10+ Best Montessori Books for 1-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect Montessori books for 1-year-olds to kickstart your little one's learning journey? You're in the right place! Montessori methods focus on nurturing a child's own thirst for knowledge, and what better way to begin than with the right books? Keep reading as we explore a variety of Montessori books designed just for 1-year-olds, each crafted to engage, educate, and excite your toddler's developing mind. Let’s dive in!

Fun Montessori Books for 1-Year-Olds

• First 100 Words by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Early Learning, Vocabulary
  • Synopsis: A simple book that introduces babies and toddlers to a collection of essential words across various topics like animals, food, and everyday objects.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed with bright, colorful pictures that capture the attention of young readers, helping them to start building their vocabulary early on.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers beginning to explore words and pictures.

• Montessori: Letter Work by Bobby George, illustrated by June George
  • Genre(s): Educational, Alphabet
  • Synopsis: This book introduces letters through tactile, sandpaper letters, following the Montessori method to engage touch and sound learning senses.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children to associate letter shapes with their sounds, enhancing their pre-reading skills in a hands-on, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are starting to show interest in letters and early reading concepts.

• Montessori: Number Work by Bobby George, illustrated by June George
  • Genre(s): Counting, Educational
  • Synopsis: Similar to "Letter Work," this book uses tactile numbers to teach young children about counting and basic math.
  • Why we recommend this book: The tactile approach makes it easier for toddlers to understand numbers and basic math concepts, promoting early numeracy skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are curious about numbers and basic counting.

• Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Conceptual, Shapes, Animals
  • Synopsis: This book features pages cut into shapes which can be turned to reveal different animals, teaching children about shapes and colors through the creation of animal faces.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces basic concepts of geometry and art in a playful and visually stimulating way.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy colorful visuals and learning about animals and shapes.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Story, Classic
  • Synopsis: A gentle, poetic text that bids goodnight to everything in the "great green room" and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, calming narrative makes it an ideal bedtime read, helping children wind down at the end of the day.
  • Perfect for: Children ready for a soothing story before bedtime.

Educational Montessori Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Baby's Very First Touchy-Feely Animals Book by Stella Baggott
  • Genre(s): Touch and Feel, Animals
  • Synopsis: This interactive board book features various textures that babies can touch and feel, each page introducing a different animal.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory development, animal recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages tactile exploration, which is a key part of sensory development in infants.
  • Perfect for: Babies who are beginning to explore the world through touch.

• My First Montessori Book of Shapes by Agnese Baruzzi
  • Genre(s): Educational, Shapes
  • Synopsis: This Montessori-inspired book teaches young children about different shapes through engaging, hands-on board pages.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Shape recognition, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a tactile approach that aligns with Montessori principles, making learning shapes interactive and fun.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers developing an interest in shapes and early geometry.

• Montessori: Map Work by Bobby George, illustrated by Alyssa Nassner
  • Genre(s): Geography, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young children to the world of geography through beautifully illustrated maps and engaging, tactile features.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Spatial awareness, basic geography
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies complex geographical concepts to a level that's understandable for toddlers, using the Montessori method of tactile learning.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers eager to learn about different places around the world.

• The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies, illustrated by Hiyoko Imai
  • Genre(s): Parenting, Educational
  • Synopsis: Although not exclusively a children's book, it provides parents and educators with tools and insights on how to apply Montessori principles to the upbringing of toddlers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of Montessori principles, parenting techniques
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great resource for parents looking to integrate Montessori methods into their daily routines with toddlers.
  • Perfect for: Parents and caregivers of toddlers who are interested in Montessori education.

Challenging Montessori Books for 1-Year-Olds

• Montessori Play and Learn by Lesley Britton
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book is a practical guide filled with activities and play ideas for parents and educators to use with young children, inspired by Montessori principles.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces structured play activities that require focus and engagement from young children, which are advanced concepts for a 1-year-old.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a variety of creative and educational activities that promote early cognitive development and motor skills in a fun, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Parents and educators who want to incorporate Montessori methods into playtime with very young children.

• Montessori from the Start by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen
  • Genre(s): Parenting, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book focuses on applying Montessori principles from birth to age three, covering cognitive and physical development through practical activities.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into developmental psychology and Montessori techniques that are typically beyond the comprehension of a 1-year-old but are intended to be applied by caregivers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It is a thorough guide for parents to understand and nurture their child's development in the critical first three years using Montessori principles.
  • Perfect for: Parents and caregivers looking for a deep dive into early childhood development from a Montessori perspective.

• Teach Me to Do It Myself by Maja Pitamic
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: The book includes a range of Montessori-inspired activities that encourage young children to develop skills in areas such as life skills, art, and motor coordination.
  • Why this book is challenging: It offers activities that are designed to push the boundaries of what young children typically manage, encouraging independence and self-directed learning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It empowers children by teaching them to perform tasks by themselves, fostering early independence and confidence.
  • Perfect for: Young children and their parents who are interested in activities that promote self-reliance and practical skills.

• Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-Fives by David Gettman
  • Genre(s): Educational, Montessori Method
  • Synopsis: This book outlines a variety of learning activities based on the Montessori method that are suitable for children under five years old, focusing on developing their senses, language, and motor skills.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces a structured learning approach typically used in Montessori schools, adapted for home use with very young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a clear, practical guide for parents to facilitate early learning in a structured yet engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Parents who want to implement Montessori activities at home to boost their child's early development.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

When introducing Montessori principles to your 1-year-old, it's all about creating a nurturing environment that encourages exploration and learning at their own pace. Here are some tailored exercises that can help lay the foundation for good reading habits using Montessori books designed for this age group:

• Touch and Feel Book Exploration
  • What it is: Provide books with varied textures for your child to explore.
  • How it helps: Stimulates sensory development and connects the sense of touch with new vocabulary.
  • Tips: Guide your child’s hand to feel different textures while naming them to enhance word association.

• Picture Walks
  • What it is: Flip through the pages of a book with your child, focusing on the images without reading the text.
  • How it helps: Encourages visual literacy and story prediction skills.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures, like "What do you think is happening here?"

• Simple Sorting of Books
  • What it is: Encourage your child to sort books based on size, color, or type (board books, cloth books).
  • How it helps: Develops organizational skills and categorization abilities.
  • Tips: Start with clear and simple categories to avoid confusion and ensure success.

• Book Basket Selection
  • What it is: Create a low shelf or a reachable basket filled with a variety of Montessori-friendly books.
  • How it helps: Promotes independence as they choose what book to read.
  • Tips: Rotate the books regularly to maintain interest and introduce new topics.

• Read Aloud Sessions
  • What it is: Regularly read books aloud to your child, using expressive tones and voices.
  • How it helps: Builds listening skills, vocabulary, and an understanding of narrative structure.
  • Tips: Let your child pick the book for the session to increase their engagement.

• Name the Object
  • What it is: While reading, point to and name different objects or characters in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances word-object association and memory.
  • Tips: Repeat the names often and encourage your child to point and name objects as well.

• Story Repetition
  • What it is: Choose a favorite book and read it repeatedly over several sessions.
  • How it helps: Helps in memorizing the text and understanding the story’s sequence.
  • Tips: Pause at key points and ask your child to tell you what comes next.

These exercises are designed to be simple yet effective for very young learners. By integrating these activities into your daily routine, you’re not just reading with your child; you’re building a strong foundation for a lifelong love of books. Remember, the goal is to make reading a fun and interactive part of your child's day, so keep the sessions light and enjoyable. Happy reading!