I think these are two great montessori toys. The maze tray is for ages 2 and up. Basically, the child tilts the tray to move a ball through the simple line to make it drop in teh hole with a "clack". A simple version of foozeball! It is supposed to help
develop essential eye-hand coordination and motor planning skills.
Sturdy hardwood construction. Includes wooden ball. $42 at http://www.earlyschoolmaterials.com

The other one I love is this Five
Bolt Board. Birch is obsessed with threading the top of the water bottle off and on right now.
The five bolt board is perfect for the development of these fine motor
skills. "Children unscrew the nuts ranging in size from 6/32" to 3/8".
Once they have removed the 5 nuts, the children then have to find the
right nut to screw back onto each bolt. The nuts are fairly small and
will help children develop isolated finger movements. The board is made
of finest hardwood, and the nuts and bolts are stainless steel, so they
will never rust." $18.50 at http://www.earlyschoolmaterials.com

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2. Great Wooden Toys (May 28th, 2009)
3. Handmade Toys Go Down the Drain? (January 7th, 2009)
4. Toys and Strollers and Furniture (October 22nd, 2008)
5. Life Toys (May 22nd, 2008)