Fostering Growth: Top 5 Montessori Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Your 2-year-old is a bundle of energy. By this age, your child's walking, talking, and running around, full of curiosity. Your child now has a growing vocabulary and adopts new words almost daily. They can easily recognize colors and shapes and may even show interest in potty training.

But things aren't perfect at any age, and 2 is no exception. As your child becomes more independent, they may show signs of defiance. They may even begin to push boundaries more than you’d like. That's what some call "terrible twos."

Luckily, this is just a phase, and it’s not as bad as it sounds.

However, if you need something to focus all that 2-year-old ball of energy on, Montessori toys for 2-year-olds are the perfect match.

But first..

2-year-olds are highly curious and active. At this age, they start making social interactions by imitating their parents, older siblings, and other adults. They also display physical skills like running, jumping, and drawing. 

At 2 years old, a child's brain is like a sponge. They're learning to talk in sentences, play with others, and do many things on their own. Of course, the speed of development varies from child to child.

But there are common things most children start doing at this age. According to CDC guidelines, here are the biggest developmental milestones for 2-year-old kids:

• Social and emotional skills: Children at this age are keen observers. Often, they imitate children and adults they're surrounded by. Though they usually play next to other kids, they rarely engage in group activities. This type of play is called parallel play.

• Talking and solving problems: At this age, a child can usually point to items or pictures when named. They recognize the names of close people and can identify different body parts. Children form short sentences, respond to simple requests, and repeat conversation words.

• Doing and moving things: Physically, a 2-year-old can show various skills, including standing on tiptoes, kicking balls, and starting to run. You can often find 2-year-olds climbing furniture without anyone's help. Their throwing skills improve, and they begin drawing, even managing to replicate basic shapes.

Here are our top 5 picks we’re sure your toddler will love playing with.

A 6-pack wooden puzzle is a great pick for your 2-year-old. It's designed to improve children's focus and nurture attention spans that typically last just a few minutes at this age. By working on the puzzle, your child will hone fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

Oh, and there's a bonus: puzzles are known to be calming, which can be a welcome break for kids and parents. Besides, wooden toys get a thumbs up for safety and being eco-friendly.

Want a toy that's both fun and super educational? The Montessori Busy Board has got you covered. It's jam-packed with zippers, shoelaces, and buckles to keep those little fingers busy. As they play, they'll be boosting their motor skills and attention span, setting them up for success in school and everyday tasks.

What's even cooler is that it's lightweight and easy to clean, making it a great travel buddy. Encourage their independence and watch them thrive with this interactive board.

Want to get your child a Christmas present earlier this year? Look no further than this Montessori Christmas tree. While it will put your kid in a festive mood, it will also help them learn. As the child adds ornaments, they'll explore colors and patterns.

The tree itself is sturdy, so you won't have to worry about your child breaking it. Gift your child a blend of holiday joy and education this season.

A toy for future engineers. Get those little fingers busy by building, sorting, and stacking all the different pieces that come in this set. It’s an old classic that has stood the test of time.

It's tactile and screen-free, promoting prolonged focus and imagination. It supports finger dexterity, memory, and creativity. It's safe and portable.

Mazes are… well, amazing (pun intended). They exercise the brain's memory capacity. Learning to avoid dead ends and remembering routes challenges both short- and long-term memory.

The Montessori Magnetic Maze will challenge your kid to recognize colors, develop patience, and think creatively. It's a fun, colorful way to prepare them for the academic challenges ahead while keeping them engaged and entertained.