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Montessori Toys For 4 Year Olds (6 Characteristics Of Montessori Toys)

Montessori Toys For 4 Year Olds -,At age four, toddlers have developed greater independence, self-control, and creativity. They can play with their toys for longer periods because they have better focus and concentration. They love to try new things and can express their emotions clearly especially when they are happy or frustrated.

What are the best Montessori toys for 4-year-olds? The best Montessori toys for4-year-olds are those that encourage physical activity, simple cooperative games, foster love for music and arts, and open-ended and closed-ended Montessori toys. Montessori toys must be age appropriate and help address their developmental needs as well as be fun to play with. It must help children learn a lesson, acquire a skill, or achieve a milestone one at a time.

Montessori Toys that Encourage Physical Activity

Four-year-olds are very active in high in energy. They are constantly looking for ways to move around and learn their physical limits.

Young children need a lot of physical activities to have an outlet for releasing energy, developing muscles, improving movement, and learning at the same time.

Here are our favorite Montessori toys that your toddlers will surely:

Pikler – the pikler is a good investment because it can grow with your child. It can be used not just to practice and master climbing, it will also help teach children about their bodies, how it works, and how it relates to a different movement. A pickler can also be used in imaginary play. Your kid can play on their own or with friends and turn the pickles into anything they can dream up.
Balance Board – a balance board is a great way to give children an activity where they can release their energy. It is fun and exciting. It helps develop a strong core and improves muscle development, balance, and movement. It is also great for imaginative play. Kids can flip it over and turn it into a tunnel or a hiding spot. It can be used as a bridge, reimagined as a boat, a seesaw for two, or even a step stool for reaching things.

Simple Cooperative Montessori Games

Four-year-olds are more independent and love to interact with others. They can be defiant at times and challenge rules and boundaries. Simple cooperative games can teach them to follow and respect rules, play well with others, learn to take turns, and improve their social skills.

Simple Card Games – card games are great activities for curious four-year-olds. Gard games come with instructions, rules, and sequences. It will teach them to behave and play well with others, follow instructions, and respect the rules of the game and its sequence. It also develops positive character traits and sharpens their critical thinking skills while having fun.
Floor Puzzles – simple floor puzzles help toddlers develop focus and concentration. It calms them down. It stimulates their problem-solving skills.

Open-Ended Montessori Toys

Open-ended toys foster creativity, exploration, and imagination. It allows the child to use the toy in whatever they imagine it to be. It stimulates their mind and develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Open-ended toys encourage toddlers to be active and improve their gross and fine motor skills.

Wooden Building Blocks – this block set provides opportunities for building anything your child can imagine. It is also more fun when they build with you, other family members, and friends.
Wooden Play House – a play house is great for pretend play. Children come up with different scenarios with you and their friends. It will help develop their imagination and social skills.

Closed-Ended Montessori Toys

Contrary to popular opinion, closed-ended toys are good too. They provide a structure that is important for young energetic toddlers. They have a set of repetitive responses like putting in or on. Repetition is important in Montessori learning. It requires good hand-eye coordination and visual-spatial skills.

Stacking sets like a ring or cup stackers
Shape sorters
Insert puzzles
Montessori Wooden Knobbed Cylinders

Simple Wooden Musical Instruments

Toddlers love to sing and dance. It is a great time to introduce simple musical instruments so they can learn how music and different sounds are made.

Learning simple sounds and music stimulates movement and the sense of hearing. It also helps toddler focus their energy on one activity.

Start with simple wooden instruments like:

A maracas
Tamborine
A drum
Triangle
Kid xylophone

Simple Open-Ended Art Sets

Open-ended art sets encourage experimentation which is important for a child’s creativity and development. A simple art activity can turn into something else in your toddler’s mind. It can open up a new world of fun and imagination.

Scissors
Colored Papers
Painting sets
Watercolor
Crayons
Glue and cardboard
Gel crayons

FAQs

Why are Montessori toys expensive? Montessori toys are usually more expensive than regular toys because they are made of natural, high-quality materials, safe, durable, and address the developmental needs of the child.

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Do I need to coordinate with my child’s Montessori school when choosing toys? It is not necessary but it is beneficial if you work closely with your Montessori school. You must know what your child is doing and how they are progressing in school so you can reinforce that with activities and toys at home. This way, your child’s home, and school are in sync and they can develop at an optimal level.

How much alone time do I give my child during playtime? At four years old, you should give your child as much independent work and play as possible. We don’t mean you leave them unsupervised. What we mean is that you let them play and work on their own or with a friend and other family members without interference. It is important for developing independence, focus, and concentration.

Summary

The best Montessori toys for 4-year-olds are those that encourage physical activity, simple cooperative games, foster love for music and arts, and open-ended and closed-ended Montessori toys. Montessori toys must be age appropriate and help address their developmental needs as well as be fun to play with. It must help children learn a lesson, acquire a skill, or achieve a milestone one at a time.

Toddlers are on their way to greater independence and growth. It is important to support them every step of the way and provide them with the right tools and encouragement.