The 12-18 Month Developmental Window
This age is magical. Your toddler is becoming increasingly mobile, curious, and capable. They want to DO everything you're doing. Montessori activities for this age honor that drive while building real skills.
What They're Working On
- Gross motor: Walking, climbing, balancing
- Fine motor: Pincer grasp, hand-eye coordination
- Language: Understanding words, attempting speech
- Independence: "Me do it!" mentality emerging
- Order: Need for routine and consistency
- Concentration: Ability to focus for longer periods
The 10 Best Activities
1. Ball Drop with Tissue Box
What you need:
- Empty tissue box
- 3-4 small balls or pompoms
Setup:
- Place box on floor or low table
- Model dropping ball through opening
- Let child explore independently
Skills developed:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Object permanence
- Cause and effect
- Fine motor precision
Why it works: Simple, repetitive, satisfying!
2. Water Transfer with Sponge
What you need:
- 2 small bowls
- Natural sponge
- Small amount of water
- Towel for spills
Setup:
- Place bowls side-by-side on tray
- Fill one bowl halfway with water
- Show slow, exaggerated squeezing motion
Skills developed:
- Fine motor strength
- Hand-eye coordination
- Concentration
- Water exploration
Safety tip: Always supervise water activities
3. Shape Sorter (Single Shape)
What you need:
- Container with lid
- Single hole cut in lid (circle works best)
- Objects that fit through hole
Setup:
- Start with just one shape/hole
- Model dropping object through
- Let child work independently
- Periodically dump out and refill
Skills developed:
- Problem-solving
- Hand-eye coordination
- Shape recognition
- Persistence
4. Simple Puzzles (1-3 Pieces)
What you need:
- Wooden puzzles with knobs
- Start with single-piece puzzles
Setup:
- Present one puzzle at a time
- Model slow, deliberate placement
- Store on low shelf
Skills developed:
- Spatial reasoning
- Fine motor skills
- Problem-solving
- Concentration
5. Posting Activity (Coins in Piggy Bank)
What you need:
- Piggy bank or container with slot
- Large plastic coins or poker chips
Setup:
- Sit beside child
- Show posting motion slowly
- Shake bank to hear coins
- Open and repeat
Skills developed:
- Pincer grasp
- Hand-eye coordination
- Cause and effect
- Fine motor precision
6. Opening and Closing Containers
What you need:
- 3-4 different containers
- Various lids (screw-on, snap, hinged)
- Small objects to hide inside (optional)
Setup:
- Present one container at a time
- Model opening and closing
- Let child practice
- Increase difficulty gradually
Skills developed:
- Wrist rotation
- Problem-solving
- Hand strength
- Persistence
7. Stacking Rings or Cups
What you need:
- Wooden stacking toy OR
- Nesting cups
Setup:
- Model stacking or nesting
- Start with just 3 pieces
- Let child explore freely
- Add more pieces as skill develops
Skills developed:
- Size discrimination
- Hand-eye coordination
- Problem-solving
- Concentration
8. Push/Pull Toy Walking
What you need:
- Simple push or pull toy
- Clear walking path
Setup:
- Create obstacle-free path
- Model slow, careful walking
- Let child practice
- Gradually add gentle obstacles (pillows)
Skills developed:
- Gross motor coordination
- Balance
- Spatial awareness
- Confidence in walking
9. Transferring Objects with Hands
What you need:
- 2 bowls or baskets
- 5-6 larger objects (balls, blocks, eggs)
- Tray
Setup:
- Place bowls side-by-side on tray
- Objects start in left bowl
- Model transferring one at a time to right bowl
- Let child work left to right
Skills developed:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Concentration
- Left-to-right orientation (pre-reading)
- Completing a work cycle
10. Simple Food Preparation
What you need:
- Child-safe knife
- Soft foods (banana, avocado)
- Cutting board
- Small plate
Setup:
- Sit beside child at low table
- Hand-over-hand help initially
- Model slow, deliberate cuts
- Let child eat what they prepare
Skills developed:
- Independence
- Hand-eye coordination
- Life skills
- Confidence
- Healthy eating habits
Setting Up for Success
The Montessori Tray System
Present each activity on a tray containing everything needed:
- Visual clarity: Child sees complete activity
- Order: Everything has its place
- Independence: Carry tray to workspace
- Completion: Easy to see when done
Rotation is Key
Active shelf: 4-6 activities Storage: Remaining activities
Rotate weekly based on:
- What child gravitates toward
- What they ignore
- New skills emerging
- Seasonal interests
Presentation Matters
When introducing new activity:
- Invite: "I have something to show you"
- Slow motion: Exaggerate movements
- Minimal words: Let actions speak
- Observe: Watch their first attempts
- Step back: Allow independent work
What Success Looks Like
Don't expect perfection!
At this age, "doing the activity correctly" might mean:
- Exploring materials
- Dumping contents out
- Putting things in mouth (safely)
- Brief engagement (2-3 minutes)
- Repeating one step over and over
Celebrate the process:
- Concentration (even brief)
- Attempting the activity
- Cleaning up with help
- Asking to do it again
- Showing family members
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"My child just dumps everything out"
✅ Normal! Contain the mess with:
- Smaller quantities
- Work on tray or placemat
- Involve in cleanup
- Some dumping activities are valid!
"They lose interest after 30 seconds"
✅ Totally age-appropriate!
- 2-5 minutes is success
- Repeat over days/weeks
- Try different time of day
- Might not be ready yet
"They want to do it 'wrong'"
✅ Follow the child!
- Safe exploration is learning
- Creativity is valuable
- Present again later
- Multiple "right" ways exist
"I don't have time to set all this up"
✅ Start with ONE activity
- 5 minutes setup max
- Use what you have
- Simplify further
- Quality over quantity
Age Adaptations
Younger (10-12 months)
Make it easier:
- Larger objects
- Simpler motions
- More modeling
- Lower expectations
- Extra supervision
Older (18-24 months)
Increase challenge:
- Smaller objects
- Multiple steps
- Less modeling
- Higher expectations
- More independence
Materials to Keep On Hand
Basics:
- Baskets and trays
- Bowls (various sizes)
- Balls and pompoms
- Natural sponges
- Containers with lids
Kitchen items:
- Measuring cups
- Wooden spoons
- Muffin tins
- Ice cube trays
- Small pitchers
Nature items:
- Shells
- Pinecones
- Smooth stones
- Leaves
- Flowers
Daily Rhythm
Morning (high energy):
- Gross motor activities
- Water work
- New activities
After lunch (calmer):
- Puzzles
- Sorting
- Books
- Quiet activities
Before bed (wind-down):
- Reading
- Soft music
- Gentle activities
- Avoid screens
Need more activity ideas tailored to your child's age and interests? Our app offers 200+ Montessori activities with video demonstrations and daily personalized picks!