3 of Kate Millie's Favourite Montessori Activities (by age)

Kate Millie (M.Ed., AMI 0-6), a well-respected Montessori teacher and owner of Gather Montessori has put together a list of three of her favourite Montessori activities by age.

These are a few of the types of activities she does with parents in her parent-child classes - which I highly recommend if you're in the Dundas, Ontario area!

Activity #1: Bell on a Ribbon

Recommended age: ~3 months

Purpose: To encourage grasping, tracking and intentional movement. It also assists with development of depth perception and elicits auditory feedback.

Setup: Place a large bell, like this one, on a ribbon with an elastic extension and hang it from a mobile stand/baby gym. Place the bell at a distance just high enough that it is within eye sight but far enough that your baby must reach to attempt to bat or grasp the bell. Give your child the time and space to explore.

Activity #2: Peg Box

Recommended age: ~12 - 14 months

Purpose: To develop hand-eye coordination, focus, and pincer grasp.

Setup: Offer a peg box, like this one, or DIY a similar posting activity with straws and a water bottle.

Give your child time to focus and place in peg in each hole. Can begin the tray with 2 pegs and increase pegs as the child develops.

Activity #3: Washing Hands at a Basin

Recommended age: ~15 months, when your child is able to stand and walk independently.

Purpose: This is a fantastic activity to develop confidence, as your child independently performs a task which aids in their self-care. It also helps children to understand that order is important; ie. wetting hands prior to using the soap.

Setup: Provide a low table and bowl with a pitcher of water. Show your child how to fill the basin with water, wet hands, soap hands, rinse hands, dry hands, then empty basin into a pail.

For Montessori Educators and Admins...

Gather has just opened a new round of their Parent-Child Class Facilitator Training program.

This is such an amazing course for Montessori educators, assistants and administrators that have space in their school to run playgroups.

It's a great way to learn how to create meaningful, enriching Montessori playgroup environments that foster connection, independence, and joy for families.

You can find out more about it here: https://gathermontessori.com/parents-programming/parent-child-playgroup-facilitator-training