Handmade Materials for the Infant and Toddler Montessori Environment
“The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.”
--Dr. Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori believed that the hand is the key to intelligence. She also believed that education
begins at birth, with the first three years of life being vital to the developing brain. Through the science of
observation Dr. Maria Montessori was able to use her own hands to create materials to meet the
developmental needs of the children in her classroom. Maria Montessori built upon the foundation of
Itard’s work with the wild boy of Aveyron. She was able to use his ideas of the sensitive periods and the
need for observation to direct the education of the child. From Seguin’s work with the blind, she built upon
his ideas of hands on, step-by-step materials that engage the senses. By providing materials that encourage
manipulation and engage the senses, Dr. Montessori was able to help children create an understanding of
the world in which they live. The prepared environment should be a beautiful and meaningful place for
both the children and the directress. Having materials that are aesthetically pleasing and didactic invite and
entice the avid learner ~ the toddler! Handmade materials bring another level of meaning and beauty. By
using Maria Montessori’s science of observation, handmade learning materials can be created to fit the
needs and interests of a child. Making your own materials for your toddlers creates meaningful connections
between material, child and directress and brings a higher level of joy and pride to the prepared
environment.
When creating your materials for your classroom, please keep in mind Montessori’s framework for
materials:
The work should be child sized
The work should be easy to manipulate
The child should acquire knowledge from the given material
The purpose of the work should compliment the development of the child
The work enhances the learner and/or the skill
The work should have an isolation of stimulus
The work should have a specific purpose designed to meet the child’s sensitive periods
The work has a control of error
The work has a point of interest
The work is aesthetically pleasing
The work is made of natural materials
Montessori materials provide a motivation of activity and are inviting to the children by color, form and
design. They are designed to engage the senses and provide an interesting perceptual experience. You can
use the criteria above to guide you as you make your materials for your classroom. Most importantly, you
must first observe the child to discern what will best meet their developmental needs. Handmade materials
are beautiful, created with care and love, and because they are meaningful to the creator they then become
meaningful to the user.