Here are four simple steps to help you set up a Montessori prepared environment at home and on a budget. Using mostly items you already have, create a home environment that will help your child grow in independence, and save you a little sanity.
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“The man who does not live in an adaptive environment can neither develop his faculties normally nor learn to know himself.”
– Maria Montessori
It’s all about the prepared environment, guys.
We know how important our own environment is. TV’s on, can’t focus. Desk is a mess, my thoughts are a mess. Ugly environment, no inspiration. Can’t find anything, can’t get anything done.
It’s the same for kids, especially for children under the age of 6. In a quiet environment, they can find concentration. In a beautiful place, they are happy to work. In an orderly space, tailored to their needs, they develop habits and routines and independence.
That last word is the most important. The independence of the child is the final goal of the prepared environment. Even if a room is organized and attractive, it is lacking if the child can’t reach anything. The child needs access to purposeful activities in an environment suited to her basic physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.
It might sound like a lot of work for you to set up a Montessori prepared environment at home. But, if you put in a little effort now, your child will learn to do more for herself. Which is good for her and for you. 🙂
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{Want to learn more about this process? ↑ Print a free cheatsheet here.}
Sounds beautiful. How exactly do I set that up?
How to Set Up a Montessori Prepared Environment at Home
1. Choose the Space
There most likely won’t be just one space that you want to “Montessori.” Your kids are busy all over the house, and that’s good. In my training, I learned that children should not be the center of the family, they should be part of the family. Which means they should have access to most of the areas of the house where the family lives and works.
This means that you may want to prepare not just the child’s bedroom, but also the bathroom, living room, and kitchen. (Your own bedroom and home office are safe, I promise.)
But to start, just choose one space.
2. Observe the Child in the Space
Before you dive in, spend a few days with your child in that space. If you’ve chosen the bathroom, pay attention to what your child needs in the bathroom. What does he ask for help with, and what could he do himself? Could he brush his own teeth if he was able to reach the toothbrush and toothpaste, and if you showed him how?
3. Make Your Plan
Now that you’ve observed your child’s needs in this space, make your plan. Consider your family routines, or the routines you’d like to set in place.
For example, every evening, Charlie needs to use the bathroom, wash his hands, brush his teeth, and wash his feet if he’s been playing outside. That’s the routine. So you need to plan the environment around that routine.
Charlie can use the bathroom and wash his hands without help, but it would be good too if he was able to replace the toilet paper when the roll runs empty. Is there a place you can store a few extra toilet paper rolls in the bathroom, maybe in a lower cabinet?
Charlie knows how to brush his teeth, but so far you’ve been helping him apply the toothpaste. Can you show him the right amount, and store everything in a drawer within his reach?
Using the tub independently is a little much for Charlie. Do you have a shallow plastic bin for him to wash his feet in instead? He could fill it using a pitcher and water from the sink, and it could be stored in the bathtub or under the sink. And if he has his own towel, he’ll know not to dry his feet on the hand towel. It might be a good idea to store a few rags within reach as well, so he can dry up any spills.
4. Collect What You’ll Need
You probably have most of the items you’ll need, but it might help to make a list and check things off as you gather them.
Using our bathroom example, here is a sample list:
- step-stool (already have)
- shallow bin (already have)
- pitcher (need to get)
- towel (already have)
- rags (already have)
- bin to hold rags (already have)
Of course this is just a sample list, but you can see that you need very little to prepare an environment at home.
5. Set Up Your Space and Implement the Routine
Set up the space, and when it is ready, show your child how to use everything. This can be done in an inviting and appealing way. Kids like to know what is expected of them, and might even find it exciting that they get to wash their feet in their own special bin, and do it all by themselves.
You can show your child the routine as the need arises. For example, on the first evening after you set up the environment, show Charlie how to fill up the bucket with water using the pitcher. Use more actions than words, but do explain when he needs to wash his feet. (e.g. only if they’re dirty.) You can have him watch you fill up the bucket, wash your own feet, rinse out the bucket, dry it, and store it. Then you can invite him to do it himself.
*Note: For potentially fun activities such as washing feet, you might want to set a time limit. You can include a 3 minute timer if you think it would help.
Related: How to Create a Simple Routine for Preschoolers
There you go! With observation, a little planning, a few materials and routines, you can create a Montessori prepared environment at home and help your child grow in independence.
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How do you create an environment that fosters independence? Share your tips with us in the comments!
Jean Marie
