Animals & Figurines
Montessori Farm Animals Counting & Sorting Set - 20 Pieces
10 farm animals and 10 numbered barns. Animals double as finger puppets; barns have numbered lids for counting, matching, and sorting.
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How to Use This Toy for Talking
Let your child explore first — follow their lead. Watch what they look at, copy what they do, and add words to their ideas rather than directing the play. Then weave in the goals below for your child's level. A few minutes of shared, chatty play beats a long structured session every time.
Speech Goals by Level
Pick your child's level — not sure? Read the level guide. Each level shows goals for understanding (receptive language — what your child takes in) and using words (expressive language — what they say). Understanding usually comes first, so it's completely normal for the two to be at different levels. And every card has a step down and a step up — meet your child where they are on the day.
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Bronze · First Words
Understanding · receptive
- Match each animal to its barn
- Point to animals when named
Using words · expressive
- Name each animal
- Say 'in!' as animals go in barns
Key concepts
- Animal names
- In/out
- Numbers 1-10
Finding it tricky? Drop all demands. Just play side by side and say the words for them — hearing words with zero pressure to speak is still powerful learning.
Too easy? If they copy words easily and use lots on their own, peek at Silver: take their word and add one of yours ('pop!' becomes 'big pop!').
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Silver · Phrases
Understanding · receptive
- Follow 'Put the cow in barn number 3'
Using words · expressive
- 'Pig in!'
- 'Open the barn!'
- 'Where's the cow?'
Language structures
- Noun + location (pig in)
- Question words (where)
Finding it tricky? Step back to the Bronze single words. Say their word, then add just ONE more ('ball' → 'big ball') — no need for them to repeat it.
Too easy? If two-word phrases are flowing, start modelling the Gold sentences during play and leave a pause — many children will surprise you.
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Gold · Sentences & Stories
Sentences to model · expressive
- 'The cow is hiding in the red barn!'
- 'Let's count all the animals — one, two, three!'
Higher language
- Hiding/finding games with descriptive language
- Counting sequences
- Finger puppet conversations
Finding it tricky? Shrink your sentences back to the Silver phrases and slow right down — long sentences are harder to process in the middle of exciting play.
Too easy? Move into storytelling: ask 'what happened?' after play, retell it together, or explore the final bands of the Talking Journey.
Julia's Parent Tip
Hide an animal behind a barn and ask 'Who's in there?' — the anticipation naturally makes children want to guess and say the animal's name. This is called a 'communication temptation,' and speech pathologists use it every day to encourage children to use their words.
Ready to turn this toy into talk time?
Grab it on Amazon, then come back to this page during play — the goals work best with the toy in hand.
