https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/how-many-toys-should-a-toddler-have 2026-10-06T18:23:25+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-hero-lifestyle.jpg?v=1788782023 How many toys should a toddler have? A toddler playing on the floor with a few wooden toys in a calm, uncluttered room https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/are-montessori-toys-better 2026-10-04T21:14:11+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-are-they-better.jpg?v=1788802673 Are Montessori toys actually better? A wooden shape-sorter and a wooden ring-stacker side by side on cream linen https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/how-long-should-a-toddler-play-independently 2026-10-06T23:28:30+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-independent-play.jpg?v=1788802666 How long should a toddler play independently? A wooden ring-stacker left part-built on a rug beside a low shelf of wooden toys https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/montessori-at-home-where-to-start 2026-10-06T23:28:29+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/pexels-karolina-grabowska-7296786.jpg?v=1788784516 Montessori at home: where to start A child at a home table with wooden pegs and blocks laid out in front of her https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/when-do-toddlers-start-doing-puzzles 2026-10-06T18:23:26+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-when-do-toddlers-start-doing-puzzl-2400.jpg?v=1788799439 When do toddlers start doing puzzles? A wooden hand-grab peg puzzle board with lift-out shaped pieces https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/montessori-vs-waldorf 2026-10-06T23:28:29+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-montessori-vs-waldorf-2400.jpg?v=1788799448 Montessori vs Waldorf: a parent’s comparison Wooden toys seen from above on a wooden floor, with two children playing https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/can-2-year-old-play-with-3-plus-toys 2026-10-06T17:19:48+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-can-2-year-old-play-with-3-plus-toys-hero_0cfef8b6-8931-4d6f-ba3b-a90d9c0b731f.jpg?v=1788825842 Can a 2-year-old play with toys labeled 3+? A wooden peg board with loose pegs on a cream cloth beside a wooden stacking ring toy with large rings, in natural window light. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/how-much-activity-toddler-needs 2026-09-28T20:51:30+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-how-much-activity-toddler-needs-hero_796c9ac1-3b36-42a3-9220-ae5fe2c8f92d.jpg?v=1788825854 How much activity does a toddler actually need? (180 minutes, and what counts) A half-full wicker laundry basket of folded oatmeal-coloured cloths on a pale wooden floor beside a small wooden step stool, lit by soft window light. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/child-counting-objects-vs-reciting-numbers 2026-10-06T18:21:00+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-child-counting-objects-vs-reciting-numbe-hero_7cdf75a9-f97d-4819-9efb-847ad183372e.jpg?v=1788825885 When should a child be able to count objects, not just recite numbers? A loose pile of small identical wooden counting discs on a cream tabletop, with four discs set apart from the pile in a short row. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/shape-sorter-age 2026-10-06T18:20:56+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-shape-sorter-age-hero.jpg?v=1788825826 What age is a shape sorter for? A wooden shape sorter box with a round, square and triangular hole cut in its lid, and the three matching wooden blocks lying beside it on a cream linen cloth. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/should-4-year-old-write-name-before-kindergarten 2026-10-06T18:20:58+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-should-4-year-old-write-name-before-kind-hero.jpg?v=1788825872 Should a 4-year-old be able to write their name before kindergarten? A small chalkboard on a wooden tray with a circle, a cross and a square drawn in white chalk, a stick of chalk beside it, on a cream tablecloth https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/are-worksheets-appropriate-for-3-year-olds 2026-09-28T20:51:30+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-are-worksheets-appropriate-for-3-year-ol-hero.jpg?v=1788825897 Are worksheets developmentally appropriate for a 3-year-old? A thick wax crayon and a wooden pencil lying on a sheet of plain cream paper on a light oak table, next to a small wooden tray of coloured wooden pegs. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/are-balance-boards-good-for-toddlers 2026-10-06T18:21:03+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-are-balance-boards-good-for-toddlers-hero_2b37ee07-e97a-494e-9221-0cfad5a33710.jpg?v=1788825927 Are balance boards good for toddlers? What age, and when to skip one A curved wooden balance board lying on an oatmeal wool rug in a cream-walled living room, with the edge of a linen sofa and its cushions visible behind it and daylight coming from a window on the left. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/montessori-chores-3-year-old-evidence 2026-09-28T20:51:30+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-montessori-chores-3-year-old-evidence-hero_2e22fb91-9bf3-49c4-b56b-11b94269b68e.jpg?v=1788825940 Montessori chores: what the evidence says about a 3-year-old helping A child-sized wooden broom and dustpan leaning against a cream wall, with a small scatter of dried oats on a wooden floor beside them. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/sensory-seeking-toddler-normal 2026-09-28T20:51:30+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-sensory-seeking-toddler-normal-hero_d54cbb2c-99c2-450d-ab7b-c5f5fa131b7f.jpg?v=1788825949 Is my toddler sensory seeking, or is this normal? Two oatmeal-colored couch cushions lying on a wooden floor beside a low wooden stool and the corner of a cream rug, in morning light from a window. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/letters-or-sounds-first 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-letters-or-sounds-first-hero_7eb57bc8-7120-45e1-9aef-40806ef13b1d.jpg?v=1788825959 Letters or sounds first? What to say to a 3- or 4-year-old A low wooden tray on a cream tablecloth holding three small carved wooden objects: a cat, a cup and a cow, with no letters or text anywhere. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/set-up-montessori-shelf-what-to-leave-off 2026-10-04T21:14:12+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-set-up-montessori-shelf-what-to-leave-of-hero_e9c030c5-f9ca-4d2f-b6af-b54a2057eeb0.jpg?v=1788825978 How to set up a Montessori shelf (and what to leave off) A low wooden shelf with five separate trays spaced apart, each holding one wooden toy, one tray pulled slightly forward. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/play-kitchen-vs-learning-tower 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-play-kitchen-vs-learning-tower-hero_39e3248b-1a92-40ef-9ba2-591443aee596.jpg?v=1788826007 Play kitchen or learning tower: which one actually gets used? A wooden toy tea set and two small wooden pans arranged on an oatmeal rug beside a low pale wooden shelf. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/montessori-small-apartment-toy-shelf 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-montessori-small-apartment-toy-shelf-hero_615e5ba0-2546-478f-afbf-8de0049c92a7.jpg?v=1788826020 Montessori in a small apartment: where the living room shelf actually goes A low two-tier wooden shelf against a living room wall beside the corner of a sofa, holding five wooden toys on plain trays with space between them, a small woven mat on the floor in front. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/does-montessori-encourage-pretend-play 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-does-montessori-encourage-pretend-play-hero_27d75031-8543-4a03-bd05-e037143be4b1.jpg?v=1788826034 Does Montessori encourage pretend play? Keep the play kitchen A low wooden shelf holding a small glass jug, a short-handled brush and dustpan, a folded linen cloth and a child-sized wooden board with a small knife. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/are-second-hand-baby-toys-safe 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-are-second-hand-baby-toys-safe-hero_383d57e2-6644-43d8-8409-a0afd23e05a1.jpg?v=1788826050 Are second-hand baby toys safe? A five-minute check Two wooden toys on a pale table: on the left a bare unpainted beech ring stacker, on the right an older wooden pull-along with chipped painted stripes. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/is-lining-up-toys-normal-2-year-old 2026-10-06T17:19:47+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-is-lining-up-toys-normal-2-year-old-hero.jpg?v=1788825991 My 2-year-old lines up his toys. Is that normal? Nine small wooden animal figures arranged in a single straight row along the edge of an oatmeal wool rug on a pale wooden floor. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/toddler-throwing-toys 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-toddler-throwing-toys-hero.jpg?v=1788826061 My toddler throws everything. Is that normal, and when does it stop? A wooden ring lying on bare floorboards a few feet from a low woven basket, in morning light https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/pincer-grasp-activities-9-months 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-pincer-grasp-activities-9-months-hero.jpg?v=1788825915 Pincer grasp activities at 9 months, when everything still goes in the mouth A short brass cylinder with a slanted base standing on a cream linen cloth, beside a large wooden knob and a wooden bead fixed on a curved wire. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/toddler-wont-play-with-toys-instead-of-screen-time 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-toddler-wont-play-with-toys-instead-of-s-hero_91c256da-4d33-41e1-9fa7-85034e0a198e.jpg?v=1788826086 What to do instead of screen time, when your toddler won't play with toys A low wooden tray on a pale oak floor holding a small glass jug, two ceramic cups, a sponge and a folded oatmeal cloth, with morning light falling from a window on the left. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/when-can-a-toddler-pour-their-own-water 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-when-can-a-toddler-pour-their-own-water-hero_480a84e1-788e-4614-aa2b-16ae7bdf4056.jpg?v=1788826140 When can a toddler pour their own water? (Rice first, and why) A small round wooden tray on a pale wooden table holding a miniature cream ceramic pitcher, a small glass bowl of dry white rice, and a folded linen cloth. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/should-i-let-my-toddler-help 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-should-i-let-my-toddler-help-hero_f336558e-e77a-4aba-a0f6-e919587256b8.jpg?v=1788826170 My toddler wants to help and everything takes twice as long. Should I let him? A low wooden tray on a kitchen counter holding two small ceramic cups and a folded cotton cloth, with a small glass jug beside it. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/stop-grandparents-buying-too-many-toys 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-stop-grandparents-buying-too-many-toys-hero_e14deee6-32b1-4059-b763-8c512de2b06e.jpg?v=1788826182 How do I get the grandparents to stop buying so many toys, without a fight? A wooden puzzle, a shape sorter and a stack of wooden blocks arranged on a pale oak floor beside two board books, lit by daylight from a window. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/can-a-3-year-old-use-scissors 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-can-a-3-year-old-use-scissors-hero.jpg?v=1788826072 Can a 3-year-old use scissors? What has to work before the scissors do Wooden tongs resting across the rim of a small ceramic bowl of pompoms on a wooden tray, with a second empty bowl beside it. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/threading-beads-toddler-setup-stops-dumping 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-threading-beads-toddler-setup-stops-dump-hero.jpg?v=1788826100 Threading beads with a toddler: the setup that stops the dumping A small wooden tray on a table holding four large wooden beads and a short stiff lace with a wooden tip, one bead already threaded onto it. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/is-my-2-year-olds-fine-motor-behind 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-is-my-2-year-olds-fine-motor-behind-hero.jpg?v=1788826115 Is my 2-year-old's fine motor behind? What an OT checks that the toy aisle doesn't A small wooden jar with its screw lid half off, next to a shallow oatmeal ceramic dish holding large natural wood beads and a short stiff lace, on a pale cream tabletop. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/what-is-a-montessori-toy 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-what-is-a-montessori-toy-hero.jpg?v=1788826130 What is a Montessori toy? Nobody certifies the word, so here is the test A plain wooden posting box with one round hole and a single wooden ball resting beside it on a pale oak shelf. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/does-my-child-need-strong-hands-before-writing 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-does-my-child-need-strong-hands-before-w-hero.jpg?v=1788826155 Does my child need strong hands before writing? What actually predicts it A small wooden coin bank with a narrow slot in the lid, several smooth wooden discs scattered beside it, one disc resting half inside the slot. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/5-year-old-cheats-at-board-games 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-5-year-old-cheats-at-board-games-hero.jpg?v=1788826213 My 5-year-old cheats at board games and cries when she loses. Is that normal? A round wooden peg board with small colored pegs, some standing in holes and some lying loose beside it, and a small wooden color die on a cream tablecloth. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/what-should-a-first-birthday-toy-do 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-what-should-a-first-birthday-toy-do-hero.jpg?v=1788826241 What should a first-birthday toy actually do? Three jobs a 1-year-old can already do A small wooden cup on a pale oak floorboard with three wooden balls, two inside the cup and one beside it. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/what-can-a-2-year-old-do-in-the-kitchen 2026-09-28T20:51:31+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-what-can-a-2-year-old-do-in-the-kitchen-hero.jpg?v=1788826270 What can a 2-year-old actually do in the kitchen? A wooden step stool with side rails standing at a kitchen counter, with a shallow bowl of green beans and a small ceramic jug on the counter above. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/montessori-christmas-gifts-3-4-5-year-olds 2026-10-03T11:14:07+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-christmas-gifts-2026-hero.jpg?v=1790617720 Montessori Christmas gifts for 3, 4 and 5 year olds, picked by age A wooden standing easel with a chalk Christmas tree drawn on its chalkboard, art supplies in the tray and a wrapped present on the floor beside it. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/montessori-halloween-activities-2-to-5-year-olds 2026-10-06T23:28:25+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-halloween-activities-hero-sorting-cups.jpg?v=1791318505 Montessori Halloween activities for 2 to 5 year olds Seven wooden sorting cups in rainbow colors with a matching wooden ball in front of each, on a cream table with small pumpkins, autumn leaves and a garland of rust-orange felt bats. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/lovevery-alternatives-buy-one-at-a-time 2026-09-29T16:16:54+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-lovevery-alternatives-hero.jpg?v=1790687814 Lovevery alternatives: Montessori toys you can buy one at a time Four wooden fruit-shaped lacing boards - watermelon, apple, pear and pineapple - laid on a cream tablecloth beside blue cords with wooden worm tips and green beads, with eucalyptus and warm terracotta pots at the edges. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/montessori-hanukkah-gifts-3-5-year-olds 2026-10-06T23:33:30+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-hanukkah-gifts-hero-menorah-v2.jpg?v=1791318810 Hanukkah gifts for 3, 4 and 5 year olds: eight nights, by age A wooden fruit peg puzzle with small wooden knobs on its pieces, on a cream linen tablecloth, with a brass Hanukkah menorah, three plain wooden dreidels and a pale blue napkin behind it. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/weekly-montessori-toy-rotation-ages-3-5 2026-10-06T23:28:28+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-weekly-rotation-hero-memory-game.jpg?v=1791318508 A weekly Montessori toy rotation for ages 3 to 5 A round wooden color memory game seen from above, its wooden pegs laid in a ring around the board with their colored ends facing out, a wooden color die, small terracotta pots and gold wire shapes on a cream table. https://mirthwell.com/blogs/montessori-toys/montessori-toys-for-4-year-olds 2026-10-06T19:16:08+03:00 weekly https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0733/2672/3323/articles/mw-blog-montessori-toys-for-4-year-olds-hero.jpg?v=1791303368 Montessori toys for 4 year olds A green felt farm story board on a cream background, with a felt barn, farm animals, a tractor, a windmill, an apple tree and a farmer pressed onto it.