Embracing the Montessori approach, we provide a carefully prepared environment that promotes hands-on learning, allowing our children to engage with educational materials at their own pace and discover knowledge through meaningful experiences. Focusing on self-directed learning, we encourage our children to follow their interests and passions, enabling them to take an active role in shaping their educational journey. By providing a wide range of age-appropriate materials and activities, we cater to our children’s individual needs and learning styles, empowering them to become confident and independent learners.

From the Waldorf philosophy, we embrace the profound impact of nature on a child’s holistic development. Nature becomes an integral part of our curriculum, and we regularly venture outdoors to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the natural world. We encourage our children to connect with the natural world, fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for the environment.

Incorporating the principles of the Charlotte Mason method, we embrace the idea of “living education” and the use of living books to engage and inspire our children’s learning. We believe in the power of quality literature and its ability to connect our children with ideas, stories, and characters, fostering a love for reading and a genuine interest in learning.

At the heart of our homeschool philosophy lies the belief in cultivating problem-solving skills and nurturing independent thinking. We strive to provide our children with opportunities to think critically, analyze situations, and devise innovative solutions, empowering them to face challenges with creativity and resilience.

In combining the principles of Montessori, Waldorf, and Charlotte Mason, our ultimate goal is to create an enriching and flexible learning environment where our children’s unique strengths and interests can flourish. By embracing this diverse educational approach and encouraging outdoor exploration, we seek to nurture well-rounded individuals who are academically capable, compassionate, curious, and equipped to positively impact the world around them.

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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.

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The goal of threading is to put a guide, such as a string, through a bead. This activity is a precursor to sewing, a practical life skill. Before a child progresses to string, they first work on what you’ll often see called stacking. The “string” in the following activities are stationary dowels, whereas the “bead” is any combination of rings or 3D shapes. These activities help develop fine motor skills, primarily hand-eye coordination, as well as strengthen the muscles in the arms, wrists, and fingers. As we progress through the levels, a child refines their hand movements and develops better hand, wrist, and finger control. The beads become smaller and require more advanced grips and the margin for error with the dowels decreases.

Note: the ages presented here approximate when to introduce the material. However, do not rely solely on these ages. It is better to see what level your child is at and choose the next level activity. A child’s interests and skills vary greatly. If your child is not interested or the material is too difficult, put it away for a few weeks and try again later.

Level 1: Rocking stacker

The first level is a traditional ring stacker with a twist: a rocking base and variable-width rod. This helps prevent the frustration that can occur early on from the stand falling over. In other words, a child’s movements don’t have to be precise, which is great because, at this age, they won’t be!

Approximate age: 8 months

See Level 1 Threading: Rocking Stacker for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 2: Large rings on a vertical dowel

The second level introduces a straight vertical dowel with very large rings. Similar to level 1, there is a high margin of error when putting the rings on, which helps to slowly refine hand movements.

Approximate age: 10 months

See Level 2 Threading: Large Rings on Vertical Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 3: Wooden discs on a vertical dowel

Level 3 introduces the wooden discs we will use in many of the future levels. The discs have narrower centers, which require the child to be more precise when placing them on the dowel.

Approximate age: 11 months

See Level 3 Threading: Wooden Discs on a Vertical Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 4a: Ring stacker with variable size

Level 4a introduces the first main variation: different-sized rings. If you remember in level 1, I said to hold off on giving all of the rings at once. At that time, we wanted to focus only on putting a ring on the stick. Now, after months of practice, we expect the child to have become very good at that part, so we can introduce a new skill: distinguishing between different sizes.

Approximate age: 12 months

See Level 4a Threading: Ring Stacker with Variable Size for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 4b: Cubes on a vertical dowel

With level 4b, we change the shape of the “bead”. Instead of rings, we now use a 3D cube. This allows the child to refine their grip and further improve hand-eye coordination and grip strength.

Approximate age: 12 months

See Level 4b: Cubes on a Vertical Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 5a: Wooden discs on colored dowels

Level 5a adds a new dimension to the already mastered “put disc on vertical dowel” activity in level 3. Now, there are 3 colored dowels as well as 3 different colored discs. This activity then becomes a way to introduce sorting by color.

Approximate age: 15 months

See Level 5a: Wooden Discs on Colored Dowels for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 5b: Multiple 3D shapes on a vertical dowel

By providing multiple 3D shapes, level 5b extends the already mastered cube activity in level 4b. The different shapes provide further refinement of a child’s grip and we begin sorting by shape.

Approximate age: 15 months

See Level 5b: Multiple 3D Shapes on a Vertical Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 6: Wooden discs on a horizontal straight dowel

Level 6 switches from a vertical dowel to a horizontal one, allowing fine motor refinement in a new axis of motion.

Approximate age: 16 months

See Level 6: Wooden Discs on a Horizontal Straight Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

Level 7: Wooden discs on a horizontal serpentine dowel

The final level uses a curvy, or serpentine, dowel. The curvy dowel combines moving in multiple axes at once to accomplish a goal.

Approximate age: 17 months

See Level 7: Wooden Discs on a Horizontal Serpentine Dowel for information on goals, materials, and how to present the activity.

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The final level uses a curvy, or serpentine, dowel. The curvy dowel combines moving in multiple axes at once to accomplish a goal.

Primary Goals

• Strengthen arm and wrist muscles.
• Refine pincer grasp.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Increase focus and concentration.
• Develop hand dominance.

Approximate age

17 months, or as soon as the child is comfortable with the straight horizontal dowel in Level 6.

Materials

Discs on horizontal dowel variation: serpentine

Presentation

• Place the discs in a basket next to the base in a tray.
• Help your child bring the tray to the work area. (Carrying objects while walking appears around 18 months, so modify the amount of help on what they are able to do.)
• Place the base with the dowel pointing to the right.
• With your right hand and the pincer grasp, take a disc out of the basket.
• Slowly and carefully put it on the dowel.
• Repeat with the remaining discs.
• One at a time, remove the discs from the dowel.
• Offer the child a turn and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the discs back in the basket and put them on the tray.
• Help the child return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

None. Use the previous level with the straight horizontal dowel.

Extensions

Once putting the discs on with the dowel pointing right is mastered, rotate it to point left and have the child use the other hand to put it on.

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Level 6 switches from a vertical dowel to a horizontal one, allowing fine motor refinement in a new axis of motion.

Primary Goals

• Strengthen arm and wrist muscles.
• Refine pincer grasp.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Increase focus and concentration.
• Develop hand dominance.

Approximate age

16 months

Materials

Discs on horizontal dowel toy

Presentation

• Place the discs in a basket next to the base in a tray.
• Help your child bring the tray to the work area. (Carrying objects while walking appears around 18 months, so modify the amount of help on what they are able to do.)
• Place the base with the dowel pointing to the right.
• With your right hand and the pincer grasp, take a disc out of the basket.
• Slowly and carefully put it on the dowel.
• Repeat with the remaining discs.
• One at a time, remove the discs from the dowel.
• Offer the child a turn and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the discs back in the basket and put them on the tray.
• Help the child return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

None

Extensions

Once putting the discs on with the dowel pointing right is mastered, rotate it to point left and have the child use the other hand to put it on.

The post Level 6 Threading: Wooden Discs on a Horizontal Straight Dowel appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

By providing multiple 3D shapes, level 5b extends the already mastered cube activity in level 4b. The different shapes provide further refinement of a child’s grip and we begin sorting by shape.

Primary Goals

• Develop visual discrimination, specifically in shapes and colors.
• Refine palmar grasp.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Increase focus and concentration.
• [Math] Introduce understanding size, shape, and patterns.

Approximate age

15 months

Materials

The best version I’ve seen is colored solids on dowels. Something to be mindful of is each of the 3D shapes in that toy is different colors, so it won’t be clear whether your child is sorting by color or shape. That’s okay for now because both develop visual discrimination, but you’ll want to make sure there are many other opportunities to work on each individually.

Presentation

When presented with this activity, the child should already be familiar with the single peg variation. Instead of showing them step by step as in previous levels, let them explore and problem-solve. If they do not realize to match the shapes after a while, change the setup and start with the completed version.

• Option 1: Place the 3D objects on the base of the stand on a tray.
• Option 2: Place the completed puzzle on the tray.
• Bring the tray to your child’s work area.
• Present them with the activity and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the objects back on the stand and put them on the tray.
• Return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

N/A

Extensions

By using the stand from level 5a, you can force sorting by color so each shape goes on the corresponding colored peg. Once your child has a good grasp on grouping by color or shapes, you can begin to teach the names when they put the object on the peg.

The post Level 5b Threading: Multiple 3D Shapes on a Vertical Dowel appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

Level 5a adds a new dimension to the already mastered “put disc on vertical dowel” activity in level 3. Now, there are 3 colored dowels as well as 3 different colored discs. This activity then becomes a way to introduce sorting by color.

Primary Goals

• Develop visual discrimination, specifically in color.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Increase focus and concentration.
• [Math] Introduce understanding size, shape, and patterns.

Approximate age

15 months

Materials

Wooden colored discs on colored dowels

Presentation

When presented with this activity, the child should already be familiar with the single peg variation. Instead of showing them step by step as in previous levels, let them explore and problem-solve. If they do not realize to match the colors after a while, change the setup and start with the completed version.

• Option 1: Place the colored discs in a basket next to the stand on the tray.
• Option 2: Place an empty basket next to the completed puzzle on the tray.
• Bring the tray to your child’s work area.
• Present them with the activity and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the discs back in the basket and put them on the tray.
• Return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

A child is just starting to understand different colors (without names). Conceptually, they won’t understand what color is until around 18 months, but they can group and sort by color before then. Help cultivate this awareness with color-themed treasure baskets and books like Edible Colors: See, Learn, Eat, or My First Colors. Note: both of these books include the names of the colors, but they also put several photographs of real objects on the same page. This allows the child to notice the differences. I skip the name of the color unless asked.

Extensions

Once your child has a good understanding of colors and can easily group them, introduce the name. You can then play a game by saying a color and on/off and having them perform the action. If your child knows these words, you have them tell you what to do.

The post Level 5a Threading: Wooden Discs on Colored Dowels appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

With level 4b, we change the shape of the “bead”. Instead of rings, we now use a 3D cube. This allows the child to refine their grip and further improve hand-eye coordination and grip strength.

Primary Goals

• Refine palmar grasp.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Develop focus and concentration.

Approximate age

12 months

Materials

We have a few options here.

1. For a dedicated material, you can this cube stacker.
2. Use the cubes from level 5b with the base from level 3.
3. DIY it! Grab a set of wooden blocks and drill a 1/3-inch hole in it to fit a previous base. I really like those blocks because 1) they are already painted and therefore more interesting to the child, and 2) you will continue to use them in future activities, such as stacking or counting (though the ones you drill holes into will be less useful.)

Presentation

• Place the cubes in a basket next to the stand on a tray.
• Bring the tray to your child’s work area.
• Wait until your child is looking.
• Pick up a cube using your whole hand.
• Rotate the cube so the hole is at the top
• Carefully place the cube on the dowel.
• Repeat with the remaining cubes.
• One at a time, remove the cubes from the dowel.
• Offer the child a turn and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the cubes back in the basket and put them on the tray.
• Return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

This is the first threading activity with 3D shapes. If your child is having trouble orienting the cubes, give them only that part. Around 11-12 months old, we expect children to stack two blocks. It’s a slightly different skill because stacking involves balance, but it will give them more experience with manipulating the cubes.

Extensions

N/A, go to level 5b.

The post Level 4b Threading: Cubes on a Vertical Dowel appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

This post may contain affiliate links. This simply means that I will earn a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through a link. I would and have recommended all of the products I list even without a link.

Level 4a introduces the first main variation: different-sized rings. If you remember in level 1, I said to hold off on giving all of the rings at once. At that time, we wanted to focus only on putting a ring on the stick. Now, after months of practice, we expect the child to have become very good at that part, so we can introduce a new skill: distinguishing between different sizes.

Primary Goals

• Develop visual discrimination, specifically size gradation.
• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.

Secondary Goals

• Develop focus and concentration.

Approximate age

12 months

Materials

This is the most popular stacker that you’ll see in children’s stores, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a version. When looking for materials in our house, I try to stick with wood because I know it’ll go in his mouth and I find it just feels nicer to hold because of the weight. I choose the Melissa & Doug rainbow stacker. I remove the top ball and we also don’t use the last blue and purple rings because they are too big.

Presentation

• Begin with 3 discs. The largest disc should be smaller than the child’s hand and the other two should be as far apart size-wise as possible.
• Bring the tray to your child’s work area.
• Wait until your child is looking.
• One at a time, take the rings out of the basket and place them randomly on the ground.
• Choose the biggest ring and carefully place it on the dowel.
• Choose the middle ring and carefully place it on the dowel.
• Choose the smallest ring and carefully place it on the dowel.
• Pause and notice the differences in sizes.
• One at a time, remove the rings from the dowel and place them randomly on the ground.
• Offer the child a turn and move aside.
• When the child is done, have them help put the rings back in the basket and put them on the tray.
• Return the tray to the shelf.

Easier variations

If a child becomes interested in the different-sized rings but still struggles with the fine motor skills necessary to put them on the dowel, use the Level 1 rocking stacker with all of the rings. This version of the stacker allows for more leeway while still focusing on size discrimination.

Extensions

We can increase the difficulty of the stacking by decreasing the amount of variation between the rings (choosing rings more similar in width) or by adding more rings. However, throughout these changes, the largest ring should remain smaller than the child’s hand.

The post Level 4a Threading: Ring Stacker with Variable Size appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.

Level 3 introduces the wooden discs we will use in many of the future levels. The discs have narrower centers, which require the child to be more precise when placing them on the dowel.

Primary Goals

• Develop fine motor skills.
• Develop hand-eye coordination.
• Develop pincer grasp.

Secondary Goals

• Develop concentration and problem-solving skills.

Approximate age

11 months, or as soon as the large rings in level 2 become too easy.

Materials

There are a lot of versions of the discs on a vertical dowel, but I like the one from Adena Montessori because of the base and use of basic colors. The base allows us to add in putting the rings back in place, reinforcing the puzzles we are also working on, while the colored discs become fun additions to color-themed treasure baskets we’ll use throughout the next 6 months.

Presentation

• Begin with the discs in their spots on the base.
• Bring the tray to your child’s work area.
• Wait until your child is looking.
• Using the pincer grasp, pick up a ring from the base.
• Look at it and observe the small hole.
• Put it back in its place in the base.
• Pick up another ring from the base.
• Slowly place it on the dowel.
• Take it back off and place it in the base.
• Repeat with multiple discs.
• Once the child shows interest, allow them to take over and move aside.
• Help the child put everything away when they are done.

Easier variations

There aren’t easier versions with this material. Instead, move back to the large rings in Level 2: Large rings on a vertical dowel. If the child still struggles, look for additional discs with holes between the two sizes, such as these 1in wooden rings.

Extensions

You can add language on top of this by saying “on” and “off” as the child adds and removes the rings.

The post Level 3 Threading: Wooden Discs on a Vertical Dowel appeared first on Mommy on the Spectrum.