It feels like these last few months have been the fastest yet! From 18-22 months, Aiden mostly experienced a lot of language growth and development. I’ve observed growth in other areas too, but the sensitive period for language has been the most noticeable. From just a handful of words, his vocabulary expanded into more and more single words and phrases. I think probably because of this, he was really interested in any language-based shelf activities. So, many of the Montessori-inspired activities that were rotated on his shelf were language focused, but he also really enjoyed some art, fine motor, musical, and visual spatial activities. Here’s what was on our Montessori-inspired shelves at around 20-22 months:
Watercolors
Painting is one of Aiden’s favorite activities. We’ve done finger painting and used paint sticks prior to this but hadn’t tried watercolors yet. When I added them to his shelf activities right around 20 months they were an instant favorite. I always include a small cup for water, a paintbrush, paper, and a towel on the tray with his paints. Then, he has everything he needs for prep and clean-up prepared ahead of time. We use this Crayola watercolor set but I’ve also heard great things about the Stockmar set.
Knobbed Cylinders
I originally purchased this mini knobbed cylinders set for Asher last spring. However, he flew through this work quickly and it became clear that it was too easy for him. So, I put them away and just recently brought them back out for Aiden. He’s always enjoyed different types of pegging and fine motor work and is starting to build more visual perception so I thought he might enjoy them. They were a great challenge for him! Not too difficult to get frustrated but not so easy that he would get disinterested. We started with just one set of the cylinders and then added a second set. We’ll continue to work our way up to four sets as long as he is still interested. I love this work for visual motor development!
Farm Book with Animals
This book discovery pairing was also part of Aiden’s Montessori-inspired activities in the past couple of months. This My First Farm Book is Montessori friendly (realistic) and has been one of Aiden’s favorites to read lately. So, to encourage language development I included it in a basket along with some of our farm animal figures. This was such a fun way to continue building vocabulary exposure and he loved playing with the animals of course!
Terra Barn
This barn was the boys’ main joint Christmas present from us. I have admired it for a couple of years after I saw it on Nicole’s blog at The Kavanaugh Report and wondered if it would be a worthwhile purchase. I’m so glad that it has been! Both of the boys play with this daily and Aiden likes to use his basket of farm animals with it to make animal noises and feed the animals in the barn. It has been great for language development and imaginary play that is based in reality. I highly recommend it as a Montessori-friendly toy!
Hat and Mittens
In the Midwest, wearing a warm hat and mittens is almost a daily winter occurrence. In the past couple of months, Aiden has developed a lot of interest in putting his hat and gloves on for himself. Since I noticed him initiating this activity, I put together this practical life work tray for him. The tray includes his winter hat, mittens, and the book Ready for Winter. The book has beautiful collages and is a great read about clothes toddlers put on to get ready for winter weather. Since he has mastered this now, I will probably change out this activity for a new “socks independence” activity since that is his latest interest.
Fruit and Vegetable Matching
This fruit and vegetable matching activity was another Montessori-inspired favorite at 20 months. We had done a version of this around 16 months, but that was more for exposure. Now, since Aiden has been more interested in naming various fruits and vegetables, I thought it would be a good time to cycle back to that work. Cycling is so important and another reason that I love Montessori. Children have the opportunity to cycle back to activities as needed which I really think helps to fully develop so many skills. For this version, we used the fruits and vegetables from the Learning Resources Farmer’s Market set, vegetable cards from The Montessori Company, and fruit cards that I created.
You can get a free download of the fruit cards by heading on over to my subscription page or by using the form below. Signing up will give you access to the free printables library!
Threading
Threading is a popular Montessori-inspired work with so many inspiring DIY ideas available. When Aiden started threading, I presented a simple activity to him with a thick shoelace and a couple of really large wooden beads. At around 21 months, I brought out this threading set as a new challenge. This set includes many beads and a few different strings, so I just set out one string and a handful of the beads. Aiden has enjoyed stringing the beads to make necklaces.
Window Crayons
We also added these Kwik Stix Wonder Stix to our art collection at Christmas time. Aiden uses them to color on paper and do crafts, but his favorite use for them has been on the windows. I designated a few windows in the house that are okay for the boys to color on when we set this activity up. It took a couple of initial reminders, but now Aiden heads straight for those windows. When the crayons are set out as a current activity on his shelves, I also include a cloth. He can wet the cloth in the sink and use it to wipe down the windows when he is done ( I modeled this the first few times). These have been such a fun art addition!
Vehicle Matching
Different types of vehicles have become a specific interest for Aiden in the past few months. So, I brought out this Montessori-inspired matching set that I originally made for Asher when he was two. The activity includes the Safari Ltd. On the Road TOOB set and a set of matching cards that I made. We used this as a Montessori-inspired matching activity with the first two parts of a three period lesson. He had fun mixing the vehicles all up and finding the one I asked him to show me! For a free download of the matching cards, you can sign up for access to the Free Resource Library below and the password for the library will be emailed to you.
Chopping Practice
I honestly try to keep a lot of Montessori practical life skills as real-life as possible. We usually only work on kitchen skills specifically in the kitchen as we prepare real food together. However, as Aiden worked with his chopper in the kitchen I felt like he could use some additional practice with grip. So, I set out this shelf activity for him to have more opportunities for that. I used play dough that we made recently and rolled in out in thick cylinders. I don’t keep the chopper out on the tray regularly; Aiden has to come and ask me for it if he wants to do this work. This activity has given him some great chances to build his motor skills and usage of this chopper.
Button Color Sorting
Aiden was recently really interested in my box of buttons when I had them out for a sewing project. So, I set up this color sorting activity for him to explore. I used our Grimm’s nesting bowls and matching-color buttons from my button box. The first time he chose this activity, I modeled how to set each of the bowls out and then sort the buttons into the bowls based on color. This activity is a great opportunity to build in some fine motor work, color sorting, and vocabulary development while naming colors as they sort.
Birthday Card Stamp Work
This Montessori-inspired activity was added to Aiden’s shelf around 22 months when he started to have more interest in and awareness of birthdays. He knew his birthday was coming up soon (from us talking about it) and would say “Adie’s birthday coming up soon!”. He also started singing the “Happy Birthday” song to anyone and everyone. So, I added this birthday card activity to his shelf. This included rubber birthday stamps, an ink pad, and small folded card stock. Aiden loved making cards that we can give to friends and family as their birthdays arrive!
Well, those were some of the Montessori-inspired activities my little guy loved from around 20-22 months. Shelf activities should be based on toddler’s observed development and interest, but I like sharing because I hope it gives some inspiration and ideas. New two year old activities will be coming soon!
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Laura @ Female Worth says
These are some great activity ideas! Thank you for sharing
Ainsley says
These are amazing ideas! I got the threading for my son, but I want to try the matching sets too!
Stephanie says
These are some great ideas, thank you for sharing!
Anne Marie Barlage says
love your ideas
KMenko says
Thank you! Glad you like them!