A Montessori Home

As your family has come together and grown, you've made choices that affect how the family interacts with each other and the degree to which the children can be a part of the family unit. Each family is unique, with a different set of circumstances. But a Montessori home has many common components - and it's about something other than the materials you see in Montessori classrooms.

 

What is a Montessori home

Simply put - it's a home that has been created with the needs of the children in mind. It is a home that allows children to touch, explore, use, and master the ordinary objects found in everyday life. The adults have stepped back and looked at the home through the eyes of a child. They've used this vision to help them create a home involving the children.

 

 

Why a Montessori home

"Teach me to do it myself!" is the call most often heard from children. They are desperate to fulfill their deep inner desire to understand and be a part of their environment. In their early years, the home is often the center of their world. There are so many tasks children can learn to do within their own homes. There isn't a better place to help young children grow and learn than in the home.

 

 

How to make a Montessori home

Ensure the furniture and spaces that you create are inviting to your children. Make them size-appropriate. This is not to say you must replace all your home furniture! You can adjust the furniture you already have or consider adding a few pieces.

 

Kitchen: Children can help prepare food (adapt your kitchen and recipes for children), set the table, clear the dishes, wash the dishes, load the dishwasher, and sweep the floor. Add a weaning table and chair for little ones so that they can become more independent in their eating habits.

 

Bathroom​:

  1. Make a small platform stool available for use with the toilet and sink.
  2. Use smaller towels that are hung low enough for the child to manage.
  3. Make a drawer available for personal hygiene items that are easily accessible.
  4. Allow enough time for self-care tasks.

 

Bedroom: Consider a floor bed or a platform stool so young children can easily maneuver out of bed. Lower cupboard shelves and a low rod in the closet mean they can hang up their clothes. A dresser at the child's height, with drawers that can be easily reached and opened, allows for independence in selecting their clothing. Shelves, baskets, and drawers help children keep their toys organized - in return, they can learn to clean up their belongings.

 

Good habits in a Montessori home

Young children need to start helping around the home as soon as you have the appropriate materials/furniture for them to manage with. No task is too small, and it's never too early to start including children in the care and cleaning of the family home.

 

"These experiences form good habits of contributing to the household. They are excellent for developing muscle strength and coordination, visual and spatial awareness, independence, and responsibility. Young children love doing these activities right alongside you. Children seek out and work toward independence whether we help them or not. By involving your child in these regular home activities, you can help create your child's self-image to be that of a competent, confident person." John Bowman