Montessori Activities for 18-Month-Olds

What to expect at 18 months

At around 18 months, many toddlers walk steadily, want to carry and move things, and are keen to copy what adults do. Language is often growing, though children vary a great deal in when they start using words. Many toddlers this age also still put objects in their mouths.

Montessori activities for this age are usually short, simple, and hands-on. The goal is practice and curiosity, not a finished product. Treat any age guidance as a rough range, and follow your own child’s interests and abilities. If you have concerns about development, talk to your pediatrician.

Safety first

Toddlers learn by touching and tasting, so safety planning is the most important part of this age.

• Supervise closely. Stay within sight and reach for every activity below, especially anything with water, food, or a stool.
• Choking hazards. Many popular Montessori ideas use small items such as beads, beans, pom-poms, cotton balls, coins, or buttons. These are not suitable for a child who mouths objects. A commonly used rule of thumb is that anything that fits inside a toilet paper tube is too small. Use larger items, such as big wooden blocks, large scoops of soft fabric, or whole pieces of fruit that have been prepared safely.
• Dry rice, pasta and sand. These can be mouthed or inhaled, and dry rice and pasta are a choking risk. Skip dry rice and pasta bins for children under 2.
• Water. Use shallow amounts. Never leave a toddler alone near any water, including a bucket or a sink.
• Falls. Climbers, learning towers and stools should be stable and used with an adult beside the child. Place soft surfaces underneath climbing equipment, and follow the manufacturer’s age guidance.
• Cleaning products. Keep them locked away. Use plain water and a cloth for child cleaning tasks.
• Button batteries and magnets. Keep these out of reach. If you suspect your child has swallowed either, seek emergency medical help right away.
• Cords and plastic bags. Remove them from the play area.

Practical life activities

Practical life activities invite toddlers to take part in everyday tasks.

• Wiping the table. Offer a small cloth and a spray of water, or a damp sponge. Show slow movements.
• Washing hands. Use a stable step stool or a low sink, and stay close.
• Helping with dishes. Wash unbreakable cups or plastic bowls in a shallow tub of water, with you present. Place them on a towel to dry.
• Pouring water. Offer a small pitcher and a cup on a tray. Provide a sponge or towel for spills. Expect a lot of spills, which is part of learning.
• Watering plants. A small watering can and a sturdy plant. Check that the plant is not toxic.
• Carrying items. A small basket with a few soft items, or a lightweight tray with one unbreakable cup.
• Self-feeding. Let your child hold a spoon and try, with age-appropriate food and supervision. Cut foods that can be a choking risk, such as whole grapes, lengthwise into small pieces.
• Putting things away. Show your child where items live, then let them return them. These small habits grow into the skills in self-help activities for preschoolers.

Some families use a toddler learning tower in the kitchen. If you choose one, check that it is stable, follow the instructions, and always stay beside the child.

Fine motor activities

• Posting boxes. Drop large, safe items, such as wooden discs bigger than a choke test tube or sturdy cards, through a slot in a container. Avoid coins and small items.
• Knobbed puzzles. Simple puzzles with a few pieces and large knobs.
• Shape sorters. Large pieces only.
• Stacking and nesting cups. Good for stacking, sorting by size, and hiding objects.
• Large nuts and bolts. Choose oversized pieces made for toddlers, and supervise closely.
• Opening and closing containers. Boxes with easy lids or flip tops. Check there are no sharp edges or small parts.
• Transferring with a scoop. Move large soft balls or pieces of fabric from one bowl to another by hand or with a large scoop. Tiny beads or beans are not suitable at this age.

Language activities

• Name things. Talk about what you are doing during routines: “Now we are washing the cup.”
• Share books. Choose sturdy board books with clear pictures (see the best board books for 1-2 year olds), and let your child turn pages. Point and name objects.
• Sing songs and rhymes. Short, repetitive songs help children learn the rhythm of language.
• Match figures to pictures. Offer a small set of larger toy animals and matching photo cards. Check the figures are too big to be swallowed.
• Give simple choices. “Do you want the red cup or the blue cup?” This supports language and independence.

Sensory activities

• Sensory bottles. Seal clear bottles with water or large objects, and skip glitter and glitter glue at this age. Glue the lid shut with strong adhesive and check regularly, because a toddler could open it and swallow the contents. Supervised play only; discard the bottle if it is scratched or cracked.
• Water play. A small tub with cups and a sponge, with an adult within arm’s reach at all times.
• Texture basket. Fabric scraps, a soft brush, a wooden spoon, and other safe household objects. Remove anything that could be torn apart into small pieces.
• Low sensory bin. Skip dry rice and pasta at this age, because they are a choking risk. A tub of water with cups and a sponge, or a basket of large safe objects, gives similar scooping and pouring practice.

Movement activities

• Walking and exploring. Let your child lead a short walk in a safe place, following their curiosity.
• Push and pull toys. Choose stable ones that do not tip easily.
• Low climbing. A low climbing triangle or soft cushions, used with an adult beside the child, on a soft surface.
• Balls. Soft balls to roll and throw. Choose balls larger than a toddler’s mouth.
• Obstacle play. Pillows to crawl over or a tunnel to go through.
• Dancing. Put on some music and move together.

Setting up a simple shelf

You only need a few items.

• Use a low shelf or a few baskets.
• Offer around four to six activities, each in its own tray or basket.
• Keep things simple and uncluttered.
• Rotate activities when interest fades.
• Check every item for small parts and sharp edges.

For wider ideas on arranging a home, see our guide to Montessori at home.

A sample week

This is only an example. Keep sessions short and stop when your child loses interest.

When it does not go to plan

• Your child throws things or dumps everything. This is common. Offer fewer items and show gently how to use them. Keep unsafe items out of the setup.
• They lose interest quickly. Short attention spans are normal at this age. Try again in a few days.
• They put things in their mouth. Remove the item, offer a safer alternative, and avoid small parts.
• They want you to do it. Sit with them and show it again slowly, without commenting too much.

Questions parents ask

What are practical life activities in Montessori? They are everyday tasks such as pouring, wiping, washing, and caring for a plant, adapted so a child can take part.

Is Montessori good for toddlers? Many families find that the focus on independence and hands-on activity fits toddlers well. Since “Montessori” can mean different things in different programs, it is worth looking at what a specific school or home routine actually does.

What is the golden rule of Montessori? There is no single official rule, but “follow the child” is a phrase often used to summarize the approach: observe your child and offer what suits their interests and skills.

Next steps

When your child is ready for more structure, see our Montessori lesson plans for 2 year olds. To involve your toddler in everyday tasks, read about Montessori age-appropriate chores.