Which Montessori Lessons to Give a Tot?

Young tot standing and holding onto a wooden structure

If a child at the age of 16 months comes to me, which Montessori lesson do I start with first? Shall I start with the sensorial, the language, the maths, or the practical life lesson first? How many types of lessons can be done in a day and how many hours for each lesson?

You need to observe the child in your Montessori home or daycare environment, to see what they choose to play (work with), then you will know what materials to add to the environment.

Maybe the child loves trucks, so have lots of trucks and give the language, count them, and learn the colors of the truck, and the noises it makes. When that same child is two or three, make a washing truck work (practical life); a sorting truck work (sensorial); draw a truck when they are 3 or 4; learn to sound out the word t-r-u-ck, and write it...

What I'm trying to say is you need to observe the child in your environment to see what he or she is interested in and give them activities that are not too hard or too easy, and sometimes you won't know what is too hard or too easy until you make or buy the activity and place it on your shelves.
 
A 16-month-old is not as interested in lessons as an older child of three, they want to explore! They are not ready for math unless they show an interest in counting, which you can do through counting books for children, counting food at snack, and counting blocks...
 
Language is more of an interest in building vocabulary: names of things; as well as singing songs and nursery rhymes at circle time. Practical Life interest comes at 2 to 2 1/2.
 
~Lisa Nolan

Young tot standing and holding onto a wooden structure

Photo credit: Foter.com

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How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Simone Davies of The Montessori Notebook

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Montessori Homeschool Routine by Marie Mack of Child Led Life

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Montessori and Potty Training Boys

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