Montessori Materials List Explained: A Comprehensive Guide for Preschool & Daycare

Setting up a Montessori classroom can be overwhelming. What are Montessori materials, and what should a Montessori environment include for preschools and daycares? Which materials are required, which are optional, and which are appropriate for different age groups? How do you determine a Montessori materials list that adheres to Montessori principles and benefits your child?

This guide provides clarity with a fully explained, well-structured Montessori Materials List explicitly tailored for preschool and daycare institutions. Montessori materials aren’t random tools—they are scientifically designed to isolate specific learning concepts, promote self-correction, and foster independent exploration. In the following sections, you’ll find categorized lists covering math, language, sensorial, practical life, and cultural materials—each described with purpose, usage, and ideal age range.

Whether launching a new Montessori program or upgrading an existing one, this guide is your go-to resource. We’ll walk you through Montessori materials and share practical usage tips and their educational value. Ready to create a learning environment that truly empowers young minds? Let’s discover the Montessori Materials List every preschool and daycare should know.

What are Montessori Materials?

Montessori materials are purpose-built educational tools designed to align with the principles of the Montessori method, encouraging independence, exploration, and active learning. Developed by マリア・モンテッソーリ博士, these materials are central to the Montessori classroom, serving as the primary medium through which children interact with abstract concepts in a concrete and meaningful way.

At their essence, モンテッソーリ教材 are not just teaching aids—they are learning experiences crafted to match the developmental stages of young children. Each item is carefully structured to isolate a specific concept or skill, such as quantity, phonetic sounds, or sensory refinement, and to present it in a way that children can physically manipulate and explore.

They are typically made from natural materials like wood, metal, and glass, chosen for their sensory richness and durability. The tactile quality of these materials enhances the learning experience, allowing children to engage multiple senses as they work. The materials are also visually appealing—often minimalistic and orderly—to promote focus, self-discipline, and a sense of calm in the learning environment.

Characteristics of Montessori Materials

Montessori materials are not ordinary classroom tools. They possess unique features that distinguish them from typical educational resources:

• Purpose-Driven Design: Each material teaches one skill or concept at a time, encouraging focused learning.
• Self-Correcting Elements: Built-in feedback allows children to identify and correct their own mistakes without adult intervention.
• Hands-On Engagement: Designed to be manipulated physically, they support kinesthetic learning and enhance sensory integration.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Crafted from natural materials like wood, these tools are beautiful, inviting, and simple in design.
• Order and Structure: They are presented in a specific sequence, gradually increasing complexity to match the child’s developmental readiness.
• 自立を促す: Their use cultivates autonomy, self-discipline, and a sense of achievement.

モンテッソーリ教材の種類

• モンテッソーリ算数教材
• Montessori Language Materials
• Montessori Sensorial Materials
• モンテッソーリ実践生活教材
• Montessori Art and Music Materials
• Montessori Biology Materials
• Montessori Geography & Cultural Materials

Understanding the Montessori Philosophy Behind Material Selection

その Montessori philosophy is built on the belief that children are naturally driven to learn and thrive when given the freedom to explore within a well-prepared environment. Dr. Maria Montessori emphasized that education should support the full development of the child—physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. At the center of this philosophy is respect for the child as an individual, acknowledging their unique rhythm of growth and intrinsic motivation. Children are not passive recipients of knowledge, but active participants in their development, capable of deep focus and meaningful discovery when supported appropriately.

Why Montessori Materials Matter?

モンテッソーリ教材 play a pivotal role in shaping how children experience learning. These uniquely designed tools are educational resources and catalysts for cognitive, emotional, and social development. Grounded in developmental psychology and Montessori philosophy, they serve as essential instruments for fostering lifelong skills. Here are several key benefits of Montessori materials:

能動的な学習を奨励する

Unlike passive forms of instruction, where children simply receive information, Montessori materials invite children to learn by doing. Whether stacking blocks, tracing letters, or pouring water, these tools require movement, decision-making, and personal involvement. This active participation leads to deeper comprehension and stronger memory retention because children are fully mentally and physically engaged in the learning process.

Promote Independence

A central goal of Montessori education is to help children become self-sufficient thinkers and problem solvers. Montessori materials are self-correcting, guiding the child toward the correct answer without adult intervention. This nurtures independence from a young age, as children learn to trust their judgment, assess their work, and take pride in solving problems independently.

Build Concentration

The simplicity, order, and hands-on design of Montessori materials naturally promote focus and concentration. Children become absorbed in their work because the materials are challenging and satisfying. Repetitive engagement, such as pouring from one vessel to another or arranging beads in a sequence, reinforces attention span and mindfulness skills critical for success throughout life.

Support Developmental Stages

Each material is crafted to align with a specific phase of child development, from sensory exploration in toddlers to abstract reasoning in older children. This precise alignment ensures learning happens when the child is most ready and receptive, maximizing cognitive growth without forcing progression. The sequence of materials respects and mirrors the natural rhythm of development.

Encourage Intrinsic Motivation

Children using Montessori materials often experience a sense of joy and satisfaction from completing a task well. Because the focus is on exploration, not rewards or competition, children are motivated by their own progress and discovery. This cultivates a love of learning that is internally driven rather than externally imposed.

Develop Fine Motor Skills

Practical life and sensorial materials often require precise hand movements, like using tongs, pouring water, or threading beads. These actions refine a child’s fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity. These foundational physical skills support later tasks like writing, drawing, and even typing, giving children a physical and academic advantage.

How Do Montessori Materials Work?

モンテッソーリ教材 are carefully designed to create an intuitive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning experience. These tools aren’t passive—they guide children through a process of exploration, discovery, and mastery. Their work is rooted in specific educational strategies that align with how young minds learn best.

Hands-On Learning

Montessori materials are inherently tactile. Children don’t just observe—they touch, feel, move, pour, and build. This physical interaction strengthens cognitive development and helps them form strong mental connections. Hands-on engagement makes abstract ideas tangible, whether using sandpaper letters to learn phonics or number rods to grasp quantity.

Control of Error

Montessori materials include built-in feedback loops, allowing children to recognize and correct mistakes independently. This could be as simple as a puzzle piece not fitting or a bead count not aligning. By relying on the material rather than the teacher for validation, children become independent problem-solvers and gain confidence in their abilities.

Progression Order

Materials are introduced in a carefully structured sequence, moving from concrete to abstract and simple to complex. For example, a child starts with sensorial materials like color tablets, then gradually transitions to geometry and measurement tools. This orderly progression matches the child’s cognitive development and reinforces prior learning.

One Skill at a Time

Each material is intentionally designed to isolate a single concept. This isolation of difficulty allows the child to focus entirely on one skill at a time—understanding size, differentiating sound, or mastering a math operation. This prevents cognitive overload and enhances mastery.

Auto-Instructional

Montessori materials support self-directed learning. Children choose the work that interests them, and the material “teaches” through design and interaction. Teachers act as guides, not instructors, allowing children to progress at their own pace, repeat tasks for mastery, and build self-discipline organically.

Multi-Sensory Engagement

Montessori materials appeal to multiple senses—sight, touch, sound, and movement. For instance, children match textures, identify sounds from bells, or feel the weight of different objects. This multi-sensory approach supports various learning styles and strengthens memory retention.

Repetition and Mastery

Children are encouraged to return to activities as many times as they wish. This repetition with purpose helps consolidate learning and fosters a natural rhythm of practice, reflection, and mastery. Materials are attractive, durable, and satisfying, making repetition joyful rather monotonous.

Freedom Within Structure

Montessori environments are structured, but they provide freedom of choice. Children independently select materials within defined boundaries. This balance of autonomy and structure nurtures executive functioning, decision-making, and internal discipline—skills essential for life beyond the classroom.

Montessori Math Materials List

名称	説明	目的
Number Rods	Red and blue rods of varying lengths from 1 to 10 units	Teach number quantity, counting, and numerical order
Sandpaper Numerals	Rough-textured numbers 0–9 on boards	Develop tactile recognition of numerals and writing preparation
Spindle Boxes	Wooden compartments with spindles	Teach the concept of zero and one-to-one correspondence
Cards and Counters	Numerals with red counters	Reinforce odd and even numbers and quantity association
Golden Beads	Beads grouped in units, tens, hundreds, thousands	Introduce the decimal system and place value
Stamp Game	Color-coded wooden tiles representing units, tens, hundreds, thousands	Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Bead Chains	Chains with beads grouped in numeric sequences	Teach skip counting and squaring/cubing concepts
Addition & Subtraction Boards	Boards with number grids and markers	Practice basic operations through repetition and self-correction
Decimal System Cards	Cards showing unit, ten, hundred, thousand numbers	Build place value recognition and number formation

Choose Montessori Math Materials by Age

Infant and Toddler (1–3 Years)

At this stage, formal math instruction is not introduced. Instead, toddlers engage in indirect math preparation through Practical Life and Sensorial activities that build order, pattern recognition, and an early understanding of quantity and sequence.

• Object Permanence Boxes: Infants drop a ball or object into a box and watch it reappear, helping them understand cause and effect and build early cognitive structure—key precursors to logical and mathematical thinking.
• Stacking Rings and Simple Sorting Toys: Though not direct math tools, these materials support early recognition of size, order, and sequence, foundational for quantity and comparison.

Early Childhood (3–6 Years)

This is a sensitive period for foundational mathematical learning. Children explore quantity, symbols, place value, and basic operations through concrete, hands-on materials.

• Number Rods: Children use rods of increasing length (1–10) to physically experience quantity and numerical order physically, developing early concepts of counting and comparison.
• Sandpaper Numerals: Children trace textured numbers while saying their names, reinforcing symbol recognition through multisensory input.
• Spindle Boxes: Children place spindles into compartments labeled 0–9, reinforcing one-to-one correspondence and introducing the concept of zero.
• Cards and Counters: Children match number cards to red counters to practice counting, identifying quantities, and distinguishing odd and even numbers.
• Golden Beads: Children physically manipulate beads to represent units, tens, hundreds, and thousands, providing a concrete foundation for understanding the decimal system and place value.
• Decimal System Cards: These color-coded cards represent numbers from 1 to 9000, helping children read, build, and understand large numbers in hierarchical order.

Lower Elementary (6–9 Years)

Children begin to shift from concrete to abstract mathematical thinking. They practice operations, develop number sense, and apply logical reasoning through a mix of hands-on tools and mental computation.

• Stamp Game: Children use colored tiles to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division while being aware of place value, bridging hands-on and abstract understanding.
• Bead Chains: These linear bead arrangements help children practice skip counting and visualize multiplication, squaring, and cubing.
• Multiplication Board: Children use this board to build multiplication tables and gain fluency through tactile and visual learning.
• Division Board: Children distribute beads among skittles to explore how numbers divide, reinforcing the concept of sharing and division operations.

Upper Elementary (9–12 Years)

Math has become increasingly abstract, and Montessori materials now support exploring complex operations, fractions, geometry, and early algebra.

• Fraction Circles: Children use color-coded circle pieces to compare, add, subtract, and understand equivalent fractions, paving the way for abstract fraction operations.
• Binomial Cube: Initially a sensorial puzzle, this material later reveals the algebraic formula (a + b)² through its color-coded structure and arrangement.
• Trinomial Cube: Building on the Binomial Cube, it visually and physically represents the expansion of (a + b + c)³, offering a tangible introduction to algebraic thinking.
• Geometric Stick Material: This tool enables children to construct and study angles, triangles, polygons, and circles precisely, supporting geometric reasoning and formal measurement.

Montessori Language Materials List

名称	説明	目的
Sandpaper Letters	Rough-textured lowercase and uppercase letters	Develop phonetic awareness and letter formation
Moveable Alphabet	Set of individual letters for word-building	Encourage spelling, reading, and creative expression
Object Boxes	Boxes with small objects and matching labels	Build vocabulary and early reading through object-to-word matching
Phonetic Word Cards	Cards with phonetic words and matching pictures	Reinforce decoding and phonetic reading
Grammar Symbols	Geometric shapes representing parts of speech	Teach grammar structure and sentence analysis
Metal Insets	Metal shapes used for tracing and design	Strengthen fine motor skills and pencil control
Reading Classification Cards	Sets of images and labels organized by theme	Support reading fluency and vocabulary categorization
Sentence Strips	Strips with full sentences for reading practice	Improve comprehension and sequencing skills

Choose Montessori Language Materials by Age

Infant (0–1 Year)

Formal language materials are not introduced at this stage. However, a language-rich environment and real objects with names lay the foundation for later language work.

• High-Contrast Image Cards: While not language materials per se, these visual tools support early symbol recognition and attention focus.
• Real Object Sets with Labels: Infants begin forming mental connections between sounds and physical items—essential for future object-to-word association.

Toddler (1–3 Years)

Language development accelerates dramatically. At this stage, モンテッソーリ教室 introduce real-world vocabulary using tactile, visual, and auditory materials.

• Object-Picture Matching Cards: Laminated cards paired with real objects strengthen visual recognition and vocabulary development.
• Nomenclature Cards (3-Part Cards – Images Only): Simple picture cards introduce matching and visual literacy, preparing for full three-part card use in the next stage.

Early Childhood (3–6 Years)

This is the key period for formal language acquisition in Montessori. Materials move from phonemic awareness to symbolic expression and early reading/writing.

• Sandpaper Letters: Core phonics material. Children trace letters while saying the corresponding phonetic sound, connecting sound, shape, and movement.
• Moveable Alphabet: A tactile alphabet set (often cursive) allows children to compose phonetic words before they can write, enabling early spelling and reading construction.
• Object Boxes: Containers of miniature items corresponding to phonetic words, used to support sound blending and object-word association.
• Phonetic Reading Cards: Simple word cards used after sound mastery, allowing children to decode and read using the phonics foundation.
• Phonogram Cards and Booklets: Introduced later in this cycle, these materials help children learn digraphs (e.g., “sh,” “ch”) and more complex sound combinations.
• Metal Insets: While not a reading tool, this material supports pencil control and preparation for handwriting.
• Three-Part Cards (Nomenclature Cards): Children begin working with complete three-part sets—picture, label, and control card—to develop reading fluency and classification skills.

Lower Elementary (6–9 Years)

Now, fluent readers, children use language materials to explore grammar, syntax, word study, and written expression.

• Grammar Symbols: Physical symbols represent parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.), helping children visually analyze sentence components.
• Grammar Boxes: Contain word cards organized by parts of speech and complexity level; used to build and analyze sentences using Montessori grammar logic.
• Word Study Materials: Materials for exploring compound words, homonyms, antonyms, synonyms, and prefix/suffix work.
• Sentence Analysis Arrows and Charts: These help children identify subjects, predicates, modifiers, and understand sentence structure with increasing complexity.
• Advanced Three-Part Cards: Used in cultural subjects (e.g., botany, geography) but reinforce reading accuracy, spelling, and vocabulary development.

Upper Elementary (9–12 Years)

Language materials now support higher-level writing, research, and advanced grammatical analysis.

• Advanced Grammar Charts and Cards: Children use diagrammatic and symbolic Montessori tools to analyze compound and complex sentence structures.
• Etymology Boxes: Used for exploring word origins, affixes, and root word systems, especially in preparation for formal research and academic writing.
• Research Card Sets and Report Forms: Structured tools for note-taking, outlining, and report organization across subjects, integrating reading and writing with other disciplines.
• Creative Writing Cards and Story Starters: Optional materials that encourage style exploration and storytelling while building composition skills.

Montessori Sensorial Materials List

名称	説明	目的
Pink Tower	10 pink wooden cubes from large to small	Develop visual discrimination of size and spatial awareness
Knobbed Cylinders	Cylinders that fit into corresponding sockets	Refine fine motor control and visual perception
Brown Stair	10 prisms of equal length with increasing height	Teach weight, dimension, and gradation
Color Tablets	Sets of tablets in varying shades and colors	Enhance color recognition and visual discrimination
Sound Boxes	Pairs of boxes with varying sound levels	Develop auditory discrimination
Smelling Bottles	Bottles with distinct scents	Stimulate the olfactory sense and matching skills
Rough and Smooth Boards	Boards with textured surfaces	Train tactile sense and texture recognition
Geometric Solids	3D shapes, including spheres, cubes, and pyramids	Introduce geometry concepts and stereognostic sense
Baric Tablets	Wooden tablets of different weights	Train perception of weight using the tactile sense

Montessori Sensorial Materials by Age

Infant (0–1 Year)

During this stage, infants absorb sensory information through passive experience. While formal Sensory materials have not yet been introduced, carefully chosen items help stimulate their sensory systems.

• High-Contrast Mobiles: Designed to stimulate early visual tracking and contrast detection, supporting the infant’s developing vision.
• Texture Balls: These soft, varied-surface toys promote tactile exploration, introducing the baby to texture differentiation through touch.
• Simple Sound Shakers: Gentle rattles with varying tones awaken auditory awareness and basic sound discrimination.

Toddler (1–3 Years)

Toddlers are in the beginning stage of conscious sensory classification. Materials should support matching, comparing, and naming sensory impressions.

• Texture Boards: Used to compare smooth and rough surfaces, these boards support early tactile discrimination and vocabulary like “rough” or “soft.”
• Sound Cylinders (Simplified): Introduce auditory matching with visibly colored cylinders, allowing toddlers to pair and eventually grade sounds.
• Large Knobbed Cylinders: Toddlers begin visual size comparison through removing and replacing cylinders, promoting depth perception and hand-eye coordination.
• Color Tablets (Box 1): Simple pairs of primary colors help toddlers match and name basic visual stimuli, laying the groundwork for visual grading.

Early Childhood (3–6 Years)

This is the prime developmental window for refining all five senses. Montessori materials isolate each sense to allow focused training and building sensorial intelligence.

• Pink Tower: Trains visual perception of size (dimension in three axes). Children stack cubes in decreasing size to internalize spatial gradation.
• Brown Stair: Develops the visual sense of width (thickness) with prisms of equal length but increasing cross-section.
• Knobbed Cylinders: These refine visual and tactile discrimination by isolating differences in diameter and height. They also support muscular memory and hand precision.
• Color Tablets (Boxes 1–3): Children match and then grade tablets by hue, shade, and intensity—building nuanced visual color perception.
• Sound Boxes: Enhance auditory sense by matching pairs of cylinders that make subtly different sounds. Advanced use involves grading the intensity of sound.
• Smelling Bottles: Train the olfactory sense by requiring children to match identical smells, helping them differentiate and name scents.
• Thermic Tablets: Made of different materials, these tablets train the thermal sense by having children identify varying temperatures through hand contact.
• Rough and Smooth Boards: Compare surfaces of different textures, from very coarse to very fine, to strengthen tactile awareness.
• Baric Tablets: Children discriminate differences in weight using visually identical tablets made of different materials, refining the baric (weight) sense.
• Geometric Solids: While they support geometry later, their sensorial function is to build stereognostic perception—recognizing forms by touch and rotation.
• Constructive Triangles: Enhance visual discrimination of geometric relationships, helping children analyze how shapes form larger structures.

Lower Elementary (6–9 Years)

While children at this stage no longer focus on pure sensorial training, they continue to apply their refined senses in academic contexts, especially geometry and scientific inquiry.

• Geometric Solids: Used now to explore geometric language and properties such as edges, faces, and vertices, building on early tactile and visual form recognition.
• Constructive Triangles: Help children study equivalence, congruence, and shape transformation—visual patterning remains a key skill.
• Fraction Insets: Although categorized under math, these support continued visual-spatial division and proportion recognition, deeply linked to sensorial preparation.

Upper Elementary (9–12 Years)

Children now apply previously developed sensory refinement to abstract thinking and advanced academic disciplines.

• Geometric Stick Material: Supports precision in angle measurement and visual analysis of shape relationships, reflecting mature use of refined visual and spatial judgment.
• Binomial and Trinomial Cubes: Though used for algebraic illustration, they still use the visual and tactile senses to analyze spatial part-whole relationships.

Montessori Practical Life Materials List

名称	説明	目的
Pouring Jugs	Small pitchers with grains or water	Teach coordination, hand control, and care of the environment
Spooning Activities	Transferring dry beans or small items using a spoon	Develop concentration and hand steadiness
Tweezing Trays	Using tweezers to move objects	Refine pincer grip and precision
ドレッシングフレーム	Wooden frames with buttons, zippers, and laces	Build independence in dressing and fine motor control
Sweeping Tools	Child-sized brooms and dustpans	Instill responsibility and motor sequencing
Watering Plants	Small watering cans for classroom plants	Encourage care for living things and routine work
Washing Dishes	Setups for washing real plates or cups	Build multi-step process skills and responsibility
Polishing Activities	Cloths and tools for polishing wood, glass, or metal	Promote order, discipline, and muscle memory

Choose Montessori Practical Life Materials by Age

Infant (0-1 Years)

In Montessori education, infants do not work with structured Practical Life materials. This is because they are still developing basic control of movement, and their learning happens through sensory experience and observation, not direct task completion.

Practical Life for infants is about freedom of movement, observation, and exposure to real-world routines. Rather than using tools, infants benefit from a prepared environment that supports movement, exploration, and participation in real routines.

• Montessori Low Mirror with Pull-Up Bar: A fixed mirror at floor level encourages infants to observe themselves, track motion, and begin pulling up, developing body awareness and gross motor strength.
• Natural objects for tactile exploration: Soft cloths, wooden rings, and safe household items promote sensory interaction.
• Observation of real routines: Infants watch caregivers engage in feeding, dressing, and cleaning, building familiarity with everyday human activity.

Toddler (1–3 Years)

At this level, materials are simplified in both process and form, introducing foundational Practical Life skills with real but accessible tools.

• Pouring Jugs: Small ceramic or glass jugs are used for dry pouring activities; children practice wrist rotation, control, and bilateral hand use.
• Spooning Trays: Trays with two bowls and a spoon, used to transfer grains or beans and promote accuracy and concentration.
• Tweezing Sets: Wooden trays with tweezers and small beads or pompoms for developing the pincer grasp and eye-hand coordination.
• Dressing Frames (Velcro, Large Buttons): The first dressing frames presented, isolating one movement pattern at a time to support dressing independence.

Early Childhood (3–6 Years)

This is the key stage for Practical Life work in Montessori. Materials are designed to break down complex life skills into precise, repeatable tasks.

• Full Dressing Frame Set: Includes zippers, snaps, buckles, laces, and buttons. Each frame isolates one closure type for focused motor practice.
• Polishing Sets: Materials for polishing wood, metal, or glass are arranged on trays with small bowls, cloths, and polish. These sets teach sequencing, control, and aesthetic care.
• Pouring and Spooning Progressions: A full series using dry-to-liquid and light-to-heavy materials. Includes pitchers, funnels, ladles, and small cups.
• Table Washing Set: A complete multi-step activity for scrubbing and rinsing tables, reinforcing memory sequencing, order, and purposeful movement.
• Cloth Folding Materials: Pre-folded cloths marked with lines or creases help children develop folding precision, symmetry, and practical order.

Lower Elementary (6–9 Years)

While Practical Life is not a primary focus here, certain core materials are reintroduced for community tasks and independent care.

• Sewing Frames or Cards: Pre-punched cards or fabric squares used to introduce basic stitching, patterning, and hand control.
• Ironing Set (child-sized): Used under supervision for real ironing of napkins or aprons, promoting precision, responsibility, and care for the environment.
• Advanced Folding and Polishing Sets: Continuation of early childhood materials, now applied to real-life contributions within the classroom.

Upper Elementary (9–12 Years)

By this stage, children no longer use standard Montessori Practical Life materials. Their fine motor skills are fully developed, and their minds seek meaningful, real-world applications of responsibility and purpose.

Practical Life now evolves into executive function and social contribution: organizing fundraisers, running classroom businesses, managing long-term projects, or initiating environmental stewardship efforts. The focus is on planning, collaboration, and ethical action, not repetitive motor refinement.

Educator Tip: Replace trays and tools with real-life responsibilities—assign roles like class secretary, event manager, or head of plant care. Provide real and purposeful tools: clipboards, measuring cups, budgeting templates, or time planners.

Montessori Art and Music Materials List

名称	説明	目的
Easels and Paint Brushes	Child-height easels with paints and brushes	Encourage creative expression and control of arm movements
Crayons and Color Wheels	Tools for exploring hues and primary colors	Develop visual art skills and color theory understanding
Clay and Sculpting Tools	Soft clay and child-safe sculpting instruments	Strengthen fine motor control and imagination
Montessori Bells	Tuned bells arranged in the chromatic scale	Train musical ear and auditory refinement
Rhythm Instruments	Child-friendly tambourines, shakers, and drums	Promote rhythm, coordination, and auditory expression
Musical Note Boards	Boards to introduce note reading and matching	Begin basic music theory and the visual-auditory connection
Color Mixing Trays	Palettes and droppers for mixing colored liquids	Teach experimentation and understanding of primary/secondary colors

Choose Montessori Art and Music Materials by Age

This section includes both official Montessori materials (as recognized by AMI and AMS standards) and Montessori-inspired supplementary tools commonly found in prepared environments. While only a few art and music items are formal Montessori “materials,” many others are chosen to align with Montessori values: independence, sensory refinement, order, and freedom of expression.

Infant (0–1 Year)

Art and music at this stage are sensory-based and passive. Materials should support visual and auditory stimulation without requiring fine motor output.

• High-Contrast Art Cards: Visual displays with simple geometric patterns enhance infant visual tracking and shape recognition.
• Soft Musical Mobiles: Gently moving and sound-producing mobiles encourage auditory attention and rhythm awareness.
• Bells and Rattles: Introduce controlled sound exploration and develop cause-and-effect awareness through movement and auditory feedback.

Toddler (1–3 Years)

Toddlers begin to explore art and music more actively. Materials should be safe and open-ended, encouraging free expression through movement, sound, and color.

• Crayons and Large Paper Sheets: Enable early mark-making and visual experimentation with color, line, and shape—no expectations of outcome.
• Finger Paint and Texture Boards: Allow toddlers to combine sensory touch with creative play, helping integrate tactile and visual experience.
• Rhythm Instruments (e.g., shakers, drums, bells): Introduce beat, tempo, and coordination. Children explore cause and sound through repetitive motion.
• Xylophone (Large, Color-Coded): Encourages basic tonal exploration and hand-eye coordination as children play freely on tuned bars.

Early Childhood (3–6 Years)

This is the sensitive period for creative self-expression. Art and music materials should allow for exploring and refining sensory and motor abilities.

• Metal Insets: While originally a pre-writing tool, metal insets also served as early art material. Children trace geometric shapes and fill them with colors, building patterning and fine motor skills.
• Color Tablets (Box 3—Grading): Children work with color gradation in sensorial and artistic settings, forming an early understanding of hue and visual harmony.
• Art Easel with Brushes and Paints: Children work upright, promoting gross arm movement control and personal artistic expression.
• Clay and Sculpting Tools: Encourage tactile creativity and three-dimensional form exploration through hands-on manipulation of soft materials.
• Montessori Bells: A cornerstone musical material—two matching sets of color-coded, tuned bells allow children to explore pitch, matching tones, and eventually arrange musical scales.
• Music Note Boards: Introduce children to the visual symbols of music (notes, rests) through hands-on exploration and pattern recognition.

Lower Elementary (6–9 Years)

Art and music become more structured and reflective. Materials should enable technical development, creative composition, and interdisciplinary integration.

• Watercolor and Color Mixing Trays: Children explore advanced color blending, brush control, and artistic layering with more intentionality.
• Formal Musical Bells (with Notation Cards): Used to match tones to written notes, teaching children to read and replicate musical sequences.
• Pentatonic and Diatonic Instruments (e.g., glockenspiel): Children explore full musical scales and begin composing simple tunes using known keys.
• Stitching and Weaving Frames: These introduce form, pattern, and design, building on both artistic and practical life skills.

Upper Elementary (9–12 Years)

At this level, children use art and music for communication, cultural expression, and creative identity. Materials support project-based work and skill refinement.

• Advanced Drawing and Design Sets: Graphite, charcoal, and ink-based materials support realism, proportion study, and thematic visual storytelling.
• Recorder or Keyboard Instruments: Children use formal instruments to explore melody, harmony, and rhythmic structure in performance and composition.
• Music Theory Cards and Composition Strips: Materials support the reading, writing, and analysis of musical notation and phrasing.

Montessori Biology Materials List

名称	説明	目的
Parts of a Flower Puzzle	A wooden puzzle showing the different parts of a flower (petals, pistil, stamen, etc.).	Teaches children the basic structure and function of a flower.
Parts of a Tree Puzzle	A wooden puzzle with pieces representing the different parts of a tree: roots, trunk, branches, leaves.	Helps children understand tree anatomy and introduces the concept of plant life.
Botany Cabinet	A set of drawers containing different leaf shapes (e.g., lanceolate, ovate) for observation and classification.	Teaches children how to classify and observe different types of leaves and plant forms.
Parts of the Plant Puzzle	A puzzle showing the parts of a plant, including the roots, stem, leaves, and flowers.	Helps children identify and learn the key components of a plant.
3-Part Nomenclature Cards (Plants)	A set of cards with pictures of plants and their parts, accompanied by labels and names.	Builds vocabulary and understanding of plant anatomy by matching names with images.
Animal Nomenclature Cards	A set of cards showing animals and their parts (e.g., legs, wings), with labels.	Teaches children about animal anatomy and helps them develop classification skills.
Life Cycle Puzzles (Butterfly, Frog)	Puzzles that show the stages of the life cycle of animals, such as metamorphosis in butterflies or the frog life cycle.	Introduces the concept of life cycles and biological changes over time.
Living vs. Non-Living Sorting Set	A set of objects (both living and non-living) for children to sort into categories.	Helps children understand the distinction between living and non-living things.
Animal Classification Cards	Cards that categorize animals by types, such as mammals, birds, and reptiles, with images.	Develops children’s understanding of animal classification and taxonomy.
Parts of the Human Body Puzzle	A layered wooden puzzle showing the human body, including internal organs like the heart, lungs, and brain.	Teaches children about human anatomy and the function of internal organs.
Microscope and Slides	A Montessori microscope and prepared slides with various biological specimens.	Allows children to observe microscopic organisms and cells, fostering an interest in microbiology.
Five Kingdom Classification Chart	A chart showing the five biological kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera.	Introduces children to the classification of life forms into the five main biological kingdoms.
Vertebrate vs. Invertebrate Sorting Set	A set of cards or models to help children distinguish between vertebrates and invertebrates.	Teaches children about animal classification based on the presence of a spine.
Botany Dissection Kit	A set of tools for children to carefully dissect plants (e.g., flowers, leaves) and explore their internal structures.	Allows children to explore plant anatomy through hands-on dissection and learn about plant structure.
Ecology and Environment Kits	Hands-on kits that introduce children to concepts like ecosystems, food chains, and environmental science.	Provides a practical understanding of how organisms interact within their environment.
Human Anatomy 3-Part Cards	Cards featuring images of human body systems (e.g., skeletal, muscular) with corresponding labels.	Teaches children about the human body, its parts, and systems, helping develop scientific vocabulary.
Life Cycle Charts (Advanced)	Detailed charts illustrating life cycles for more complex organisms, like insects and amphibians.	Expands children’s knowledge of life cycles in more complex organisms, fostering an understanding of biological processes.

Choose Montessori Biology Materials by Age

Infant and Toddler (0–3 years)

At the 0–3 age group, Montessori education emphasizes sensory exploration, practical life activities, and the adult’s role as a guide in helping children understand their environment. While Montessori-specific biology tools for this age group are limited, adult-led guidance and experiences such as caring for plants, animals, and engaging in sensory-based activities are key to fostering an early appreciation for life and the natural world.

• Care of Plant Materials: Introduces children to the responsibility of caring for plants, fostering an early connection with nature.
• Care of Animals Materials: Allows children to care for animals, helping them develop respect and understanding of living creatures.
• Object Permanence Box with Tray: Builds an early understanding of object permanence, laying the foundation for cognitive development.
• Nature Observation Baskets: Provide natural items like leaves, stones, and shells to encourage sensory exploration and observation of the natural world.
• Simple Wooden Animals: Realistic animal figures help children recognize and connect with animals through tactile play.

Early Childhood (3–6 years)

In this stage, Montessori education moves towards hands-on, concrete experiences that support children’s growing ability to classify, observe, and understand the world around them. This period introduces more formal Montessori biology materials, including puzzles and nomenclature cards that teach the names and parts of plants, animals, and other living things.

• Parts of a Flower Puzzle: Helps children learn the parts of a flower and understand plant anatomy.
• Parts of a Tree Puzzle: Introduces children to tree anatomy, including roots, trunk, branches, and leaves.
• 3-Part Nomenclature Cards (Plants and Animals): Builds scientific vocabulary and understanding of the parts of animals and plants.
• Botany Cabinet: A set of drawers containing various leaf shapes, encouraging classification and observation of plant forms.
• Animal Nomenclature Cards: Cards showing different animals and their body parts, promoting understanding of animal anatomy and classification.
• Life Cycle Puzzles: Teaches children about the stages of life cycles, such as metamorphosis or animal growth.
• Living vs. Non-Living Sorting Set: Develops early classification skills by sorting objects into living and non-living categories.

Lower Elementary (6–9 years)

At the 6–9 age group, children are ready for more structured, scientific learning. This stage encourages children to explore biological concepts more deeply, from plant and animal classification to the study of human anatomy. Montessori materials for this age group include advanced puzzles, nomenclature cards, and charts to explore more detailed aspects of biology.

• Botany Cabinet (Advanced): A more detailed version to explore various types of leaves, enhancing knowledge of plant classification.
• Animal Classification Cards: Cards that categorize animals into groups such as mammals, birds, reptiles, etc., for studying animal diversity.
• Human Anatomy Puzzle: Introduces children to human anatomy, focusing on body systems and internal organs.
• Parts of the Flower (3-Part Nomenclature): Detailed nomenclature cards for learning the parts of a flower and their functions.
• Vertebrate vs. Invertebrate Sorting Set: A sorting set that helps children differentiate between vertebrates and invertebrates.

Upper Elementary (9–12 years)

In the 9–12 age group, children are capable of abstract thinking and are ready to study more complex biological systems. At this stage, they delve deeper into ecosystems, human body systems, and the detailed process of biological classification. Montessori materials for this age group include advanced anatomy models, microscopes, and classification charts to explore cells, organisms, and ecosystems. These tools allow children to understand biological processes in greater depth.

• Advanced Human Anatomy Models: Detailed anatomical models that allow for in-depth study of human body systems, including the circulatory and muscular systems.
• Five Kingdom Classification Chart: A visual chart categorizing all life into the five kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera.
• Ecology and Environment Kits: Materials for studying ecosystems, food chains, and how organisms interact within their environments.
• Microscope and Slides: Enables the study of microscopic organisms, cells, and bacteria to introduce microbiology.
• Life Cycle Charts (Advanced): Detailed charts showing the life cycles of more complex organisms such as insects, plants, and amphibians.
• Botany Dissection Kit: A kit for exploring plant anatomy through dissection, helping children understand internal structures.

Montessori Geography & Cultural Materials List

名称	説明	目的
Puzzle Maps	Wooden maps of continents, countries, and regions	Teach geography and spatial awareness
Land and Water Forms	3D trays showing lakes, islands, peninsulas, etc.	Introduce physical geography and earth science
Continent Boxes	Collections of cultural objects, pictures, and flags per continent	Build cultural awareness and global curiosity
Flags of the World	Miniature flags with labeled stands	Introduce international geography and symbolism
Globe of Land & Water	Simple globe distinguishing land and sea	Teach basic global structure and physical geography
People of the World Figures	Dolls or figurines representing global cultures	Promote respect, diversity, and cultural understanding

Choose Montessori Geography & Cultural Materials by Age

This section includes both official Montessori materials (as recognized by AMI/AMS standards) and Montessori-inspired supplementary tools commonly used in モンテッソーリ教室. All materials listed here are selected for their ability to support children’s natural curiosity about the physical world, cultural diversity, and human interdependence—core goals of Montessori’s “Cosmic Education” approach.

Infant (0–1 Year)

Geographic and cultural input at this stage is indirect. Materials should support sensory engagement with the diversity of the real world.

• Realistic Picture Books Featuring People of the World: These books introduce infants to diverse faces, daily life scenes, and settings from different cultures.
• Soft Cloth Books or Image Cards with Nature and Animals: Provide early exposure to various environments and species around the globe.

Toddler (1–3 Years)

Toddlers begin to form basic cultural and environmental classifications. Materials should be hands-on, reality-based, and organized by theme.

• Continent Picture Cards: Visual cards showing foods, dress, animals, or homes from different continents build early categorization and cultural awareness.
• Animal Figurines by Biome or Region: Children sort and match animals based on environment or continent, forming geographic and ecological associations.
• Cultural Object Collections: Miniature items representing tools, foods, or customs help toddlers explore cultural identity and human differences.

Early Childhood (3–6 Years)

This is the foundational stage for formal geography and cultural learning. Materials introduce physical geography, spatial relationships, and global diversity.

• Globe of Land and Water: A tactile globe showing textured land and smooth water, which establishes Earth’s basic features.
• Colored Continent Globe: A simplified globe with color-coded continents that help children name and differentiate land masses.
• Puzzle Maps of Continents and Countries: Wooden map puzzles with knobbed pieces support fine motor control and spatial awareness of geographic forms.
• Land and Water Form Trays: Paired trays showing features like island/lake or cape/bay, which children explore hands-on using water and imagination.
• Continent Boxes: Curated items like flags, photos, coins, animals, and artifacts help children experience the diversity of each continent.
• Flags of the World: Small standing flags paired with maps allow for matching and reinforce national identities.

Lower Elementary (6–9 Years)

Children now begin to more detail analyze global systems, landforms, and human adaptations. Materials integrate classification and critical thinking.

• Pin Maps: Children use labeled pins to identify countries, capitals, rivers, mountains, and flags, reinforcing map knowledge through repetition and control of error.
• Expanded Puzzle Maps: Political and physical map puzzles introduce borders, terrains, and thematic geography.
• Fundamental Needs of Humans Chart: A chart showing how all people meet basic needs—food, shelter, clothing, etc.—in culturally distinct ways.
• Timeline of Life: A visual timeline tracing the history of life on Earth and leading to the appearance of humans, linking science to history.
• Biome Cards and Biome Research Books: Children explore temperature, rainfall, flora, fauna, and human cultures within each ecological region.

Upper Elementary (9–12 Years)

Geography and culture education become interdisciplinary, integrating economics, ecology, history, and global citizenship.

• Economic Geography Charts: Visual tools for understanding production, consumption, and global trade systems.
• Cultural Research Materials: Students investigate regions, migrations, belief systems, and interdependence using research folders, atlases, and field guides.
• Timeline of Early Humans: Through pictorial and textual materials, children explore the evolution and spread of early humans across continents and cultures.
• World Issues Maps and Infographics: Visual representations of global data (population, climate, resources) help children connect geography and global challenges.
• Model United Nations Flags and Country Studies: Support understanding global governance, diplomacy, and international identity.

Tips for Effective Use of Montessori Materials

Montessori materials are thoughtfully designed to foster independence, concentration, and hands-on learning. However, to benefit most from these tools, educators must know how to use them purposefully and respectfully. Below are key tips to help ensure practical application in Montessori environments, with fundamental strategies for implementation.

1. Follow the Child’s Developmental Readiness

Montessori environments often list materials by age range, but these are guidelines, not rules. Observe each child closely for signs of readiness: sustained focus, interest in similar tools, hand-eye coordination, or imitation of related actions.

How to implement:

• Use age-based planning for shelf setup, but adjust presentations based on observations
• Use anecdotal records: document signs of interest, frustration, or avoidance
• Example: If a 3-year-old ignores Sandpaper Letters but is obsessed with moving alphabet tiles, try presenting the Moveable Alphabet earlier than expected
• Offer choices within the same developmental level (e.g., spooning vs. pouring)

2. Give Precise and Minimal Presentations

Children absorb through action and observation. A Montessori presentation should be deliberate, clean, and uninterrupted.

How to implement:

• Rehearse your hand movements beforehand so they are smooth and efficient
• Sit to the child’s left (if they’re right-handed) so they can observe clearly
• Avoid talking during the physical demonstration—speak only at the start (“Today I’ll show you the Cylinder Block”) and end (“Now you can try”)
• Use the same presentation steps every time to support consistency and internalization

3. Create a Prepared Environment

The Montessori classroom must be orderly, inviting, and functionally accessible. The child should be able to locate, use, and return materials independently.

How to implement:

• Place one work per tray/basket, and ensure all pieces are always complete
• Arrange materials from easiest to most complex, left to right (mirroring reading direction)
• Keep shelf height within the child’s reach, and allow open floor space for rug-based work
• Clean and reset trays daily—dust, polish, and restock as needed

4. Respect the Child’s Concentration

Interruptions disrupt the child’s mental engagement and learning cycle, no matter how well-meaning.

How to implement:

• When a child is focused, avoid eye contact, commentary, or redirection
• If another child is about to interrupt, gently guide them away without drawing attention
• Save praise for after completion, and keep it observational (“You carried that tray so steadily”) rather than evaluative (“Good job”)

5. Allow Repetition and Mastery

Children repeat activities not because they are stuck, but because they build neural pathways through deep practice.

How to implement:

• Never suggest moving on unless the child initiates it or shows boredom
• Refresh trays without removing the core material—e.g., replace dried lentils in a pouring work to renew interest
• Observe variation in repetition: is the child becoming faster, more accurate, more graceful? This shows progress.

6. Rotate Materials Thoughtfully

A rotating system keeps the environment fresh while protecting order. But rotation must be strategic, not automatic.

How to implement:

• Use a checklist to track when a material was last introduced or rotated
• Rotate when: the child loses interest, the work is consistently misused, or mastery is demonstrated
• Avoid rotating everything at once—change one shelf area per week to support continuity

7. Use Correct Terminology and Encourage Language

Precise language supports both vocabulary development and internal order.

How to implement:

• Use exact terms during or after presentations (“This is the Binomial Cube”)
• In follow-up conversations or storytelling, reinforce connections (“You used that to make a square—what’s that shape called?”)
• Avoid “baby talk” or over-simplification—respect the child’s capacity to absorb real vocabulary

8. Foster Independence, Not Perfection

Self-correction is more potent than adult correction. Montessori materials are intentionally designed to control error—use this feature.

How to implement:

• Step back when a child makes a mistake, and observe how they react
• Only intervene if the error is repeated without awareness, or if the material is misused destructively
• If correction is needed, offer a re-presentation rather than pointing out the mistake directly

9. Observe Regularly and Objectively

Observation is the foundation of responsive teaching. It reveals the child’s needs, preferences, frustrations, and breakthrough moments.

How to implement:

• Set aside 15–30 minutes daily for silent observation
• Use a form with prompts: material used, method, facial expression, duration, social behavior
• Use this data to decide when to introduce new materials, adapt current setups, or offer grace and courtesy lessons

10. Model Care and Respect for Materials

Children imitate what they see. If the adult handles tools carefully, replaces items neatly, and respects the environment, the child will do the same.

How to implement:

• Always walk slowly when carrying trays or rugs
• Clean up spills and return items deliberately, even when no one is watching
• During transitions, show equal respect for Practical Life trays as you would for Golden Beads or the Pink Tower—this models equality of value across disciplines

Where to Buy Montessori Materials

Choosing the right supplier is essential to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of Montessori education. Authentic Montessori materials are thoughtfully designed to support a child’s independence, sensory development, and cognitive growth through hands-on learning. Whether equipping a whole classroom or setting up a home learning space, sourcing high-quality, developmentally appropriate materials from trusted manufacturers is key.

シーハ・キッズ

Website: https://xihakidz.com/

Xiha Kidz offers high-quality 教室用家具 and Montessori materials for preschool and daycare. Focusing on safety, durability, and child-centered design, Xiha Kidz provides educational environments with well-crafted furniture solutions that promote independence and creativity. By offering high-quality services at affordable prices, we have established partnerships with clients worldwide.

Highlights:

• High-quality products guaranteed by many years of experience
• Environmentally friendly and sustainable production concept
• Customized furniture solutions for kindergartens and daycare institutions

Nienhuis Montessori

Website: https://www.nienhuis.com/us/

Nienhuis Montessori is a globally recognized manufacturer of Montessori materials with over 90 years of experience. The brand offers a wide range of materials, from early childhood tools to primary and elementary-level equipment, ensuring alignment with authentic Montessori pedagogy.

Highlights:

• Premium-quality materials that adhere to AMI standards
• Wide range of Montessori materials for all educational levels
• Expertly crafted using eco-friendly and non-toxic materials

シハ・モンテッソーリ

Website: https://xihamontessori.com/

Xiha Montessori is a globally recognized manufacturer and supplier of authentic Montessori materials. The brand offers a full range of Montessori materials, from infant education materials to primary school-level materials. Their products are known for high-quality craftsmanship, safety standards, and adherence to Montessori principles.

Highlights:

• A leading supplier of Montessori materials worldwide
• Offers a wide range of both traditional and custom-made Montessori materials
• Focus on quality and precision in manufacturing, ensuring long-lasting durability

Top Montessori

Website: https://topmontessoris.com/

Top Montessori is a specialized manufacturer and global supplier of high-quality Montessori educational materials. The company is dedicated to preserving the authenticity of Montessori pedagogy while making Montessori materials accessible and affordable to educators worldwide.

Highlights:

• Focus on premium craftsmanship with durable, child-safe materials
• Customized bulk supply for schools
• Efficient global shipping and responsive customer service

Gonzagarredi Montessori

Website: https://shop.gonzagarredi.com/en/

Gonzagarredi Montessori is one of the oldest and most respected names in the Montessori materials industry. It is known for its authentic craftsmanship and adherence to Montessori principles. Its products are used in Montessori schools worldwide.

Highlights:

• High-quality, handcrafted Montessori materials
• Focus on eco-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing practices
• Long-standing history of commitment to authentic Montessori education

ウィニング・キッズ

Website: https://winningkidz.com/

Winning Kidz specializes in designing and manufacturing Montessori-inspired furniture and learning spaces for children. Known for their simple yet practical designs, Winning Kidz creates products that blend aesthetics, safety, and functionality and are suitable for any educational environment.

Highlights:

• Sustainable, non-toxic materials are used in all products
• Over 20 years of experience in children’s furniture design
• Offers free design support for Montessori classrooms

よくある質問

Are all Montessori materials made of wood?
While many traditional Montessori materials are made from natural wood for sensory and environmental reasons, not all materials must be wooden. The key is that they are well-crafted, durable, and sensorially engaging. Some natural materials, including metal, fabric, or glass, are also used in Montessori materials.

What is the difference between Montessori materials and regular toys?
Unlike regular 教室のおもちゃ, Montessori materials are designed with a specific educational purpose. They often isolate one concept (such as weight, sound, or shape) at a time. They are self-correcting, purposeful, and aligned with developmental stages rather than entertainment.

Can I use Montessori materials at home?
Absolutely. Many Montessori materials can be used effectively at home. Start with Practical Life and Sensorial tools such as pouring jugs, shape sorters, and knobbed cylinders. Just ensure the environment allows freedom of movement, order, and child-sized accessibility.

When should I introduce Montessori materials to my child?
Montessori materials can be introduced from infancy. For example, mobiles and grasping toys are suitable for infants, while toddlers can use spooning, sorting, and pouring activities. Always observe your child’s readiness rather than relying solely on age.

How many Montessori materials do I need to get started?
Quality matters more than quantity. You can begin with a few well-chosen materials that match your child’s developmental stage and interests—such as a pouring set, color tablets, or knobbed cylinders. Rotate as needed based on your child’s engagement.

What are the 4 C’s in Montessori?
The 4 C’s in Montessori—Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity—represent key skills nurtured through the Montessori method.

What are the most popular Montessori materials?
1. The Pink Tower.
2. The Cylinder Blocks.
3. The Sandpaper Letters.
4. The Number Rods.
5. The Moveable Alphabet.
6. The Binomial and Trinomial Cubes.
7. The Metal Insets.

Conclusion: Importance of the Montessori Materials List

A well-prepared list of Montessori materials is far more than a shopping guide—it’s a blueprint for meaningful learning. Each material serves a distinct developmental purpose, rooted in observation, science, and a deep respect for the child’s natural learning process. By thoughtfully selecting and sequencing these tools, educators create environments where children develop independence, concentration, and a lifelong love of discovery.

Whether in a school or home setting, the Montessori materials list helps ensure that every child has access to developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning experiences. It supports consistency, clarity, and intentionality in teaching, while honoring the Montessori philosophy of “following the child.” When used effectively, this list becomes a powerful bridge between educational vision and practical application—nurturing not only academic growth but also confidence, curiosity, and character.