipper, snap and buttoning activities
  • Juicing activities
  • Chopping a banana
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Pink Tower puzzle
  • Binomial Cube Puzzle
  • Language Cards
  • Alphabet Cards
  • Number Cards
  • Matching Games
  • Memory Games
  • Colour Box Two resource
  • Shapes resource

Take your cues from your child’s interests and don’t forget to look at the toddler resources section for additional activities.

Toddler Resource Pack

  1. Colour Cards & Colour Box 2
  2. Pink Tower & Brown Stairs
  3. Red Rods & Binomial Puzzle
  4. Russian Nesting Dolls
  5. Numbers & Alphabet Cards
  6. Language Cards
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Russian Matryoshka or Nesting Dolls

Use the supplied Russian Matryoshka Nesting Doll printable to create a simple seriation and language activity at home.

Colour Matching

Use the supplied resources for Colour Box Two to practice colour identification and colour matching with your child. Colour Box Two introduces children to an extended range of colours.

Binomial Puzzle

Create your own Binomial Puzzle at home using the supplied resources. This is a matching activity that also prepares children for mathematics.

Matching Cards

Use the supplied matching cards to create a matching activity for your toddler. Remember to define the work space with a rug, fabric napkin, or a towel.

Language Cards

Use the supplied two part cards to assist your toddler with matching and language development.

Whole Hand Transfer

Whole hand transfer is a great activity for children aged 18 months – 3 years to develop their fine motor skills and coordination. All you need is an old tea caddy and pom poms.
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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.

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Pink Tower Puzzle

Use the supplied Pink Tower Puzzle resource to assist with refining your child’s visual sense by discriminating differences in size.

Counting with Russian Matryoshka Dolls

Practice counting with the supplied Russian Matryoshka Dolls printable and lesson instructions.

Open and Close

Create your own opening and closing activities from containers and bags found at home.
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Counting Grid

Use the supplied counting grid to assist your child with identifying and quantifying numerals. This is also a great activity to practice counting!

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Scooping, Spooning and Pouring

Create your own scooping, spooning and pouring activities at home by using found objects in your kitchen drawers.

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Additional Toddler Resources

Hands-on learning opportunities that explore the five areas of the Montessori Curriculum.

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