• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Living Montessori Now

Montessori Inspiration for Parents and Teachers

  • HOME
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • PR/Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
  • About Montessori
    • About Montessori
    • Resources
    • ABCs of Montessori
    • Overview
    • Principles
    • Free Printables
    • Materials
    • Homeschool Classroom and Materials
      • Circle Time Activities
    • Techniques
    • Training
      • Free Montessori Video Lessons
    • Inspiration
  • Activities
    • Circle Time Activities
    • Art
    • Cultural
    • Language
    • Math
    • Practical Life
    • Practical Life – Grace and Courtesy
    • Sensorial
    • Unit Studies
    • PreK + K Sharing
    • Monthly Themed Activities
    • Holidays and Celebrations
  • Homeschooling
    • Homeschooling
    • Homeschool High School
    • Montessori Homeschool Classroom and Materials
    • Unit Studies
    • PreK + K Sharing
    • Circle Time Activities
    • Monthly Themed Activities
    • Holidays and Celebrations
    • Free Montessori Video Lessons
  • Free Printables
    • Free Printables
    • Sign up for the Living Montessori Now Newsletter & Get Monthly Subscriber Freebies!
    • More Than 13 Years’ Worth of Free Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities
    • Free Montessori Geography Album
  • Holidays
    • Resources for Upcoming Holidays
    • Holidays and Celebrations
  • Subscribe
    • Sign up for the Living Montessori Now Newsletter & Get Monthly Subscriber Freebies!
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Products
    • My Products

Simple Godly Play for Toddlers during Advent

December 10, 2015 By Deb Chitwood Leave a Comment

I love the Montessori-based religious education program Godly Play for preschoolers through elementary-age kids. But what about your toddler? In a simplified form, Godly Play can be used for toddlers, too.

My 2-year-old granddaughter, Zoey, spontaneously discovered a wonderful way for her to experience the mystery of Christmas.

Simple Godly Play for Toddlers during Advent

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).

Simple Godly Play for Toddlers during Advent

I’ve always kept our nativity set on the kitchen counter. Two days ago, Zoey asked to touch it. When I brought it down for her to look at, she loved playing with the figures.

Yesterday, Zoey asked to touch the Nativity set again. This time, I brought the Learning Tower over for Zoey to work at the counter with the Nativity set.

Simple Godly Play for Toddlers during Advent – YouTube Video

This is what Zoey did.

I was awed by Zoey’s spontaneous whispering and reverence while playing with the Nativity set.

Cradling Baby Jesus from the Nativity Set

Cradling Baby Jesus from the Nativity Set

Even though she’s never had a formal Godly Play lesson, she understood the spirit of Godly Play.

Proud of Her Nativity Work

Proud of Her Nativity Work

We didn’t show it in the video, but Zoey repeated the entire activity more than once.

Godly Play Resources

How to Use Godly Play at Home During Advent

To learn more about Godly Play during Advent, see my post on “How to Use Godly Play at Home during Advent.”

Ideas for Using the Nativity Set with a Toddler

I always like to introduce the First Christmas with a children’s picture book. You can see which ones we use in my Christmas book basket post. Here are some other options (ignore the ones that aren’t about “the first Christmas”):


If you have a Learning Tower, you’ll find using the Learning Tower next to the counter can be a great way for your toddler to use the Nativity set when he or she wants to work next to you. It’s a perfect activity while you’re busy working in the kitchen.

Part of the time, you’ll probably want to have your toddler use the Nativity set at a child-size table. You could keep it at the table or even have it on a tray on the shelf for your child to carry to the table.

It’s nice if you can get a beautiful Nativity set … fitting with the Montessori principle of beauty in the environment.

 

Nativity Set with Fontanini by Roman Figures

Nativity Set with Fontanini by Roman Figures


 

Cradling Baby Jesus from the Nativity Set

Cradling Baby Jesus from the Nativity Set

Deb - Signature

Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!

If this is your first time visiting Living Montessori Now, welcome! If you haven’t already, please join us on our Living Montessori Now Facebook page where you’ll find a Free Printable of the Day and lots of inspiration and ideas for parenting and teaching! And please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest (lots of Montessori-, holiday-, and theme-related boards), and YouTube. While you’re here, please check out the Living Montessori Now shop.

And don’t forget one of the best ways to follow me by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You’ll receive some awesome freebies in the process!

 

Filed Under: Godly Play, Montessori Homeschool Classroom and Materials, Montessori-Based Religious Education Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Godly Play, homeschool, Montessori, Montessori-based religious education, Nativity, simple Godly Play for Toddlers, toddler, toddlers

Previous Post: « Kid-Made Sparkly Craft-Stick Christmas Tree Ornament {Montessori-Inspired Learning Activity Included}
Next Post: Quick and Easy Christmas Playdough Activity {Montessori Monday} »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

What Are You Looking For?

Spark Curiosity Mega Bundle 95% Off – Ends June 24!

Spark Curiosity Mega Bundle 95% Off!

...and get free geography album, monthly subscriber freebie, and access to the Living Montessori Now Resource Library! 

 I respect your privacy

Categories

Shop Living Montessori Now!

Living Montessori Now Sponsors

Montessori Print Shop

Alison's Montessori
Montessori for the Earth

Popular Posts

Categories

Archives

I Recommend (My Affiliates)

Montessori by Mom

Shop Montessori Services
Shop For Small Hands

How to Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding, or Yelling



Shop KiwiCo

Shop Little Passports for Award-Winning Adventure

Printed Alphabet Wood Tracing Board

Little Passports

Footer

Connect with LMN



Supervision

The activities shared on this blog require adult supervision at all times. You know which activities are appropriate for your children and/or the children under your care and are responsible for those children's safety.

You Can Also Find Me

Bits of Positivity PreK + K Sharing Spring Snow Publications

Subscribe by Email


Copyright © 2025 Deb Chitwood · Web Design & Hosting · Servously.com