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Today I want to talk to you about one of my favorite parenting tools – Montessori treasure baskets. Also known as discovery baskets, Montessori treasure baskets encourage babies to explore a set of objects on their own and in their own way. These baskets are typically filled with everyday objects carefully selected to stimulate a child’s senses and curiosity. I’ve seen ones using only kitchen utensils, only the color red, or only starting with a specific letter of the alphabet, but really, the possibilities are endless. But I’ll be honest, although I’m entirely on board, I still struggle to know exactly what to put in one. So in this post, I’ll go over what treasure baskets are, why you should use them, and how to make one (with examples to get started right away).

What are Montessori Treasure Baskets?

Simply put, a Montessori treasure basket is a collection of everyday objects selected to

Benefits of Montessori Treasure Baskets

There are many benefits of using Montessori treasure baskets with your babies. Let’s look at the 5 primary benefits.

1. Encourages sensory exploration

Children are naturally curious and love to touch and explore objects in their environment. I know I’m not the only mom whose child has taken my phone or the remote control to explore. By providing a variety of objects with different textures, shapes, colors, and sizes, children are allowed to engage their senses and explore the world around them in a safe and contained way.

2. Promotes fine motor skills

As your child explores the Montessori treasure basket, they will use their hands and fingers (and probably mouth) to pick up and manipulate the objects. This helps to develop fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and finger strength in a realistic way. Think of how many different shapes of objects you touch throughout the day.

3. Builds vocabulary

Every object has a name, and every object has a list of properties. As a parent, you can narrate what they are doing and increase exposure to new words and phrases. For example, “That’s the red firetruck. Did you notice how the wheels spun?” There is a balance here, though. If you constantly interrupt a baby’s exploration with words, they may not want to continue with the activity. Make sure to look for joint attention and willingness to hear the descriptions. At some point, your child may want to explain the object to you.

4. Encourages independent play

This is one of my favorite benefits. How many times have you wanted to sit down and drink your coffee before it gets cold? Well, Montessori treasure baskets can help with that. Because the objects are carefully selected ahead of time, you can be sure they are safe for your baby to explore without needing to intervene. I love putting out a Montessori treasure basket in the mornings as the day’s first activity.

5. Fosters creativity

There’s no right or wrong way to play with the objects in a Montessori treasure basket. This allows children to make up stories or scenarios with the objects and use them in novel ways. I love to put older, outgrown toy parts in a basket to see the new ways they are played with. It makes me feel like I’m getting more out of the toy, and it helps encourage creativity and imagination.

How to Create a Montessori Treasure Basket

Creating a Montessori treasure basket is easy. Simply grab 4-6 objects and put them in a basket. For older children, you may increase this number. The important part is that they are all visible in the basket at one time. I like these baskets with handles because they are easier for a child to independently get off a shelf and move to their play area. Here are some tips for choosing the right objects.

When selecting objects for your treasure basket, think about ways to engage your child’s senses. Consider objects with different shapes, sizes, and sounds. If you want to create a themed basket, this is the step to think about what that theme is and what would be part of it. Some popular themes are nature or animals, but they can be anything. I love using treasure baskets to introduce a new concept, like colors, beginning sounds, or shapes, in a non-stressful and laid-back way.

This is the most important tip. Ensure that every object you select is safe for your child to explore. Avoid objects that are small enough to be swallowed or pose a choking hazard. Also, ensure that there are no sharp edges or loose parts that could cause injury. I mentioned one of the benefits is independent play, which is only possible if it’s safe!

I lean towards using natural materials, like wood, cotton, or wool, in my treasure baskets. I know my baby will try to eat them, so these materials are safe, non-toxic, and provide a variety of textures to explore.

Finally, don’t be afraid to include everyday objects. In fact, your baby may like these more because they see you interacting with them. Simple things like a wooden spoon, a metal whisk, or a fabric napkin can provide hours of exploration.

Examples of Objects to Include in a Montessori Treasure Basket

“If it’s so easy, why am I struggling to think of objects to include?” If that’s you, don’t worry. I’m the same way. This is the most challenging part for my neurodivergent mind. The possibilities are endless, so I have trouble moving to the concrete. So, here are some suggestions to help you get started. For each of them, make sure it’s safe for your child. While I am providing links to examples you can buy, creating a basket doesn’t need to be expensive. You can use whatever you have at home.

Different textures

• Silk scarf. Sarah’s silks are my favorite and are a staple for Waldorf education.
• Bean bag. These bean bags are made of cotton and are the primary colors, which are great for color-themed baskets.
• Large, smooth stone. Go on a scavenger hunt to find one outside, or quickly buy large river rocks for painting.
• A piece of rough sandpaper. Tons of options for cheap. If you have any of the Montessori sandpaper letters, use the letter your child’s name starts with!
• Small knitted toy. This elephant teething ring is so cute.
• Leather scrap. Here’s a pre-cut leather piece you can buy. Your local craft store is another good option to find this.
• Baby hairbrush. I never thought of using the soft hairbrush until I saw how calm my little one got when I brushed his hair. The goat wool and wood fit perfectly into this category.

Different sounds

• Rattle. This classic Montessori wooden rattle is my favorite.
• Bell. These handbells can also be used as the baby ages for musical development.
• Rainstick. The Hape rainmaker is perfect for a 6-month-old to hold. It rolls though, so be aware!
• Wooden blocks. I got HABA’s basic baby blocks. Similar to the bean bags above, these come in primary colors and can be used for a color-themed basket as well.
• Metal spoon.

Different smells

• Real fruit, like lemons or oranges. Citrus fruits tend to have the strongest smells.
• Cinnamon sticks. This is my favorite smell of all time.
• Fresh herbs. Put these in a small glass jar to make it easier to handle.
• Tea bags. You most likely will want to cut the string off for safety if it has one.

Nature

• Pinecone
• Seashells
• Coconut shell
• Leaves
• Rocks
• Piece of wood

Kitchen supplies

• Whisk
• Honey spoon
• Tea strainer
• Measuring cup
• Wooden spoon

Conclusion

In short, Montessori treasure baskets are a fantastic tool for any parents or caregiver looking to promote learning and development in their little ones. They’re fun, engaging, and allow endless customization to match your child’s interests and abilities. Plus, they promote independent play and creativity, something any busy parent is looking for. Give them a try today. Your child will thank you.

The post Exploring the Montessori Treasure Basket (For Babies) appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.