There was a time when finding quality wooden educational
toys for the under 3s wasn’t that easy in Australia. That’s no longer the
case.
Sydney-based company, Classic Baby, has created a range of
Montessori toys that brings the classroom right into the living room of parents
and carers.
Staying true to Dr Maria Montessori’s original concept, the
environmentally friendly, wooden toys are designed to help parents give their
child a Montessori education at home. Each toy comes with simple specific
instructions on how to get the most from the toy, and importantly, any parent
can do it.
So how did the range come about? “The first three years of a
child’s life is crucial in terms of brain development and their needs just
weren’t being met,” said Angela O’Connell, owner of Classic Baby and a parent
herself. “I would often hear mothers say they were struggling to find
stimulating activities for their little ones. Their babies wanted to explore
with their hands but the plastic toys did everything for them - made noise,
flashed lights, talked, moved - they didn’t leave anything to the imagination.”
This is all the more concerning given that most of the
connections among brain cells are made during infancy and early childhood, and
why it is imperative for babies to experience early interaction, explore,
repeat and manipulate materials during this time.
Ferne van Zyl, Director of Down Under 3, a Sydney Montessori
centre for Birth – 3yrs, met with Angela O’Connell while the range was
undergoing research and development. “It was fantastic to see an Australian
business not only producing quality Montessori materials, but taking that extra
step by providing the educational instruction that goes with them.”
The products in the range have been manufactured for Classic
Baby and the woods used are sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified forests
making Classic Baby part of a global effort to provide products that meet the highest
environmental standards.
The benefits of the Montessori Method are heralded across
the world, with leading entrepreneurs such as Google creators, Larry Page and
Sergey Brin, and Amazon.com’s, Jeff Bezos, having thrived under its system.
The Montessori method encourages the learner to think for
themselves. With Classic Baby’s new range, every parent and carer can set their
child on the path to self-confidence, self-motivation, self-discipline and a
lifelong passion for learning.
The complete range of Classic Baby Montessori toys can be seen
and ordered online at Toys range from AUD $10 – $55