Creating a ‘Montessori’ Home
Fostering Your Child’s Independence and Learning through Everyday Spaces
Image courtesy of Milena Ciciotti, "A Montessori-Inspired Playroom Tour" – milenaciciotti.com
While there's no manual for raising a child, there is one for creating an environment where any child can tap into their inherent ability to learn from the world around them. For over 100 years, parents have embraced the Montessori philosophy of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, to help their children explore their world physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially.
The Prepared Environment At Home
The foundation of the Montessori experience lies in the Prepared Environment—a space that allows children to explore and learn under their own direction. This environment:
Encourages independent learning and exploration.
Provides opportunities for mistakes and growth.
Is not confined to a single room, but rather spreads throughout the home—from the kitchen to the bathroom, bedroom to living room.
Form and Function: Simple, Functional Spaces for Learning
When creating a Montessori environment, less is more. Here are some guiding principles for creating an effective learning space:
Fewer Distractions: Simple, functional furniture is preferred. The focus should be on creating a calm, uncluttered space. The furniture doesn't need to be made from natural materials; the key is to keep it clean and free of distractions like cartoon illustrations.
Real-World Tools: Montessori spaces are designed to empower children. Child-sized cups and containers, for example, allow children to independently perform simple tasks like getting their own water. These real-world tools foster confidence and resilience as they build independence in everyday life.
Child-Sized Furniture: Just as Montessori education seeks to normalize children by enabling them to perform daily tasks independently, choosing furniture that is appropriately sized for your child is key. Low beds and child-sized chairs and tables allow children to navigate their world with more autonomy.
Everyday Objects and Montessori Materials
Materials in a Montessori classroom range from everyday household items to specially designed learning materials. This same principle applies at home:
Replace plastic play kitchens with appropriately sized real kitchenware and utensils. The goal is for children to learn through authentic, hands-on experiences.
Using real materials also teaches responsibility, as children learn to treat fragile objects with care.
Photo credit: Montessori in Real Life, "Montessori for Infants and Toddlers"
Order and Cleanliness: A Space for Responsibility
A Montessori home is a clean and organized environment. Organization helps children develop a sense of responsibility, both for their own belongings and the space they inhabit.
Organized Spaces: Toys and books should be grouped by subject and kept at eye level for easy access. This simple organization fosters a sense of order and gives children the opportunity to clean up after themselves.
Accessible Cleaning Supplies: Provide cleaning cloths and simple tools that children can use to clean up after meals or snacks, further developing their sense of stewardship over their environment.
Organizing Your Home Learning Environment
The Montessori philosophy suggests that every room should be organized to help everyone in the family be as independent as possible. Dr. Montessori believed in fostering inner discipline through Practical Life activities, such as personal hygiene and taking care of one's belongings.
Things to keep in mind:
Keep things at eye level for easy access.
Less is more—avoid clutter and excess.
Provide child-safe cleaning supplies for independent cleaning.
Photo credit: The Kavanaugh Report, "Montessori Art Area"
Creating a Learning Space at Home
A dedicated learning space in the home can be set up with simple materials, many of which you may already have. Organize the space with baskets or trays to keep materials tidy, making it easier for children to focus on the task at hand.
The Bedroom: A Sanctuary of Independence
A child's bedroom should be a sanctuary, a quiet space for rest and personal growth. A simple floor bed—instead of a race car or princess bed—works best for a Montessori child's bedroom, enabling them to explore independently when they wake up.
Allow your child to take ownership of their bedroom by involving them in folding clothes, making the bed, and tidying up their space. These small tasks help build self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.
The Kitchen: Where Family and Learning Come Together
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and in a Montessori setting, it becomes a space for children to observe, engage, and contribute. Rather than using toy-themed play kitchens, give your child the opportunity to use real plates, cups, and utensils. This teaches them the value of everyday items and fosters a sense of responsibility for their care.
A child-sized stool or step ladder will allow your child to reach the counter, making it easier for them to participate in meal preparation, clean-up, and other kitchen tasks. This independence builds confidence and a sense of contribution.
The Montessori Bathroom: Hygiene and Independence
The bathroom is another area where your child can practice independence and self-care. Provide an age-appropriate step stool so your child can reach the sink and mirror. You can also use adaptors for taps, allowing your child to turn on the water independently.
Reducing the number of toys in the bathroom will help your child focus on hygiene tasks like washing hands, brushing teeth, and cleaning up after themselves.
Making Montessori Work at Home
At first glance, incorporating the Montessori philosophy into your home may seem overwhelming or expensive. However, Montessori is quite the opposite. It encourages simplicity—fewer materials, less adult direction, and a more hands-off approach that helps children build greater resilience, responsibility, and independence.
While there are plenty of online ideas to inspire a Montessori environment at home, it’s important to stay true to the core principles of Montessori: fostering independence and allowing children to explore and learn at their own pace. Be sure to follow the guidelines shared in this post to create a space that genuinely supports your child's development in a meaningful way.
If you're looking to purchase child-sized items for your home Montessori environment, we recommend Montessori 'For Small Hands'—a trusted source for high-quality, age-appropriate materials. Check them out here: For Small Hands.