A working glossary for parents, grandparents, and educators. Covers brands, methodologies, safety standards, developmental terms, and common acronyms. Use browser search (Ctrl/Cmd-F) to find a specific term.
Association Montessori Internationale. The training organization founded by Maria Montessori in 1929. AMI-certified materials and schools follow strict methodology.
The US consumer safety standard for toys. Toys sold in the US for children under 14 must comply.
Play that builds emotional security — eye contact games, back-and-forth imitation, joint attention.
A pedal-less bike that teaches balance first. Kids usually skip training wheels entirely after a balance bike.
A Canadian toy brand known for pretend-play toy sets and learning materials.
Standard hardwood building blocks sized as multiples of a base unit. The classic “unit block” set.
Manufactured without bisphenol A. All toys sold for ages 0–3 in the US are BPA-free under CPSIA.
Sensory tools worn as jewelry that are safe to bite. Used for oral-motor regulation.
A group activity in preschool / daycare where kids sit in a circle for songs, stories, or discussion.
A toy with one right answer or use (shape sorter, puzzle). Complements open-ended toys.
A game where players work together against the game, not each other. Great for ages 3–6.
Consumer Product Safety Commission. The US agency that regulates toy safety and issues recalls.
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (2008). Sets US toy safety standards for lead, phthalates, small parts.
Age-typical skills (walking, first words). Milestone ranges are wide; individual variation is normal.
Do-it-yourself. In toys, often refers to making or assembling play materials at home.
Lego's preschool-age line. Larger blocks, safer for ages 18mo–5.
State-funded therapy and support services for kids ages 0–3 with developmental delays.
Broadly: toys made of natural or recycled materials, produced with lower environmental impact.
Skills like planning, self-control, working memory. Open-ended play builds EF.
A small manipulable object for tactile regulation. Common for kids with ADHD or SPD.
Small-muscle movements (pincer grasp, threading, writing). Contrasts with gross motor.
A German toy brand making Waldorf-aligned wooden and cloth toys, especially the iconic Rainbow Stacker.
Large-muscle movements (walking, throwing, climbing). Contrasts with fine motor.
A toy or clothing item passed from an older sibling, cousin, or friend's child.
A major toy manufacturer focused on wooden toys, pretend-play, and music.
A high-quality toy designed to last for multiple children — decades of use.
Also called ‘treasure basket play.’ Babies explore everyday objects (no traditional toys) for sensory discovery.
Individualized Education Program. A school-level plan for kids with learning differences.
Play that invents scenarios, characters, stories. Same as pretend play.
Ages 0–12 months.
A monthly STEM / art subscription box for ages 0–14+. Different model from toy rental.
The period (typically 18–24 months) when vocabulary expands rapidly.
A tall, sturdy kid-height platform that lets toddlers reach kitchen counters safely.
Natural or recycled objects (shells, stones, buttons) used for open-ended play.
A US subscription box sending Montessori-aligned toys every 2–3 months. Ages 0–4.
A US toy brand known for wooden toys, pretend-play sets, and classic puzzles.
Magnetic building tiles. One of the highest-engagement open-ended toys for ages 3–8.
An educational method developed by Maria Montessori emphasizing independence, prepared environment, and self-directed learning.
An AMI-certified Montessori subscription box for ages 0–3.
A toy or activity with no single right answer. Blocks, dolls, art supplies.
Kids playing near each other but not with each other. Normal at ages 1–3.
Plastic softeners restricted by CPSIA in children's toys.
Picking up an object with thumb and forefinger. Emerges around 9–12 months.
A Thai brand known for sustainable wooden toys made from rubberwood.
Soft, pliable modeling compound. Can be homemade or store-bought.
Large square of thin silk in solid colors. Used as capes, rivers, castles in pretend play.
Montessori category: real-life skills (pouring, sweeping, peeling) practiced with child-sized tools.
Montessori concept: a space designed for child-led exploration, with accessible materials at child height.
Symbolic play where a child imagines objects or roles (a block as a phone, becoming a doctor).
Awareness of body position. Heavy-work activities (pushing, pulling, carrying) build proprioceptive input.
Reggio Emilia term: an inviting arrangement that sparks investigation.
A CPSC or brand-initiated removal of a toy due to safety issues. Check CPSC.gov/Recalls.
A child-led educational approach from post-WWII Italy emphasizing environment as ‘third teacher.’
Adjusting support so a child can reach the next level of a skill. Vygotsky's zone of proximal development.
Repeated play patterns (transporting, enveloping, positioning). Kids cycle through schemas developmentally.
Montessori concept: windows when a child is especially receptive to specific skills (language, order, movement).
Montessori category: toys that isolate specific sensory qualities (pink tower = size, red rods = length).
A container of sensory material (rice, beans, sand) plus scooping tools. Open-ended sensory play.
An OT-designed sequence of sensory activities for a child with SPD.
Difficulty integrating sensory input. May be seeking or avoiding.
True sharing solidifies around age 3–4. Before that, expect parallel play and possessiveness.
Speech-Language Pathologist. Works with kids on language delays and speech.
Parts that fit inside a 1.25-inch cylinder. Choking hazards for ages 0–3.
Playing alone. Normal and healthy across ages.
STEM + Arts. Same educational frame, broader category.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math. Educational toy category.
Recognizing small quantities without counting (seeing 3 dots, knowing it's 3). Math-readiness skill.
Using objects to represent other things. Emerges ~18 months.
A misspelling of ToyDash. We see this a lot.
Us. Southern Utah toy rental service.
Time spent on their stomach for infants. Builds neck and core strength.
Standard-sized hardwood building block. Multiples of a base measurement.
Balance system, inner-ear driven. Swinging, spinning, rolling activate vestibular input.
An educational approach from Rudolf Steiner emphasizing rhythm, imagination, and natural materials.
A Melissa & Doug reusable water-paint book line. No-mess art for travel.
Rotating-toy library delivered to your door in Southern Utah. Pause or cancel any time.
See plans & pricing →