Create A Montessori-Friendly Home

Teach your child order and independence by creating uncluttered spaces that are consistent with their preschool routines.

The Montessori Method teaches that independence is an ongoing process based on teaching children to ‘DIY,’ or do it yourself. To achieve this goal, Montessori classrooms are designed to give children the ability to access everything from a child’s height and reach. At our Montessori preschool, we know that freedom equals independence. Everything we do in the classroom is designed to build skills, confidence and a can-do attitude. These efforts provide children with a sense of confidence that empower them as individuals and towards individualized learning. Part of this process involves parents. By creating a Montessori-friendly home that is much like the classroom, we build order and independence together and here are a few tips to guide you: 

Create a Child-Sized Perspective

A key first step towards building order and self-motivation incorporates a child-sized perspective in relation to furniture, chairs, tables, stools, low cabinets, open shelving, and kitchenware. Why? Via these actions, you will incorporate your child into the family’s daily activities.

Clamp Down on Clutter

By creating a clean, uncluttered environment, you are again following the Montessori Method. If all a child’s things have a proper place, then they can ‘pick up and put away’ early on. This approach allows you to discuss why things won’t create an accident, broken or lost because they are not where they belong. Your child’s bedroom is a good place to start this process together.

Every Room Belongs to Your Child, Too!

In the living room, you can put books, art supplies, puzzles, and other educational tools to encourage learning. These tools are smarter ways to build learning outside of school rather than video games, iPads, and TV.

And, in the kitchen, you can encourage your child to help prepare meals.

At school, the lunchtime meal is a daily experience–from table setting and preparation to mealtime and clean up. By placing a step stool or a small table in the kitchen, you can create pride because you used DIY. Or, as your child will exclaim, “I did it myself!”

Summary

Montessori children are always moving toward independence. How they make individual choices as part of the classroom curriculum and at-home allows them to achieve positive behavioral patterns. 

Parents can create a similar environment for that success at home, too. Planning ways to involve our kids in daily activities will allow your child to do for him or herself. If you let your children think for themselves and do for themselves, then they will rise to the challenge of accepting new and more complex encounters on their way to reaching their next stage of growth.

These simple tips are easy ways for parents to create a Montessori-friendly home like the one that is created for them at our preschool in La Jolla.

La Jolla Montessori School is located at 8745 La Jolla Scenic Drive, just west of the I-5 at La Jolla Village Drive exit. Interested in learning more? Book a tour of our school today or contact us today!