Infant / Toddler Shelf: 2-Tier (73.5 X 30 X 64 cm)
Made by Nienhuis Montessori · shipped by Heutink International (Netherlands) About the maker
Two tiers at 64 cm, for the older end of the infant and toddler room where a child is walking confidently and can reach a second level. The narrower 73.5 cm width suits it to a corner or to dividing a space into a quieter area, which becomes useful once children in the same room are at very different stages. Same principle as the low shelf: few materials, all of them visible, all of them reachable without asking. Plywood with laminate, 73.5 x 30 x 64 cm.
“The senses, being explorers of the world, open the way to knowledge.”
The two-tier shelf at 64 cm height positions materials at the infant and toddler's natural eye level, enabling independent choice and fostering decision-making from the earliest stages. This open shelf unit with its 73.5 cm width provides ample space for arranging materials in an orderly, predictable manner that young children can understand and navigate.
- Visual scanning and material selection from organized shelf displays
- Spatial awareness through navigating the two-tier structure
- Order and sequence recognition from consistent material placement
- Independent decision-making through accessible material choices
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The exposed plywood edges of this two-tier design create visual boundaries that help toddlers distinguish between different activity areas while maintaining the accessibility essential for autonomous exploration. By placing materials on these low, open shelves rather than in bins or behind doors, we respect the child's need to see all available choices and exercise their emerging will through selection. The 30 cm depth of each shelf tier accommodates typical Montessori infant/toddler materials while preventing overcrowding that might overwhelm the young child's developing visual discrimination abilities.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Position the shelf against a wall at child height. Arrange 3-4 materials per shelf with clear space between each. Place most-used materials on the lower tier for easier infant access.
- 1
Introduce the shelf by sitting with the child at their eye level, pointing to each material slowly
Use simple language: 'basket here, blocks here' - 2
Model taking one material from the shelf using both hands
Move slowly and deliberately to show the careful handling expected - 3
After using the material, return it to the exact same spot on the shelf
Make the returning process as engaging as the selection process - 4
Observe as the child attempts to select and return materials independently
Resist correcting minor placement errors initially - precision develops with practice
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
In classrooms
Around the world
European brands
Nienhuis, GAM, Educo
Infant / Toddler Shelf: 2-Tier (73.5 X 30 X 64 cm)
