Love that you mentioned open ended play with the Montessori materials. It was always so fascinating for me to observe the difference in students between their day time work cycle and their afternoon open ended play cycle. They had access to the same materials + just a couple of open ended toys like the ones you mentioned...but the things they did with these items were so varied! They knew exactly what to do with them to "work" with the materials during the mornings, but really let their imagination take over in the afternoons! I've heard some say that Montessori doesn't allow for enough imagination and creativity and that right there was proof that nothing could be further from the truth!
0:01-6:39 Intro, Definition of open ended materials and differences between open and close ended materials 6:40 Wooden blocks 7:32 Magnetic tiles 8:04 Duplo / Lego blocks 9:14 Play silks 9:49 Animal figurines 10:56 Vehicles 11:43 Dolls 12:49 Sensory building materials 13:28 Arts and crafts supplies 14:30 Sensory bins 15:20 Balls, clothing, stacking blocks
We do starter sets for those very reasons. As he has gotten older & wants bigger buildings/towers whatever it’s always an easy way to ask for birthday/Christmas gifts. Being able to say “he really loves these & would love an add on set” helps prevent the electronic toys that we don’t want bought.
I used to do the same thing. When I was about five, I saved up $100 to buy myself a Fisher Price Dollhouse. For my Birthday, I wanted accessories and materials for my new dollhouse. Even now, I try to do the same thing when I give gifts to kids. In addition to giving books, I like to add onto existing collections/toys. Maybe I'll gift the Magnatiles Car expansion set or a set of animal figurines the child doesn't have (especially if they have a collection of different Safari Ltd figurines). Maybe it's something as simple as noticing that they have a "mommy and baby" cow, sheep, and goat, but no baby pig with their farm animals, or seeing that they have a male lion figurine, but no female lionness in their wild animal collection.
This was an amazing video. I always see people stressing about not using creative play or encouraging imagination because it is not a Montessori approach. I appreciate you saying that your home is not a classroom. I loved the list and I can’t wait to show it to my partner.
With using things for their unintended purpose, i would use a stepping stool as a desk when i was little, it was one of those stepping stools that transforms into a chair, id sit on the first step and use the top to draw.
Hamleys store has a wide range of collections. I visited physically in Bangalore. Also they're online, can also buy them on Amazon. But I dunno the quality check of the items
Your videos are so inspiring to me! Can you please do a video on how to address whining/sibling fighting? I gave a boy and a girl and we struggle with them playing together and irritating each other so much.
If your wanting to buy a lot of these items look elsewhere then Amazon. Montessori\ Waldorf toys are sold at an extreme premium. Example grimm’s rainbow is 209$ on Amazon verses most small companies sell it for 69$-98$. Also Montessori classroom items are very expensive on Amazon, the cheaper options on Amazon can work but many times are missing important details and are very tiny. Making it unsafe around the younger age range they should be introduced. Just a heads up
My daughter loves pretending the climbing frame is an ice cream shop. Do you have toy libraries where you live, Ashley? Our toy library has a great selection of open-ended toys ❤️
Please do video to introduce alphabet and writing .ur thougjts and idea acckrding to montessori.i know already some r there.pls do updated version if possible
That’s a great list! Definitely adding some to my list for the future/birthday ideas. Couple things: do you have another suggestion for wood blocks? I have a plastic set that was a present but really wanna switch to wood, however the one on your list is pretty pricy for us ($90?). And the metal insert link is not working, do you have another link?
It's 2021 and, when I click the link for cars and trucks, the listings say 'for boys'. [Insert big eye roll.] When are sellers (the world) going to catch up?
@@phoebehope6549 My little girl is dirty blonde with big blue eyes. She looks amazing in blue so her stroller, blankie and 80% of her clothes are blue. And she has dinosaur outfits (from the official boy section). Only her pacifier clip happens to be pink. Everyone is always so confused. “But the stroller is blue. Why did you get a girl a blue stroller?” Why do girls have to be wrapped in pink, hearts and unicorns?
@@sarahrosen4985 her coat is yellow, and people always think it's a boy's coat 🤷♀️ Since when is yellow only for boys? So strange. It is literally "not head to toe in pink? Must be a boy" ha
@@phoebehope6549 Princess Awesome is a great company. They make clothes for girls (dresses, etc), but with things like superheroes, trucks, dinosaurs, etc.- designs you'd typically find in the Boy's Section. There's also Boy Wonder which lets you get more traditional "girl" designs (rainbows, hearts, butterflies) on clothing for boys. And there's also Primary which has a lot of basics: shirts, dresses, onesies, footie pajamas, leggings for children of all ages in different colors and simple patterns (solids, stripes, polka dots, maybe some hearts and stars.)
@@phoebehope6549 It's ridiculous. And I can think of several reasons why someone might want their daughter to have a blue stroller.... like preferring the color blue, finding it on sale, it being a hand-me-down, or because blue is still more "gender-neutral" than pink in many circles. (People are more accepting of a girl dressed in blue than a boy dressed in pink. Personally, as long as the child is dressed, I consider it a win).
What’s your advice if I am going to introduce these open ended toys to my 2 year old? If it’s the first time should I show her one at a time? And do I play with her once to show her or do I just lay them out and give her free reign?
I have all these things for my children and more but my 2 almost 3 year old still won’t really engage longer than 10 minutes. I hope this will increase soon.
Is there an alternative play silk for those if us on a budget? The ones I looked at were 16 for one piece. I would need about four and that gets pricey. Could I do the same concept with a cheaper material or receiving blankets or the like?
Thank you for the video! Do the girls ask you to draw for them? Mine always does but I don't want him to think my way is the right way of drawing something... Any tips?
When I worked in the 3-6 yo class, the kiddos ALWAYS asked us to draw for them in theafternoons. We would often have them join us, or other times they would want the beginning of a drawing to add on to (a bird that they can draw a forest for, for example). Like Megan said, copying is one of the methods of learning to draw. Modeling is an important aspect of Montessori. On a way, you are modeling the different drawing techniques as well for them. If you are worried about them assuming only your way is correct, introduce to them other drawings of the same item. So if you drew a bird, also show them other drawings and paintings of birds, so they can see how many various options there are, and they may draw inspiration from all of them 😄
Thank you, Ashley! This video was so timely for me. I am on the search for some great open ended toys. Can you redo the shape insert link? I’m not sure it is working. This is also a what’s hapa ing question but I would love to see some wedding photos! It is fun to learn about you and mike!
Bummer, it looks like the specific ones that we own of the metal insets are sold out and Amazon has taken down the listing entirely for some reason. They are sold by the brand Amazing Child Montessori and are very budget-friendly (perhaps why they’re sold out). I did find this other version, although I can’t speak to their quality since I’ve never purchased them: amzn.to/3pOdKhi
Typically the shelf is for presenting the actual Montessori materials that the child is working with to master a skill at that time, and these items might be stored in a different cabinet, or a different shelf nearby, just to separate the two. But if you're limited on space, putting them on the shelf isn't going to hurt anyone really👍
I think kylie was due to start a nursery but the covid situation changed Ashley's mind so they're homeschooling for now. Like the rest if us. In uk our kids can return to school on 8th March.
@@anneslovingtodiy7512 Oh I see. I appreciate your reply. I was concerned to start a specific method and then have it changed or affected by the school. I'm in US and there is a lot of bullied kids in our schools and so much more that I feel is not addressed properly many time (I know the problems are in many other places and not just here). Pandemic has hit hard sadly.
Water beads can be very hazardous and imo should not be considered a toy. Several children have died and been irreperably injured after ingesting them.
Nice channel but everything is wrong with your sleep training and you must learn about Dr. Gabor Maté and erase those vídeos, we must NEVER let our kids cry
I used to wear scarves to work as an accessory. Now that I don't go into an office, my daughter plays with them constantly! They are a variety of size, shape, color and texture.
Ashley i have been watching your videos for quite sometime now my baby is 15months old. I just wanted to write a comment after watching this video, you are really one of the best content creator out here in youtube. Its full of much valuable information and your way of explaining things, your usage of vocabulary and simplicity of presenting the content is absolutely amazing. I hope you reach millions and millions of subscribers because you totally deserve it. Thanks all the algorithms that brought me to your channel. Im from the other side of the world, Istanbul and watching your videos during toilet breaks, sleep times etc, was a blast. Thank you again. Keep up what youre doing! Hugs to all of your family❤️❤️❤️
It was a good point you raised about the home not being a classroom. Some Good ideas. Though I'd love some ideas for older kids though I know you're not at that stage yet!
Mia nursing her baby is so adorable! 😍 My son puts his toy baby on my chest: the baby on one breast and he on the other... 🤭 I am doing tandem breastfeeding without knowing it! 😂😂😂
Yes! Blocks, vehicles, trains, and balls make up about 80% of our play (2 under 3 here) 🧸 There's so much pressure on parents to buy the latest "educational" flashy toys, when the simplest things have the biggest impact 💚 Thank you for sharing x x x
I was so glad to see I actually own most of the items you mentioned(whoohoo, saving$) thank you for another great video and explaining the meaning and use of toys.
This is really helpful. My daughter is almost 16 months and I am trying to make sure that we give her the tools to engage in all areas of growth. Thanks for sharing this list
Thanks a lot, so helpful! My problem with the whole idea of putting toys out open on shelves/ wherever and putting others away is that I don't have space for really putting bigger things away...
Hi Ashley! I just recently discovered your channel and have quickly become consumed with all the great things Montessori has to offer. My husband and I are revamping our play room! Thank you for the work you’ve done to make this easier for other parents to learn when time is so limited. Quick question! Would you put these open ended toys on the shelf as an activity or is this something that you would place somewhere else in the playroom and rotate as needed?
I usually place them elsewhere, little baskets, tucked in corners, just wherever I find a place. But I don’t see why you couldn’t put them on your child’s shelf, too. ;)
Hello Ashley! I am a huge fan of your channel. I wanted to ask you if have any favorite books that you can recommend about at home Montessori? It will be super helpful.
Please mention the hazards of water beads. A parent may buy for an older kid and younger kid can accidentally swallow a simple bead, the situation is life threatening. People should know about the plus and minus. Especially for choking hazardous items like kinetic sand or water beads. Others may google the plus and hazards before you buy anything for the kid.
Considering purchasing a Yoto player for my 26 month old and 3 year old and just wondering if anyone else has one and if there are enough recommendations of montessori friendly cards?? Anyone? Recommendations before I purchase please? 🙏
I have some magnetic tiles but they are very frustrating, I think I need to replace them with this kind as the one we have a very easy to fall over and my 4 year old gets so mad when she’s spent so long on a project and it falls apart but yours look much more study. Also need to get some silks.
I also bought magnetic tiles that are all wibbly wobbly and don't stand up. Really frustrating - even for the adults who are trying to play with them for noooo other reason than to help the 19 month old learn, even when she's sleeping. ;-)
That is completely fine-as Ashley said, the Montessori activities can also be used as open ended toys. In our Montessori class, the kids had access to all the same activities in their afternoon open ended play time, plus a couple of the open ended items like the ones Ashley mentioned. The most mesmerizing part for me was observing children who were intently stacking a pink tower or aligning brown stairs just earlier that morning during their work cycle, suddenly use the same material to build a bridge for their train tracks to pass under! When in doubt, remember the golden rule-Follow the Child 😊
Thank you 🙏 Ashley for taking time to share the recordings of your daughters for us to visualize how they use their materials. Where are the small rugs from? Where are the road tracks from? Black and white Where is the baby doll stroller from? Question to anybody who can answer this please: I’m trying to budget a bit here... Does anyone else recommend leapbuilders blues clues jumbo blocks?
My kids do mostly open ended play at home. Also with their activities. Lacing beads are used to bake cookies for example. I think it's also because both go to a Montessori (pre)school (when the schools are open that is😆). They do Montessori work during the day and they just want to play and process their day once they are home. Which I think the home is for! So I've decided to stop buy or DIY Montessori activities. Follow the child! 🤗
Hi Ashley, Thank you so much for sharing all the tips and experiences you have with Montessori and raising your kids. They are beautiful and well taught. I love your channel and watch them almost everyday and I learn so much from watching them. Do you mind I ask what is the brand of the African doll you have. I’m in Australia and I click into the link you share but it didn’t show specific one , but sent me to Amazon in general. I love how soft looking the doll is. Appreciate your help :)
I am keen to know what your thoughts/the Montessori philosophy is on music/singing and musical instruments, ie: to what kinds of music do your kids listen and when, how are they encouraged to engage with it, and do you have musical instruments for your girls to play with? Also, is learning a specific instrument (piano, guitar etc) something that is on your future 'wish list' for your girls?
I'm a little confused. So in closed ended activities is it encouraged for parents to model how to do the activity...like stacking the tower blocks in order or putting the coins in the slot? I remember a video I watched in the past saying you shouldn't tell them actually what to do and let them figure it out so you aren't taking away from their success. What am I missing? Love your videos by the way!💜
Can already tell I'm gonna struggle with wanting to buy Everything for my baby (toys, clothes, activities) etc. Have to find a way to reign it in for the sake of my wallet and home space! (And them!) 😅
do you ever have conversations with your daughters about what they did that day? like just to review how their day was and such (even if you were there the whole time)
Hi Ashley, thanks for this really informative video. The Schleich animals you mentioned have a recommended age of 36 months plus. Do you feel these would be safe for my 14 month old to play with, under supervision, or are there small parts he could choke on? Thank you 😊
Same, my two year old plays with them. I would say that there a couple smaller ones like bunnies I would wait until a choking hazard is past, but the bigger ones are safe for younger kids.
