Montessori Toys For 2 Year Olds

Qualities of Montessori Toys

Montessori toys are distinct from regular toys. They are purposeful and developmentally appropriate.

• Montessori toys are made from natural materials as much as possible. This includes wood, metal, non-synthetic cloth, paper, etc.
• Montessori toys are focused on teaching one skill or achieving one milestone at a time like fine motor development, language, or movement.
• Montessori toys teach practical life skills like dressing up, cleaning, chopping, etc.
• Montessori toys are realistic. They are life-like and provide opportunities to learn about the real world.
• Montessori toys are interactive. They should require manipulation and active participation.
• Montessori toys do not have unnecessary loud music, noises, lights, too many colors, and complicated patterns. A Montessori toy should be passive while the child is active in using it, not the other way around. Toys with distracting colors, music, lights, and patterns make children passive participants that will not help them develop.

Developmental Stage of 2 Year Olds and Age Appropriate Toys

Let’s discuss the developmental milestones of 2-year-old toddlers and the appropriate toys that will help them develop and flourish.

Language and Communication Milestones

Two-year-olds can say 2 to 4-word sentences. They become more vocal about what they want. They can identify simple objects and point to them when named.

They know familiar body parts and recognize family members. They love to repeat words they hear often. Two-year-olds can follow simple instructions. They love to play and be active all day.

We recommend Montessori toys that will help them speak in complete sentences and expand their vocabulary and comprehension.

• Wooden Moveable Alphabets
• Simple Alphabet Coloring Pages
• Letter Sounds Matching Game
• Flashcards on Animals and Sounds
• Verb Pictures and Shapes

Social and Emotional Milestones

By the time toddlers turn two, they like to copy adults and love to be around other children. They are more independent, sometimes even defiant.

Use toys and games that will create opportunities to engage in conversations and learn positive social behavior that will provide a sense of belonging and collaboration with others.

• Child Standing Towers
• Wooden Play Food and Slicing Set
• Dressing Boards
• Puppets
• Books
• Dollhouse sets
• Peg dolls

Brain Development Milestones

The first two years of brain development are very important. Young children absorb new information like a sponge and they don’t run out of energy. Two-year-olds start to recognize colors and shapes and sort them. They can find hidden things under multiple layers.

They can complete simple sentences in books and stories they are familiar with. They love to play pretend, can build with four or more towers, and can follow two-step instructions. They start to develop a dominant hand and are always using them.

• Wooden Rainbow Blocks
• Matching Cards
• Story Books
• Sorting Pegs
• Simple Big Wooden Puzzles
• Wooden Building Blocks

Movement and Physical Development Milestones

Two-year-olds start to run. They can kick a ball and throw them overhead. They can climb up and down the stairs and furniture. They can copy simple lines and circles.

Choose toys and games that will create opportunities to develop physically and refine their gross and fine motor skills.

• Balance Boards
• Spring-Assisted Scissors
• Climbing Triangles
• Alphabet Tracing Activity Books

Safety Tips

When picking toys for your young children, safety should be your top priority. Always check the manual and safety features.

Check the textures and watch out for grains that stick out. Make sure that there are no sharp edges and pinching points that can cause harm.

Two-year-olds love to go into their toys and try to disassemble them. Make sure there are no small removable parts that are choking hazards. Avoid battery-operated toys because batteries are harmful to kids and humans in general.

Best Montessori Toys for 2 Year Olds: Nurturing Independence and Skill Development

At this stage of their lives, 2 yeat old children are eager to learn about the world around them through sorting, stacking and categorizing. The best toys for this stage of their development encourage independence and sense of identity. The right age-appropriate Montessori toys for toddlers also provide opportunities for fine and gross motor practice, problem-solving, and practical life skills development. Let’s explore the best Montessori toys for 2year old’s.

Coin Bank

The coin bank for kids is a valuable Montessori toy that teaches your child the importance of saving and counting money. With its variety of shapes and bright colors, it enhances hand-eye coordination and improves cognitive development.

Puzzles

Wooden puzzles are classic Montessori toys that offer endless learning opportunities for your 2-year-old. They help develop dexterity and control in their fingers, improve spatial reasoning, and require patience and persistence. Your child can learn shapes, animals, and more while having fun.

Peg Dolls

Peg dolls are simple, colorful toys that promote imaginative play and enhance fine motor skills. They offer a wide range of play possibilities and can be used for storytelling and pretend play. Your child can develop cognitive skills and learn about different characters through creative play.

Wooden Walker

The wooden walker toy is not only a great tool for enhancing gross motor skills but also for improving muscular development. It encourages your child to take their first steps while engaging in activities that promote cognitive ability and problem-solving.

Realistic Figurines

Realistic figurines are perfect for fostering imaginative play and enhancing cognitive development. Your child can create stories, engage in role-playing, and develop problem-solving skills. These figurines introduce your child to the world around them and facilitate meaningful connections.

Musical Instruments

Musical instruments provide an avenue for creativity and self-expression while improving cognitive development. Introducing your child to different rhythms and melodies at a young age enhances their auditory and sensory skills. A word of warning; be prepared for a lot of noise.

Hammer Toys

Hammer toys are designed to improve hand-eye coordination and develop dexterity and control in the fingers. They offer a great way for children to release pent-up energy while promoting motor skills and problem-solving abilities. Adult supervision is important to ensure safety.

Blocks

Montessori blocks are not only great for developing problem-solving skills but also for allowing children to express their creativity and imagination. They promote fine motor skills and provide a foundation for learning math and physics concepts. These durable, non-toxic wooden blocks will last for years.

Shape Sorting Cube

The shape sorting cube is an engaging toy that helps children develop problem-solving skills and enhances fine motor skills. Your child can improve their cognitive development and spatial awareness by recognizing and matching different shapes. Small shapes can be a choking hazard for young children so be mindful of that.

Chunky Water Blocks

Chunky water blocks combine the simplicity of wooden blocks with a colorful design. These blocks help enhance hand-eye coordination, stimulate creativity and imagination, and provide a fun way for your child to learn colors and shapes. Be prepared for some splashing and water play!

Rainbow Stacker

The rainbow stacker is a vibrant building block toy set that improves problem-solving skills and fosters early math skills. Your child will develop cognitive abilities and learn about sizes, shape, and pattern recognition playing with the rainbow stacker.

Board Books

Board books are ideal for young children who are still learning to handle books. They play a crucial role in early literacy development and expand your child’s vocabulary. Look for books based on reality, with interesting details, and appropriate for your child’s age and learning level.

Wooden Nesting Stacking & Bowls

Wooden nesting stacking and bowls are multifunctional toys that foster creativity and imagination. Your child can stack them to make a tower, nest them inside each other, or use them for drawing. These toys help your child learn about sizes, weights, counting, and spatial relationships.

Wooden Puzzle Shape Sorter

The wooden puzzle shape sorter is a versatile toy that improves fine motor skills and enhances imaginative play. Your child can learn to combine objects in different ways, match blocks, and explore colors, shapes, and numbers.

Colored Balls and Cups

Colored balls and cups are excellent for enhancing imaginative play and developing practical life skills. Your child can match and sort the colored balls into the corresponding cups, promoting balance, motor skills, and color recognition. Things can get messy really quickly so be prepared for a bit of cleanup.

Fine Motor Mastery Busy Board

The fine motor mastery busy board is designed to develop various motor skills and critical thinking in your child. It features different types of clothing fasteners, allowing your child to practice the fine motor skills required for dressing and undressing.

Peg Board

Peg boards are simple yet effective toys that help develop visual memory and counting skills. Your child can engage in hands-on learning by placing and removing pegs, enhancing their motor skills and understanding of numbers and quantities.

Paint Play

Paint play offers a wonderful opportunity for your child to explore and experiment with colors and textures. It fosters curiosity and interest in the visual arts while allowing for sensory exploration. Be prepared for a fun messy experience with your little one.

Housework Helpers Cleaning Tools

Housework helper cleaning tools provide a chance for your child to engage in practical life skills. With child-sized cleaning tools, they can mimic real household chores, improving their sense of responsibility and developing practical life skills.

Assorted Wooden Fruit Set

The assorted wooden fruit set is a durable and engaging toy that improves fine motor skills and enhances imaginative play. Your child can learn about different fruits, practice sorting and matching, and engage in pretend play with this colorful and realistic set.

Wooden Lacing Toys

Wooden lacing toys are made of durable materials and help improve critical thinking skills in kids. They require your child to thread strings through the designated holes, promoting hand-eye coordination and problem-solving abilities.

Race Cars & Ramp

Race cars and ramps provide endless fun and excitement for your 2-year-old. Made of durable materials, these toys help develop hand-eye coordination, attention span, communication skills, and repetition through play.

Play Sink

The play sink is an excellent toy for imaginative play and developing practical life skills. Your child can engage in pretend play while learning about daily activities in the kitchen. Play kitchens can take a fair amount of space so ensure you have the available space before purchasing one for your child.

Crawling Tunnel

The crawling tunnel offers a fantastic way to engage your toddler in gross motor play. It develops problem-solving skills, encourages creativity, and stimulates the imagination. You will need a lot of space for your kids to play with the crawling tunnel so be prepared to give up that space in your house.

Eggs Sensory Game

The eggs sensory game is a fun and engaging toy that improves mix and match skills and develops problem-solving abilities. With its unique color and shape combinations, this toy allows your child to discover and explore while enhancing their hand-eye coordination and cognitive development.

FAQs

Are Montessori toys expensive? Montessori toys are more expensive than regular toys. If you want to save, you can buy second-hand Montessori toys from reliable sources or make DIY toys. Despite the higher price, Montessori toys are worth the price because they are purposeful, durable, and safe. Cheap is not always the best option. Quality should be key.

Are Montessori toys effective? If you buy them from a reliable source and you get age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate toys, they are effective. The effectiveness of Montessori toys depends on how you curate them and how you assist your child during play.

Why is my two-year-old not interested in the Montessori toys I bought? There are many reasons why children do not show interest in some toys. They might be intimidated by it. Give them enough encouragement and show them how to use it. Give them one toy at a time. If they are surrounded by too many toys, they can easily be distracted. Make sure that the toys are age-appropriate. Choose toys that they are interested in. Montessori is all about the child’s current interests.

Summary

The best Montessori toys for 2-year olds are those that help them achieve and develop new milestones in social and emotional skills, language and communication skills, brain development, movement and physical development, and practical skills. The best montessori toys for toddlers are those that are safe and they can learn from.

If you are shopping for Montessori toys, you are already on the right path. Choosing Montessori instead of your average toys is the first step. Always keep in mind your child’s safety and developmental needs when shopping for toys.