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Montessori Birthdays hold a special place in my heart. A “Celebration of Life”.
It couldn’t have a more fitting title.
I’m often asked what my recommendations are for gifts that fit with Montessori values. There are many fantastic options out there, so I thought I would offer a unique perspective on gift ideas for the 3 year old. Or rather, Quentin would.
Being a “Montessori from Birth” child, coupled with the fact that he attends an extended day Montessori school 5 days a week, I thought it would be interesting to sit with him in his Montessori Space and see what he could come up with for gift ideas.
Me: “Quentin, what would you give a friend for their Birthday?”
Quentin: “Candy.”
Me: “Yes, but what about something to play with. What are your favourite toys?”
Quentin: “I like my animals and buildings and you have to have a tractor for a farm. Oh! And I like my picture cards and alphabet cuz you can make all the sounds and match them and I know all the sounds and the words and that’s gonna make me read soon.”
Me: “Ok. What about things to play with outside. What do you like to do outside?”
Quentin: “I like to ride my bike cuz it’s fast. I got a new wheelbarrow and my working things for outside and I have real working gloves cuz, yah, sometimes your fingers get dirty and I don’t like that. And you know what Mama? I got rhythm bells too and those are for big boys cuz you have to ring gently or it’s a bad sound but I like them.”
He sort of wandered off after that, but I thought his answers were sufficient.
He came back later and helped me find the images to make the above picture.
Starting at the top left: Bruder Tractor, Bruder Recycling Truck (his upcoming Birthday gift), Rhythm Bells, Early Rider Lite, Schleich animals, Wheelbarrow & Tools
Despite the “toddler-esk” nature of his answers, some interesting things stood out. He likes to play with beautiful, reality based, good quality things. These qualities all fit within Montessori values.
The animals and buildings he’s referring to are his Schleich animals and his Safari Toob Landmarks seen here. Both offer detailed replicas of real world things. Bruder vehicles are built to scale and have moveable parts but, (and here’s the best part) have no sounds, flashing lights or batteries. It’s all the child’s imagination. His bike, wheelbarrow and garden tools (“working things”) allow him to be out and exploring the world, but in a real way. Unlike typical toddler musical instruments, his rhythm bells offer a true to tone sound, allow him creativity with the musical scale and help him practice gentleness.
When I’m looking for a Montessori friendly gift, I look for something well made, reality based and ultimately something that could grow with the child. I also try to “Follow the Child” as best I can. If the child likes art, some good paints and brushes with a nice art pad is always appreciated. There are endless real child sized tools for a budding chef or carpenter at Montessori Services. Most importantly, the gift of something homemade and from the heart can often be the best gift of all.
I came to find him when I had the picture ready to see what he thought.
“But Mama, you forgot to do the candy.”
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
