5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Montessori Play and Learning

Montessori is an educational philosophy that is built on the understanding of children’s natural need for movement, independence, and self-direction. By allowing children freedom of choice within clear boundaries, they develop a strong sense of self and become confident in their abilities. 

Preparing a Montessori Home

A key Montessori term is “the prepared environment.” This refers to spaces that are intentionally designed for learning, exploring, and living.  A truly successful prepared environment is made so that children have access to materials they need to complete tasks and grow life skills. It is a space that is dynamic and changes with the needs of the children who use it. 

A Montessori home reflects all of the people who live there and encourages each person’s abilities, passions, and interests. Children are invited to participate in daily household tasks alongside their adults and when they are ready can take on some of these responsibilities. Ideally, there are systems put in place for children so that they can independently carry out tasks important to them. That may be things like getting ready for the day or executing an art project. 

What toys align with the Montessori philosophy?

There are no “Montessori toys” which is honestly quite freeing because we don’t need to adhere to strict rules that may feel limiting. There are, though, toys and activities that align with the philosophy better than others. 

Toys that encourage children to engage deeply and focus are key. In a world that moves so fast, it is important that we provide opportunities that allow for problem solving, experimentation, and exploration. When we give children time, space, and intentional materials, they can develop an understanding of the world they live in. 

As a Montessori teacher and parent of two grown children, I thought it might be beneficial to share some questions to ask yourself as you bring toys into your home. 

8 questions to ask before choosing a toy:

• Does this toy encourage movement and discovery?
• Does this toy allow for practice of real life skills?
• Are there many ways to use this toy?
• Does this foster concentration and focus?
• Does this toy fill a need in our home?
• Does it encourage repetition and mastery over a long period of time?
• Is my child going to discover something new each time they engage with this?
• What is my child learning by engaging with this?

Children are absorbing so much new information and having new experiences every day. Providing toys and materials to help them process these new big ideas is a gift. As children are introduced to new concepts and ideas, they often appear in their play. 

Prepare your home for Montessori-inspired play and learning with my top 5 recommendations: 

Water and Mud Play

Getting outside is always the best option. By giving your child tools, a water source, and freedom to dig, haul, climb, and concoct you are providing them with foundational skills they need for self regulation and confidence. 

Unit Blocks

Unit blocks are an incredible material for children to use to make sense of the world. As adults we get a glimpse into their developing brains and see where their interests lie and what they are thinking about. Are they building a store, a house, a boat? Each time they approach these blocks, they learn something new without an adult “teaching” them. 

Play Kitchen

Hopefully your children are engaging in real kitchen activities alongside the adults, using real tools and food to eat. At the same time, a play kitchen is a wonderful opportunity to act out these real life scenarios and reinforce skills used in daily life, especially language skills. 

Play Silks

When you give a child a specific superhero or princess costume, that actually limits their play.  Instead we can support their growing imaginations. The child builds the character rather than having it predetermined for them. A simple piece of fabric can be used in countless ways. 

Art Supplies

Art supplies naturally encourage play and deep concentration, so even though they are not technically “toys” I am including them anyway. Having a space for your child to create with drawing materials, paper, tape, glue, scissors, clay/playdough, etc. encourages them to not only strengthen their fine motor skills but also provides them with other avenues to explore their capabilities. 

An organized and prepared environment that supports independence, order, and self-discovery can be implemented for any family. It is a wonderful way to support your child as they grow and learn and supplements what they may be learning at school. By offering meaningful materials and toys and creating designated areas throughout your space, your child will gain a sense of self within their home and community.