Developmental Aids for Opening & Closing

From birth, the child is developing movement—from early reaching to crawling and eventually walking. This progression reflects a growing sense of independence. In Montessori Infant and Toddler environments, the adult prepares an environment that allows for exploration and offers materials that support this development. Opening and closing activities build on this foundation by giving children opportunities to refine hand movements, coordinate both hands together, and act on their environment with increasing control.

Key Skills This Category Supports

- Fine motor control
- Hand-eye coordination
- Bilateral coordination (hands working together)
- Wrist rotation and hand strength
- Pincer grip development
- Independence in daily activities
- Concentration and repetition

What To Look For

- Materials that isolate one movement (twisting, unscrewing, lifting, pulling)
- Items sized appropriately for toddlers
- Simple, functional designs that clearly show how they are used
- Durable materials for consistent classroom use
- Activities that progress in difficulty to support development over time
- Materials that can be easily reset for independent work