Small objects are a staple in a Montessori classroom. Children (and adults too honestly) find these small trinkets endearing and captivating, making it almost irresistible to play and learn with. If you’re just starting out, you’ll need small objects for sound games, phonetic and phonogram work, as well as other language activities. Sometimes it’s helpful to have many of the same object for math activities too.

Sound Games

As the traditional sound games are looking at all the sounds in a word, (beginning, ending, middle), any objects will work here. However, if you are looking to match objects to our Color Coded Sound Games, you’ll need 3 of each beginning common phonetic sound and short vowel sound. We’ve partnered with Teach Me How Collective to make this easy for you! Find the matching set of objects for sale here.

Phonetic Work

In the Montessori classroom, small objects that represent a phonetic word are a cornerstone of early reading activities. Finding these objects can be a bit trickier, so it’s helpful to have a list if you are sourcing these objects on your own. Otherwise, you can purchase a set of phonetic objects from places like Montessori Services or Teach Me How Collective. Erin has graciously created a set of her wonderful objects that match our Short Vowel Object and Label and Blends work, which you can purchase here.

Phonogram Work

You will also want to have a collection of phonogram objects for using with the single color moveable alphabets and phonogram family studies. These objects I find are the trickiest of all to source. Each of these objects must include one digraph, final e, or vowel partner with the rest of the word only including phonetic letters. Words like “shoe” have two phonograms, the sh and the oe. A “goat” object would work well, as only the vowel partner oa is non-phonetic in this word. Note: If you are following our Phonogram Reading Program, words and objects build on previously mastered sounds. So the word “saxophone” can be read by a child when they reach the “ph” sound drawer.

Stuck on letter sounds?

Check out my color coded sound games for 8 printable fun activities that practice these building block sounds for reading. Available in print and cursive.

It is always a good idea to keep an eye out for tiny objects as a Montessori guide! Check around your home, school, or office first. Erin also recommends looking at craft store buttons, dollhouse miniatures, scrapbook embellishments, game pieces, small toys, and jewelry charms. If you are crafty, you may be able to make a few miniatures on your own.

Safari Ltd makes many miniatures as Toobs and Good Luck Minis. These can sometimes work for phonetic and phonogram objects, but will always work for sound games. I also like to use these as a matching activity for other reading work, as the sets are themed.

I would argue you can never have too many small objects! Happy collecting!