If you’re interested in using Montessori at home, you don’t need to worry about whether or not you’re doing everything right. One thing I learned from teaching in different Montessori schools and observing at lots of Montessori schools is that there isn’t one right way to “do” Montessori.
While there are many Montessori principles that are universal, there are typically many ways to use the principles. What’s important is finding what works in your own home. The following video from Montessori Works is a good example of a simple way to have a Montessori set-up in a small space at home.
The shows a number of helpful universal principles:
- The prepared environment is designed to encourage independence.
- Materials are kept in trays or baskets on low shelves.
- Tables are child-sized.
- Rugs are used for work on the floor.
- Children are shown how to get out materials, how to use them, and how to return them to the shelf.
- The child’s work is returned to the shelf before new work is taken from the shelf.
- Materials are rotated in small Montessori set-ups.
But the video doesn’t need to be followed exactly. It’s also a good example of how Montessori at home can vary.
- You might prefer a small table with chairs to a floor table. (I do.)
- You don’t need to use those specific materials. You can use DIY materials or even Montessori-inspired themes or unit studies that are inexpensive to prepare. The materials you use will be chosen according to your child’s needs and interests, so they don’t need to be the same as the materials in another home.
You’ll find lots of resources in my How to Start Using Montessori at Home post. You’ll also find links to many more videos in my Free Montessori Video Lessons Online post. Just allow yourself to use the resources according to what’s best for your unique family.
We also have a Living Montessori Now YouTube channel with lots of ideas for using Montessori at home!
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Deb, your post are always right on time for me! We are currently setting up a studio space environment, which is causing me to have to rearrange our current school at home learning environment. Thank you for always leading us in the right direction and for sharing.
Thanks for your kind comment, Discovering Montessori! I love the studio space environment you’re setting up! 🙂
I love seeing short videos like this ones and to be remained that at home learning environments do not need to look like schools. Our learning space keeps on changing and keeps on getting materials as my daughters’ interest changes. I have started a blog just to keep track of all the changes. In the future I need to go back to these pictures and bring out the materials for my son who is too small to work with them now.
http://montessoritrilingualdream.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html
Thanks, Silvana! I love that your learning space keeps changing with your children’s ages and interests … so perfect for Montessori at home!
I really love your relaxed approach – acknowledging that there are many ways to “do” Montessori. I do what works for us in our home and our family but sometimes I feel like i might be doing it wrong. It’s nice to hear that it can be adapted to suit individual families.
Thanks so much, Ness! I think you do lots of amazing activities in your home! 🙂
Thank you so much for your post! I REALLY appreciated it. We switched to the Montessori method at the beginning of February after a year of homeschooling. I’ve read as much as I can get my hands on and spend a lot of time online wanting to do everything as perfect as I can, yet at the same time trying to meet the needs of my special needs kiddos. Your site has been a HUGE help and resource for me. I have to hand in a syllabus to our school district with plans for next year soon. Making sure to meet their criteria and also do things the Montessori way has been quite an interesting task. It’s nice to know I’m doing better than I thought.
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Renae! I’m so glad my blog has been helpful for you. I love the activities you do! 🙂
hey Deb all the information are so nice and also so informative . i am very appreciated to read your blog so please keep it up.
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