It’s that time again! Time to find some Montessori alternatives to popular toys. This time I’m focusing on baby toys. This list was a fun one to make since one of my best friends, Amy from Midwest Montessori, was here this weekend and we did it together. There are some truly overwhelming options out there, but the good news is there are also lots of Montessori friendly alternatives for the same or similar price!
Looking for others in this series:
We randomly picked 10 of the most popular baby items given as gifts on Amazon, Then, we found a Montessori friendly alternative! Here’s some that we found.
Pull and Sing Puppy instead try the Brio Pull Along Puppy
The traditional option here isn't Montessori friendly because it is just too busy. It is trying to do too much, teaching concepts that aren't appropriate for a baby. It's also not realistic. A simple pull toy, on the other hand, is a great way to engage new movements.
100 Words Book instead try the DK 100 Word Book
Again, the traditional set here is just way too busy. A baby's engagement with this is passive, where a baby is just hitting a button to "learn." The images are also unrealistic. The 100 words book includes real pictures, much less text, and is much less passive.
Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo instead try the Baby Einstein Spinner
The traditional option here is trying to teach the alphabet, plus songs, plus visual tracking and the motion of spinning. It's again way too much for a small baby. Plus the concepts are just not something babies need, nor is it a concrete way to learn. A simple spinning toy is a great visual and movement option that many babies love. Typically Montessori environments would have a glitter drum, but it is much more expensive, this simple spinner, while a bit less sturdy seems like a great alternative at this price.
Squirting Bath Toys instead try the Clown Fish
The traditional option here is a set of squirting bath toys. While these aren't the worst things on this list, they aren't a very realistic option and promote commercialized/marketed products. A simple animal model (this is a bit larger for babies), is a fun way to engage in learning about fish and water play.
Sit to Stand Ride On Toy instead try the Radio Flyer Scoot to Scooter
This scooter literally does it all, I'm overstimulated looking at it. It is doing so so much. It doesn't isolate any one concept, it teaches inappropriate concepts, and is just so so busy. Instead, the simple design of the other scooter focuses on gross motor movement, while allowing for growth later on.
Hedgehog Pegging Toy instead try the Pop Up Toy
This traditional toy is just unrealistic. The pegging skill is very attractive to babies and toddlers, but by keeping it simple the skill is isolated and more easily learned.
Laugh and Learn Puppy instead try the Realistic Puppy
Stuffed animals are a really nice toy for babies, they are cuddly and fun. But the traditional toy, is again just taking it one step too far. Teaching too much, "teaching" things that are inappropriate all while being unrealistic. A simple, realistic, stuffed animal is a great alternative.
Mozart Magic Cube instead try the Honer Xylophone
Wiggle and Crawl Ball instead try the Large O-Ball
The traditional option is literally all about trying to entertain a child. Even in its description it says it is trying to "attract your baby's attention." In Montessori we know that a baby can deeply concentrate when given the opportunity, this has so much going on that concentration and attention are very short lived. A nice larger rolling ball is a great way to allow a baby to be an active participant in play and connect movement of their bodies to movement in objects.
The soft cars are a bit busy and unrealistic for a Montessori environment. They aren't the worst toys on this list, but there are good alternatives available. This plastic car is a good alternative because its design allows even young crawling babies to grab and push it along. If you want a natural materials option, this car is another great option for babies.
Do you have any of these toys?
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Comments
This is awesome! Thank you so much for this.
