7 Types of Movement That Boost Brain Development in Children (Montessori-Inspired Guide)

Movement is more than just play — it’s how children build strong, healthy brains. From crawling to climbing, Montessori education reminds us that purposeful movement is key to concentration, independence, and whole-child development. When children move, they are not just exercising their bodies; they are also strengthening the pathways that connect their brains.

Here are seven powerful types of movement every parent can introduce at home to support learning and development.

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1. Cross-Lateral Movements (Cross-Pattern Movements)

Ages: From 6 months (crawling stage) up to 10 years+

Examples: Crawling on hands and knees, “cross-crawl” marching (touching right elbow to left knee), climbing playground ladders.

Brain Benefits: Builds connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, improving reading, writing, and problem-solving.

Best Time to Initiate: As soon as your child starts crawling. Keep incorporating through preschool and early primary school.

THLN At-Home Ideas: Make a “movement path” where your child crawls under a table, climbs over a cushion, and marches across the room with cross-body steps.

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2. Vestibular Movements (Balance & Spinning Activities)

Ages: 1 year and up

Examples: Swinging, rolling down a grassy hill, spinning in circles, balancing on a beam.

Brain Benefits: Strengthens balance, coordination, spatial awareness, and focus. Supports calmness and emotional regulation.

Best Time to Initiate: As soon as toddlers can sit, stand, and explore safely.

THLN At-Home Ideas: Use a safe indoor swing, let your child roll on a yoga ball, or practice “walking the line” (a classic Montessori balance activity).

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3. Proprioceptive Movements (Deep Pressure & Body Awareness)

Ages: Toddlers to teens

Examples: Jumping, carrying weighted objects, crawling through tunnels, pushing/pulling carts.

Brain Benefits: Helps children understand where their bodies are in space, reduces anxiety, and builds core strength.

Best Time to Initiate: Anytime, especially when your child seems restless or overstimulated.

THLN At-Home Ideas: Encourage your child to carry laundry to the basket, push a box across the floor, or build a cushion fort to crawl through.

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4. Rhythmic Movements (Patterned, Repetitive Motion)

Ages: Infants to early childhood

Examples: Rocking, bouncing, clapping games, drumming, or dancing to music.

Brain Benefits: Develops timing, rhythm, and neural organization. Supports reading readiness, language, and self-regulation.

Best Time to Initiate: From infancy — think gentle rocking and lullabies — and continue through preschool.

THLN At-Home Ideas: Play clapping games, use pots as drums, or sway together to calming music before bedtime.

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5. Fine Motor Movements (Hand & Finger Skills)

Ages: 1 year and up

Examples: Stringing beads, pouring water, cutting with child-safe scissors, tracing letters.

Brain Benefits: Strengthens hand-eye coordination, prepares for writing, improves concentration.

Best Time to Initiate: Once your toddler shows interest in picking up and manipulating small objects.

THLN At-Home Ideas: Use Montessori trays for spooning beans, practice opening/closing containers, or offer free printable tracing worksheets (coming soon on THLN!).

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6. Gross Motor Movements (Large Muscle Activities)

Ages: Birth through childhood

Examples: Crawling, running, jumping, climbing, skipping.

Brain Benefits: Builds muscle strength, stamina, and confidence. Supports social play and emotional well-being.

Best Time to Initiate: From the earliest months of rolling and crawling — it grows with your child.

THLN At-Home Ideas: Create an obstacle course with cushions, encourage outdoor play, or play “animal walks” (crab walk, bear crawl, frog jumps).

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7. Eye-Tracking & Visual Motor Movements (Visual Coordination)

Ages: Infancy to early primary

Examples: Following a moving ball, tracing lines, catching a beanbag, puzzles.

Brain Benefits: Strengthens focus, reading fluency, and hand-eye coordination.

Best Time to Initiate: From early baby play (watching mobiles) and throughout preschool years.

THLN At-Home Ideas: Blow bubbles and let your child pop them, play balloon toss, or trace zig-zag lines together.

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Closing Thoughts

Children don’t just move to burn energy — they move to learn. Each of these seven types of movement lays a foundation for brain growth, emotional balance, and future academic success. The Home Learning Nest encourages parents to embrace movement as learning, weaving it into everyday routines.

Want more Montessori-friendly activities to support your child at home? Get my book Teach from the Heart: A Parent’s Guide to Home Learning on Selar or on Selfany.

And don’t forget to connect with me on social media for daily tips and resources:

• 📘 Facebook: the home learning nest

• 📸 Instagram: @thehomelearningnest

The Benefits of Sensory Table Fillers for Early Childhood Development

A sensory table is more than just a fun activity space — it’s a treasure trove of learning opportunities for young children. When thoughtfully set up, it can spark curiosity, develop important skills, and encourage independent play. The key to making the most of this resource lies in what you put inside: the fillers.

From rice and sand to water beads and natural materials, sensory table fillers open up a world of exploration. Let’s explore the many ways they benefit early childhood development.

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1. Boosts Fine Motor Skills

Scooping, pouring, pinching, and sifting are all movements that strengthen the small muscles in a child’s hands and fingers. These skills are essential for tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and tying shoelaces later on.

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2. Encourages Scientific Thinking

Children naturally experiment while playing. They notice how objects sink or float, measure and compare quantities, and observe textures. Every sensory table session can be a mini science lab without them even realizing it.

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3. Promotes Language Development

Sensory play is rich with descriptive vocabulary: smooth, rough, squishy, soft, heavy, light. As children explore, you can introduce new words, ask open-ended questions, and encourage them to describe what they feel and see.

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4. Supports Emotional Regulation

The soothing nature of repetitive actions — such as pouring sand or swirling water — can help children calm down and self-regulate. Sensory tables are a safe space for them to explore emotions and find comfort in play.

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5. Encourages Cooperative Play

When several children gather around a sensory table, they learn to take turns, share tools, and work together. These social interactions build empathy and communication skills.

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6. Adaptable to Any Theme or Season

Sensory table fillers can change with the seasons or learning themes. In autumn, you might use dried corn kernels and small gourds; in summer, seashells and water. This flexibility keeps the activity fresh and engaging.

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Tips for Choosing Sensory Table Fillers

• Opt for safe, non-toxic materials.

• Consider allergies, ease of cleaning and storage.

• Consider age appropriateness — avoid small items for toddlers who still mouth objects.

• Rotate fillers regularly to maintain interest.

• Add tools like scoops, funnels, and sieves to extend play possibilities.

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15 Everyday Items You Can Use as Sensory Table Fillers

(Montessori-Inspired Play Ideas from The Home Learning Nest)

Sensory tables invite children to touch, scoop, pour, and explore — all while strengthening fine motor skills, building vocabulary, and encouraging imaginative play. The best part? You don’t need expensive materials to set one up. Many perfect sensory fillers are already in your kitchen cupboards, bathroom shelves, or backyard.

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1. Rice

How to use: Offer cups, scoops, funnels, and small containers for pouring and transferring. Hide small toys for a “treasure hunt.”
Benefits: Strengthens fine motor control, introduces measurement concepts, and promotes sensory vocabulary (“smooth,” “grainy”).

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2. Dry Pasta

How to use: Sort by shape or color, thread pasta onto string, or scoop and pour.
Benefits: Builds hand-eye coordination, pattern recognition, and pincer grasp.

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3. Beans or Lentils

How to use: Mix varieties for texture contrast, scoop into containers, or sort by size.
Benefits: Encourages tactile discrimination and develops counting and sorting skills.

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4. Water

How to use: Add cups, sponges, funnels, or floating toys; experiment with warm vs. cold water.
Benefits: Teaches concepts like sinking/floating, volume, and temperature; calming for emotional regulation.

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5. Sand

How to use: Dig with scoops, create shapes with molds, or bury “treasures” for discovery.
Benefits: Improves hand strength, creativity, and problem-solving.

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6. Oats

How to use: Pretend cooking play, mix with small farm animals, or scoop and pour.
Benefits: Soothing texture for sensory regulation, encourages imaginative storytelling.

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7. Ice Cubes

How to use: Add to water play, use tongs to transfer, or freeze small objects inside for excavation.
Benefits: Teaches cause and effect (melting), builds fine motor skills with cold handling.

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8. Cotton Balls

How to use: Pretend snow play, color sorting, or use tweezers for picking up.
Benefits: Strengthens grasp control, promotes color recognition.

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9. Pom-Poms

How to use: Scoop with spoons, sort by size, or toss into cups.
Benefits: Develops sorting, categorizing, and gentle handling skills.

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10. Nature Finds

How to use: Arrange leaves, pebbles, pinecones, and shells in patterns or sensory trails.
Benefits: Connects children to nature, introduces seasonal vocabulary, and encourages observation skills.

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11. Birdseed

How to use: Scoop into containers, pour through funnels, or hide small figurines.
Benefits: Strengthens fine motor skills, promotes sensory discrimination with mixed textures.

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12. Shredded Paper

How to use: Hide small toys for a scavenger hunt or use in themed pretend play (e.g., “nest” building).
Benefits: Promotes imaginative play, encourages problem-solving.

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13. Cornmeal or Flour

How to use: Draw shapes or letters with fingers, scoop into molds, or sift through a sieve.
Benefits: Supports early writing skills, enhances tactile sensitivity.

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14. Buttons (supervise closely)

How to use: Sort by color or size, count, or create patterns.
Benefits: Builds sorting and sequencing skills, visual discrimination.

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15. Small Fabric Scraps

How to use: Sort by texture, color, or size; pretend play with “clothing” for dolls.
Benefits: Enhances tactile awareness, teaches descriptive vocabulary (“silky,” “rough”).

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Final Thought

Sensory tables are more than just messy fun. The fillers you choose can nurture a child’s physical, cognitive, language, and emotional growth. Whether you’re a parent or educator, incorporating sensory play into your routine is a joyful way to support early learning — and with these 15 easy, affordable fillers, you can start today.

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If you’ve enjoyed this post and want to dive deeper into creating a nurturing, Montessori-aligned learning environment at home, my book Teach from the Heart – A Parent’s Guide to Home Learning is the perfect next step. It’s packed with practical tips, step-by-step activities, and easy-to-follow guidance for parents of nursery and primary children. Get your copy today on Selar or Selfany. Don’t forget to like, follow, and connect with me on social media for more home learning inspiration: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube. Let’s keep learning, growing, and teaching from the heart—together!

How Much Screen Time Is Too Much?

 

Montessori Meets Modern Life During the Holidays

As parents, we all want the best for our children—and in today’s digital world, screen time can feel both helpful and harmful. Especially during school holidays, screens can become a go-to tool for keeping little ones occupied. But how much is too much?

At The Home Learning Nest, I believe in a balanced, intentional approach. Using Montessori principles, research-based recommendations, and practical experience, here’s how I guide screen time in our home—and how you can too.

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🧠 What the Experts Say

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children aged 2–4 years should have no more than one hour of screen time per day, and even less is better. For children under 18 months, screen time (apart from video chatting) is generally discouraged.

But it’s important to remember that not all screen time is equal. There’s a big difference between a child passively watching cartoons and one engaging with a slow-paced, educational app while sitting beside a parent.

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🌱 The Montessori View on Screens

Maria Montessori didn’t live in a digital age, but her approach to early childhood development still applies beautifully.

In a Montessori-aligned environment:

• Children learn best through real experiences—touching, tasting, moving, building.

• Passive watching limits brain development, creativity, and practical life skills.

• Screen time, when used, should never replace hands-on learning or meaningful connection.

That said, Montessori at home should feel realistic and respectful of modern family life. Screens are part of our world—but we can use them intentionally, not as a default.

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📏 A Realistic Screen Time Guide by Age

Here’s a gentle, Montessori-inspired guide to managing screen time for young children during the holidays:

• 18–24 months:
  Minimal or no screen time. Focus on real-world interaction and language-rich environments.

• 2–3 years:
  30–60 minutes per day, preferably co-viewed, slow-paced, and educational.

• 4–6 years:
  Up to 1.5 hours per day. Choose Montessori-friendly programs, limit fast-paced transitions, and balance with active play and responsibilities.

🕒 Tip: Set a fixed screen time window (e.g., 3–4pm after lunch and nap) so children aren’t constantly asking.

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🧺 Screen-Free Alternatives That Actually Work

If you’re looking for ideas to gently reduce screen reliance, try these Montessori-friendly activities instead:

• Practical Life: sweeping, folding laundry, watering plants

• Sensory Play: pouring rice, scooping lentils, water play

• Outdoor Time: nature walks, bug hunting, sand or mud play

• Sorting & Matching: everyday items by size, color, or use

• Audio Books or Music: calm, screen-free engagement

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💛 A Gentle Reminder

It’s not about perfection—it’s about intention.

Your child won’t be harmed by occasional screen time, especially when it’s slow-paced, shared, and part of a rich, responsive home environment. What matters is balance—and the everyday choices we make to raise capable, curious, and connected children.

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📘 Want More Montessori-Aligned Ideas?

Take the guesswork out of home learning with my digital guide:
🌿 Teach from the Heart – A Parent’s Guide to Home Learning
🎉 Now available on 🔗 Selar and Selfany