“We must give the child an environment that he can utilize by himself:

a little washstand of his own, a bureau with drawers he can open,

objects of common use that he can operate, a small bed in which he can sleep at night

under an attractive blanket he can fold and spread by himself.

We must give him an environment in which he can live and play;

then we will see him work all day with his hands and wait impatiently

to undress himself and lay himself down on his own bed.”

~Dr. Maria Montessori

Young children have a tremendous need and love for an orderly environment, even when, on their own, they may tend to create chaos. Everything should have its own place and the environment should be organized to make it easy for the child to maintain a neat, well-organized atmosphere. Here are some ways in which you can bring Montessori principles into your home, either as an introduction to the Montessori Method or to reinforce what your child is experiencing in the Montessori classroom.

THE BEDROOM

Children’s bedrooms should clearly reflect their personalities and current interests.
Ideally, the young child’s bed should be low to the floor, making it easy for toddlers and young children to get in and out on their own. Rather than a crib, Montessori encourages parents to modify the bedroom to facilitate both the child’s safety and his early independence. Consider a futon or a mattress without the bed frame.
By age five, you may wish to allow your child to use a sleeping bag on his bed instead of sheets and blankets. This makes it easy for him to make his own bed in the morning.
Mount a little coat and hat rack low on one wall where your child can reach them easily.
Lower the dowel in the closet so that they can choose, as well as hang up, their own clothes. An old broomstick and two ropes tied to the original bar can serve as a temporary and adjustable place for children to hang their clothes.
Make sure your child’s clothes chest has drawers that are the right height for him or her to open and look inside. Label the drawers (underwear, socks, etc.). Pictures from magazines are fun to use.
Decorate the walls with high quality art prints of children or animals hung at the child’s eye level.
Mount a wall clock at the child’s level. Select one with a large, easy-to-read face.
Modify your light switches with extenders to allow the young child to turn his lights on and off independently.
Hang a bulletin board on the wall at your child’s eye level on which he can hang artwork and school papers.

TOYS

Don’t use a toy box. Imagine the chaos in your kitchen or workshop if you threw all your tools and utensils together in a chest! Instead, use low shelves to display books and toys. Visit a Montessori classroom for ideas.
Notice how Montessori teachers avoid clutter. Place toys with many pieces in appropriate containers, such as plastic see-through shoe boxes with lids, baskets, or in a sturdy plastic bag.
Use a sturdy wooden crate to hold your child’s building blocks.
You may want to create a model town or farm on piece of heavy plywood. Paint it green and sprinkle model railroad “grass” on it to simulate a meadow. Placed on a low table, your child can create wonderful displays with model buildings made of wood or plastic. Add little trees and people from a model railroad set. You could set up a dollhouse this way as well.
Store Lego’s or similar toys in a large, colorful and sturdy canvas bag with handles. Sew on strips of Velcro to fasten the bag closed. In your child’s bedroom, the bag will serve as a sack to contain his Lego’s. When you travel, it is very easy to pick up the bag to bring it along.
Flower vases: Encourage your child to collect flowers from the fields or garden for his room.
Provide some shelf space for a small nature museum in your child’s room. Here he can display rocks that he finds, interesting seeds, and interesting critters/insects in small cages.
Music should be an important part of every child’s life. Set some space aside for a simple stereo system and collection of recordings.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Set up an art area with an easel and a spacious art table for drawing, craft work and clay. Cover the table with a washable tablecloth.
Children’s art supplies can be neatly stored in separate Tupperware containers. Depending on your child’s age, the art supplies that you prepare might include washable magic markers, crayons, paste, paper, fabric scraps and recycled household articles for making collages.

THE BATHROOM

The bathroom should be prepared for your child. He should be able to reach the sink, turn on the water, and reach his toothbrush and toothpaste without help.
There should be a special place where he can reach his towel and washcloth. Hang a low towel rack or hook for your child’s towel.
Most parents provide bathroom stools, but small wobbly stools often do not provide enough secure, comfortable space for bathroom tasks.
Build wooden platforms 6-8 inches high that actually fit around toilets and sinks.

THE KITCHEN

Make room in your kitchen for a child-sized work table for young cooks.
Set aside the bottom shelf in your refrigerator. Here you can store small drink pitchers, fruit, and the ingredients for making sandwiches and snacks. Use non-breakable containers to hold peanut butter, jams, lunch meats, and spreads. A child of two can open the refrigerator and retrieve his or her own prepared snack or cold drink stored in a little cup. An older child can pour their own juice and make his or her own lunch.
Use a bottom drawer for forks, knives and spoons.
Reverse shelves, putting pots and pans up high and dishes at the child’s level. This way, the child can set the table for meals, or help himself to necessary utensils.

HELPING AROUND THE HOUSE

If presented correctly, children as young as age two take delight in caring for their environment by dusting, mopping, scrubbing, cleaning and polishing. They should be able to do so as easily at home as at school. It is perfectly reasonable to ask older children to straighten up their rooms and help with simple household chores.
Give your child his own little broom or dust buster.
Hang feather duster on a hook.
Provide a hamper for your child’s dirty clothes. Ask him to carry them to the laundry room on a regular basis. Small laundry baskets are fun for small hands.
The bathroom could store a small bucket with a bathtub scrub brush and sponge.
Folding towels and napkins is a good activity to teach young children.

PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS – A FAMILY AFFAIR

Children are an integral part of the family and should play a meaningful role in planning and preparing for holidays and family celebrations. According to their age, children can be very helpful: cleaning up their rooms, chopping vegetables, helping with the cooking and baking, setting the table, carrying food to the table, setting out holiday decorations, receiving guests at the door, and acting as host and hostess to young friends and relatives visiting their home.

Adapted from the writings of Tim Seldon, President of The Montessori Foundation and co-author of The World in the Palm of Her Hand and Celebrations of Life.