Montessori toys are increasingly captivating parents. Simple, aesthetically pleasing, and designed to encourage children's autonomy, they appeal because of their nurturing approach.

But one question often comes up: at what age can we really start Montessori games?

Good news: it's never too early to awaken a baby's curiosity, provided you choose the right materials.

From birth: observe, listen, feel

Montessori pedagogy begins well before the “games” themselves.

From the first few weeks, baby explores the world with his senses: he observes, listens, touches and gently awakens to his environment.

The first “Montessori games” at this age are therefore primarily sensory tools that stimulate sight, touch and hearing.

For example :

• Contrasting mobiles like the Munari mobile are perfect for exercising visual concentration.
• Black and white cards, ideal for its first months of observation.
• Lightweight rattles made of wood or fabric, easy to grasp.

Discover our Koala Câlin 0-3 month play kit , inspired by these early Montessori principles to gently stimulate baby's curiosity and senses.

📖 To learn more: see our article Why is early learning essential between 3 and 6 months? to understand how each month counts in their sensory development.

Between 6 and 12 months: explore and act independently

From 6 months onwards, baby enters the active exploration phase. He grasps, manipulates, shakes, tastes… everything is a subject for discovery.

This is when Montessori games become truly meaningful, as they encourage free experimentation and fine motor skills.

Some Montessori game ideas for children from 6 months old:

• Shape sorter or object permanence box
• Stacking rings
• Nesting cups
• Sensory exploration mat

These activities allow the baby to understand that their actions have an effect, thus strengthening their self-confidence.

Discover the complete collection of Noor & Koala play kits : bilingual early learning boxes, adapted to each stage of baby's development.

📖 Also read: How to stimulate baby's sensory development from the first months? to delve deeper into this key learning phase.

From one year old: the pleasure of doing it alone

Around 12-18 months, baby begins to assert their autonomy.

He likes to reproduce everyday actions: pouring, stacking, arranging, transferring… all activities directly inspired by Montessori pedagogy.

The secret? Offer simple, tangible objects that are the right size for them.

A small glass of water, a spoon, baskets or a tray: everything becomes a learning game.

Our favorite: the Awakened Koala Kit (3-6 months) to gently and bilingually accompany this discovery of everyday gestures 🇫🇷🇬🇧

Why choose Montessori games from a very young age?

Montessori toys are not just pretty: they are based on solid scientific principles.

According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology (Lillard & Else-Quest, 2006), children growing up in a Montessori environment show better cognitive, social and emotional development from early childhood.

In other words:

• They learn to concentrate better.
• They develop their fine motor skills.
• And they gain autonomy and confidence.

This is exactly the philosophy we apply at Noor & Koala: to stimulate awakening and curiosity from a very young age, without over-stimulation or over-consumption.

To conclude

Starting Montessori games from the first months provides baby with a natural learning environment where they can explore, understand and grow at their own pace.

And when these moments of discovery take place in French and English, as in the Noor & Koala kits, each game becomes an opportunity for bilingual and sensory awakening.

Discover now the complete Noor & Koala collection — bilingual and evolving early learning kits that grow with your child.