All Montessori daycare activities are intended to be educational in one way or another, but only authentic Montessori activities provide the full spectrum of interactive learning that is at the foundation of the Montessori Method. Montessori toys are different from ordinary playthings, with crucial characteristics that encourage learning and independent activity.
Engaging Activities
Authentic Montessori toys present small children with activities that engage their senses with a self-correcting aspect that allows children to know whether they have completed the task properly. This helps children develop self-confidence, and the appealing aspect of the activity means that children genuinely enjoy the work and learning.
Durable and Appealing
Montessori activities have a reputation for being solidly made, typically made from wood and other highly durable materials. The wood offers a comforting, natural feel, and it can be used by countless children for many years without breaking or wearing out. Each toy is designed to keep kids interested and involved as they interact with it. Because the activities are fun to use, children approach early education eagerly, investigating and experimenting from one well-prepared workstation to another.
Avoid Sensory Overload
A lot of so-called educational toys are different in major ways. They engage children with a multitude of beeps and whistles, flashing lights, and loud music that is more of a distraction than a learning tool. In comparison, Montessori toys confine the sensory input to the activity itself so that children can focus on what they are doing. The result is more than just learning how the activity works, it also helps kids learn about cause and effect by providing concrete results from individual actions.
Mastering Processes
Children can revisit Montessori activities again and again. From learning practical tasks to learning basic math concepts Montessori activities encourage using developmental skills like grasping, counting, or making decisions. Each time a child masters a new concept, it gives them the intrinsic motivation to try another one. Some activities can be used in several different ways, and that helps children develop under familiar conditions and with items they have already become fond of.
When it comes to effective self-teaching activities, Montessori toys stand apart. To say that Montessori activities are “better” is the wrong way to describe them. Montessori activities are carefully designed for specific developmental goals. Ordinary toys are primarily designed to keep children occupied without any particular emphasis on helping them learn in the process. Both types serve their intended purpose, but Montessori’s goal is to help children develop, while ordinary toys are only meant to entertain.