Stimulating Curiosity
I recently spent the morning with a fantastic group of Montessori guides (teachers) at The Children’s House in Davidson, North Carolina. After preparing for our workshop sessions, I checked out the toddler classroom. They were in the process of setting up the space, so I focused on exploring the classroom materials.
In many toddler classrooms, you will find toys that are brightly colored and make lots of noise. These materials provide very little space for the child to use their imagination. This is not the case in a Montessori classroom. All of the materials provided to the children have a purpose. They are challenging, allowing children to use their imagination and stimulate curiosity.
Take, for example, the Sorting Bin with Elastic Bands shown in the picture above. This toy encourages children to focus while they problem solve and use their flexible thinking skills. A child can shake it, pull the bands, take the shapes out and push the shapes back in. It is such a simple design but filled with so many possibilities.
Looking for new materials for your classroom? Check out these sites:
A Big List of the Best Montessori Toys for Toddlers (1 – 3 Years Old)
