The American Montessori Society is proud to partner with schleich^®, the maker of high-quality, hand-painted toy figurines and accessories.

schleich® has put together the full collection of videos conveying the important role schleich® materials can play in Early Childhood Montessori classrooms and homes.

Insights from the Videos:

schleich® and Montessori: Part 1

In this video, Aubrey Wallen, a Montessori educator and mom, provides an in-depth explanation of why giving your children realistic animal toys is essential to learning.

She describes how:

• Realistic animal toys inform kids' impressions of what animals are like in their natural environments
• Animals are an easy way to introduce children to the real world
• Children naturally gravitate toward animal

Read full article, Why Authentic Toys Matter - schleich® and Montessori: Part 1.

schleich® and Montessori: Part 2

In this video, Aubrey Wallen, a mom and Montessori educator, helps families apply Montessori principles in their home. Learn more about ways you can practice Montessori concepts on the go with schleich® toys.

• Montessori principles go everywhere a child goes -- not just in a classroom
• As children grow and change, their play patterns change
• schleich® toys are versatile to offer children new ways to learn and discover as they grow and go

Read full article, Learning and Playing on the Go - schleich® and Montessori: Part 2.

schleich® and Montessori: Part 3

In this video, Aubrey Wallen, a mom and Montessori educator, provides an in-depth explanation of how realistic animal toys from schleich® allow children to learn in ways that make sense for them as they grow. Learn more about ways you can incorporate Montessori concepts through play with schleich® toys.

• Montessori is an educational philosophy that follows children as they grow
• Montessori allows adults to use their environment to help children learn in the style that is right for them
• From tactile play to expanding vocabulary and storytelling, schleich® toys are ideal for Montessori learning for kids ages 3-12

Read full article, Toys that Grow with Your Child - schleich® and Montessori: Part 3.

schleich® and Montessori: Part 4

In this video, Aubrey Wallen, a mom and Montessori educator, provides an in-depth explanation of the benefits of play for children. Learn more about ways you can practice Montessori concepts on the go with schleich® toys.

• Young children (ages 3-5) enjoy playing by imitating and making the stories their own
• As children grow, they expand their play into concepts and scenarios they gain exposure to through books, songs, and stories
• The realistic details of schleich® Farm World toys help make abstract ideas concrete for children

Read full article, Why Play Matters - schleich® and Montessori: Part 4.

schleich® and Montessori: Part 5

In this video, Aubrey Wallen, a mom and Montessori educator, explains how the realistic details of schleich® toys make play meaningful for children. Learn more about why authentic, durable animal toys are so important to children during their developmental years.

• schleich® toys are crafted with unparalleled realism—from the texture of the animals to their facial expressions and postures
• Realistic details are important. Kids at a young age are learning about the world and their environment through play
• Children don't just play indoors. They play outdoors in wet or dirty environments; the best toys hold up to the conditions wherever children play

Read full article, Realistic Details Fuel Play - schleich® and Montessori: Part 5.

schleich® and Montessori: Part 6

In this video, Aubrey Wallen, a mom and Montessori educator, explains the role parents play in supporting purposeful and meaningful play with their kids. Learn more about ways you can be an active observer and support of your child's play with schleich® toys.

• Connect with your children by actively observing how they play
• Offer supportive language to help your child create stories while they play
• Ask open-ended questions and follow your child's lead
• Extend play by introducing new characters and offering new vocabulary where appropriate
• Use schleich® toys to get the gears of play purring

Read full article, Parents' Role in Supporting & Extending Play - schleich® and Montessori: Part 6.

Want more lesson ideas? Visit www.schleich-s.com/en/US/montessori.

The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.