About the Author
Abbie Coleman is the founder and editor of MMB Magazine, a mum of two, and a champion for working parents navigating the chaos of modern life. With over 25 years of experience in recruitment and career support, Abbie brings real-world insight into parenting, child development, and balancing work with motherhood. After struggling to find Montessori options for her daughter Eliza locally, she began integrating the Montessori approach at home—making it accessible and achievable for busy families. Through relatable storytelling and honest advice, Abbie is building the UK’s go-to hub for working mums who want more than survival—they want a thriving life.
What Is Montessori Play? A Real Mum’s Guide to Getting Started (Without Overwhelm)
If you’ve ever asked, “What exactly is Montessori play?” you’re not alone. It’s one of those parenting buzzwords that seems to pop up everywhere — but once you start digging, it can feel like a whole new world (and not always an easy one to step into).
So let’s break it down in a real way—no jargon, no pressure—just a mum-to-mum chat about Montessori play, how it works, and how I’ve made it work for us.
Here’s our pick of the top ten Montessori parenting books.
A full roundup of all our Montessori articles.
Table of Contents
What is Montessori Play?
At its core, Montessori play is all about purposeful, child-led learning through play-based activities. It’s deeply rooted in the Montessori method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician who believed that children thrive when given independence in a prepared environment. This is the foundation of a high-quality Montessori education.
Montessori play takes place in a carefully curated play space or Montessori classroom, where open-ended play, natural materials, and age-appropriate toys support cognitive development, sensory experience, and motor skill refinement.
They follow Montessori principles, which prioritise independence, order, and respect for your child’s natural pace of learning.
Rather than passive activities or electronic devices, children engage with open-ended toys like wooden blocks, puzzles, and real tools. This is a great way to encourage problem-solving skills, creativity, and imaginative play, which are key in the first years of life.
My Montessori Journey (And Why I Didn’t Go All In at Once)
I’ll be honest—when I first looked into Montessori play, I found it really overwhelming. There were so many terms, rules, and setups that it felt like I had to suddenly transform my house into a Pinterest-perfect learning lab overnight.
I was working, juggling mum life, and trying to keep the laundry from swallowing me whole and the meals as healthy as possible. No matter how important, I didn’t have the mental space or energy for anything else.
So, instead of diving headfirst, I started with the natural bits. Toy rotation was the first step — taking out a limited number of toys at a time and giving the rest a break. It instantly made our space calmer and Kimi more focused. Then came a play Montessori arch, a toddler couch that doubled as a reading space, and eventually, a Montessori-style kitchen setup for pouring and chopping.
That’s when it clicked: this didn’t have to be all or nothing. Montessori play could flex to fit us.
Kimi went to Leeds Montessori School, and we loved the environment there. But when it came time for Eliza, we couldn’t find anything similar in Derbyshire. So, bringing Montessori home became even more critical. Having that kind of structure and intention in our home learning felt good.
From there, I read more (between coffee spills and bedtime routines) and started picking out more ideas that suited us. It’s not about perfection — it’s about progress.
Benefits of Montessori Play (That I’ve Actually Seen)
More Calm, Less Chaos: Toy rotation means fewer things on the floor and more focus from the kids.
Independence: Kimi started pouring his own drinks and preparing snacks. Eliza is now doing the same, and she is as proud as anything when she manages it.
Confidence Boost: Giving them tools that work (not plastic versions!) gives them that “I’ve got this” energy.
Real-World Skills: From folding clothes to sweeping up, these aren’t just chores — they’re learning opportunities.
Better Social Skills: Because Montessori encourages self-directed learning and respect for others, it really helped the kids with turn-taking and sharing.
Encourages Curiosity and New Skills: Eliza recently got into using her mini colander and pouring water back and forth between jugs, all of which developed hand-eye coordination and concentration.
Boosts Brain Development: According to the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Montessori materials are specifically designed to engage the brain during its most active period of growth, especially during sensitive periods in the preschool years https://montessori-ami.org.
Simple Montessori Ideas for Busy Mums
You don’t need to remortgage your house or buy an entire curriculum to bring Montessori home. Here are the quick wins that worked for us:
Toy Rotation: Keep 5–6 toys out and store the rest. Rotate weekly.
Practical Life Trays: Small tasks like spooning beans or pouring water are perfect for developing fine motor skills.
Mini Kitchen Area: A stool, kid-safe utensils, and a jug are ready to help and gain physical development through everyday tasks.
Pikler Triangle or Climbing Arch: These help with gross motor skills, balance, and confidence.
Reading Nook with Natural Light: Create a soft space with low shelving and books they can access. Add musical instruments or puzzles for open-ended exploration.
Q&A: Real Mum, Real Experience
Q: Can pretend play or fantasy play still be Montessori?
A: This is a big one. Montessori avoids fantasy play in the early years, favouring real-life activities. But in our home? Eliza still dresses up as a princess with her tea set. We blend the two. We keep it grounded with fundamental tools but also let them imagine. For me, it’s about balance.
Q: What if I can’t afford wooden Montessori toys?
A: Honestly, neither could I at first. Some of the best Montessori activities are free: scooping rice, matching socks, washing up with a cloth. It’s not about expensive toys — it’s about the quality of a child’s learning experience. Sites like Montessori Toys offer great insights into age-appropriate Montessori activities.
Q: How do you set up a Montessori playroom?
A: Start small. Think open space, low shelves, baskets instead of big plastic boxes, and limited activities. Natural light helps, too. Make it easy for them to choose and put away their own things. There’s a great starter guide from The Montessori Notebook: https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/
Q: How does this work if both parents work full-time?
A: That’s us. We do what we can. It’s less about having hours to guide play and more about giving them an environment that invites learning and independence — even while you’re making dinner.
Montessori Play and Early Childhood Development: Why It Matters More Than Ever
The early years — from birth to around age six — are widely considered the most crucial stage for brain development and forming lifelong learning habits. Recent research from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University shows that more than 1 million new neural connections (nerve cells) form every second in a young child’s brain. These connections shape everything from emotional regulation to motor skills to future academic ability.
This is where the Montessori approach really shines. Because it’s based on self-directed, hands-on learning, it allows young children to explore in a way that suits their sensitive periods — those windows of time when their brain is particularly primed for acquiring specific skills. Whether it’s language, movement, or order, Montessori play supports the child’s unique developmental timeline without forcing a rigid structure or purely academic work.
Unlike traditional models that focus heavily on early academics, the Montessori philosophy centres around play-based learning, especially in the preschool years. It’s not about pushing children before they’re ready; it’s about encouraging children to discover, test, and engage at their own pace.
This type of play — often called the work of the child — includes a wide variety of play activities using wooden toys, real tools, puzzles, and open-ended toys. These materials spark critical thinking, independence, and children’s learning in a fun way. Whether it’s pouring water, buttoning a shirt, or building towers with wooden blocks, these are valuable, developmentally appropriate activities supporting important skills and cognitive growth.
Montessori school classrooms and home environments alike offer a kind of environment that supports focus, calm, and curiosity. There’s a deliberate use of a limited number of activities, with everything arranged to promote independence. The idea is that younger children will naturally engage in different activities when the space is tailored to their needs.
Instead of relying on overstimulating, fast-paced video games or noisy tech, Montessori uses real-world items to introduce new things. This helps children develop executive function and self-discipline — without being glued to an electronic device. The result? A deeper, more connected form of learning that feels natural, not forced.
Another reason Montessori holds such great value today is that it’s globally recognised. From the UK to the United States and beyond, Montessori schools in many world regions continue to grow in popularity thanks to their holistic approach to early childhood education.
From my own experience, I’ve seen how adaptable and grounded this method is. It’s not about doing things perfectly — it’s about doing what works for your own children and your home. Whether you’re using a few Montessori guides or following a complete preschool program, the key is to start with what feels manageable and build from there.
If you’re looking for the best way to support your child’s learning, promote independence, and embrace the power of play, Montessori play is more than just an Instagram trend its a really a gift to help your chid and thier learning thorugh play.
Final Thoughts: Montessori Play on Your Terms
Montessori play isn’t about doing it all or doing it perfectly. It’s about trying to create a learning environment where your children can thrive through hands-on learning, self-care stations, self-discovery, and play.
If you’re starting out, remember that Montessori programs are adaptable and scalable. From Montessori preschool settings to home-based play, the goal is always the same: support the child’s development and honour the child’s work.
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