Montessori Play: What It Is and How Parents Can Incorporate It Into Their Child’s Daily Learning

If you have heard the term ‘Montessori Play’ But Aren’t Sure What it is, read on!

The COVID-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented global shutdown that closed schools for months. For children, parents, carers and educators, re-establishing familiar routines at home and in school is now more vital than ever. 

For our youngest learners, the proportion of their lives spent living in a pandemic is very large and has caused inconsistency in their classroom education for over two years. Because of this disruption, at-home education has become a major focus, resulting in a higher demand for educational toys and supplies. 

What is Montessori Play? 

Montessori Play was created by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, who developed the method over a century ago. The Montessori Method fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth for children and adolescents in all areas of their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Montessori toys don’t move and make sounds on its own; it needs to be physically manipulated by a child.

Jesse Locke, Co-Owner of Fox Wood Co., a sustainable kids play equipment brand that models its products on the Montessori approach, comments:

“During the COVID-19 lockdown, we found there was a great need for quality Australian Made products. A large portion of our product range has been created from items we needed at home for our kids, to help them follow their natural development and independent learning while at home for such an unusual extended period during lockdowns.”

Jess adds, “Our products were designed in line with our belief in active, risky play and the Montessori approach to childhood development. Another big factor in our design process was aesthetics, we wanted to make the products pleasing to the eye in a way that would easily blend both a home and school environment.”

Benefits of Montessori toys

The toy industry is the most plastic-intensive industry in the world and approximately 80% of plastic toys end up in landfills, simply because parents don’t know what else to do once their children have outgrown them. ¹

A Montessori toy is made with natural materials that last for years.  

Wayne Batishall, Director at Fox Wood Co added:

“We’re passionate about creating high quality, Australian made products from locally-sourced and sustainable materials that are good for kids and good for the planet. All our play equipment is made from the highest quality Australian timbers, sustainably grown and sourced right here in Australia.”

A Montessori playroom is a carefully designed environment that encourages independence and concentration. It is a clean, simple playing space with a carefully selected, limited number of age-appropriate toys.

Here’s a list of our favourite products from Fox Wood Co.

The Wild and Free Package

• Price: $779.00

This super versatile play equipment package keeps your little ones entertained and having fun while also learning important developmental skills such as climbing, balance, core strength, coordination and gross motor development.

Includes:

• Large Pikler Climbing Arch (rrp $329)
• Wobble Rocker (rrp $330)
• Slide / Plank (rrp $169)

2. The Serenitoys Arch Block Set – Coloured

• Price: $230.00

Children love to get creative in their playtime, and this set of archway blocks from Serenitoys encourages them to expand their building potential.

3. The Montessori Activity Package in White

• Price: $449.00

Perfect for children to sit down and get creative with drawing, playing with blocks or even reading.

• Montessori Activity Table in White (rrp $239)
• 2 Montessori Weaning Chairs in White (rrp $238)

4. The Rock and Read Combo in White

• Price: $807.00

1 x Bookworm Revolving Bookshelf (RRP $519)

1 x Wobble Rocker (RRP $330)

The Wobble Rocker is designed to help aid a child’s developmental skills with climbing, balance, core strength and coordination. The Wobble Rocker’s unique shape means that no matter how vigorously they may try, it can’t flip over, and the strong Australian grown timber means it will stand the test of time.

It also makes a perfect reading seat, this way they can read and wobble at the same time!

About Fox Wood Co. 

Fox Wood Co. was established in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, after being raced with job loss, long-time friends and parents saw an opportunity in the market for more sustainable toys. They started to think of ways to provide fun, safe and entertainment for their children.

The team includes Wayne, proud dad of an energetic 4-year-old girl and a fully qualified cabinet maker & detailed joiner.

The other half Jess and Mick a husband and wife team with an independent 5-year-old daughter and a very active spirited 3-year-old boy.

References 

1. Green Matters. Plastic Toys Have a Greater Impact on the Environment and Human Health Than We Thought: https://bit.ly/3HOCE9t