my world, my true

Inspired by Tim Seldin’s How To Raise An Amazing Child: The Montessori Way (a super-easy, quick and great read, by the way), I have been making “Treasure Baskets” for both of my kids to explore. Below is one of the ones I have made for Lately. 

1. Wooden Egg

2. Scrap Fabric (furry on one side, silky on the other)

3. Pair of baby spoons (she’s just begun bringing 2 items together in front of her & loves banging them together)

4. Soft cloth ball

5. Cloth rattle/teether (perfect for young babies just learning to grasp, this was the first toy she really enjoyed holding)

6. Velour jewelery box (Knox has one of these in his as well for an open/close activity, he also likes to hide small things in his box)

7. Ribbon

8. Small satchel of coffee beans (such a wonderful sensory experience for a baby - rattling beans sound, wonderful smell, fun to touch and find the beans inside the bag. Easy to switch out with different aromas such as lavender, mint, cinnamon sticks)

9. Seashell

10. Wool owl finger puppet

11. Napkin ring

12. Interlocking Discs

13. Leather scrap

The basic idea is to gather items for your child to explore. I’m sure you’ve noticed how much babies love (NEED) to touch everything. A treasure basket is full of contrasting textures for them to discover in their hands and mouths. Rotating out it’s contents often is key, as they love to find and feel new things all the time. She loves taking things out of the basket on her own, touching and tasting them. 

Knox’s treasure baskets are much different now that he knows not to put certain things in his mouth. He also loves to find his own items to put in the basket now when we go on our nature walks. I’ll post more about his treasure basket soon, but wanted to share this fun, easy way to provide your baby with a perfect sensory experience that speaks to all of her deepest desires! Now, go make your baby one and share your ideas!