Create an exceptional Montessori playroom that your child will love!
These tips & resources can help you easily set up a Montessori playroom or space for your child!
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What is Montessori Tidbits?
Montessori Tidbits: Ideas & Practices for newbies to the Montessori Method is ideal for parents, teachers and home schools that would like more in depth understanding of how Montessori works. This series helps parents better understand how Montessori works, what the principles are, and how to take that and create a Montessori home environment. This is part five of the series. Be sure to check out the other four parts in the series below.
Montessori Tidbits Part 1: 10 ideas to achieve a peaceful home or classroom
Montessori Tidbits Part 2: Positive Discipline the Montessori way
Montessori Tidbits Part 3: Grace & Courtesy-Teaching children manners
Montessori Tidbits Part 4: The Montessori Approach as to why children shouldn’t be forced to share
The popularity of Montessori at home
With the popularity of Montessori at home continues to grow, parents are searching for tips on setting up a Montessori space. Using the Montessori Method and its’ principles as a guide, you can easily set up a Montessori playroom!
The more I share Montessori with people, the more I find that they have a misconception about Montessori. Many people think that Montessori is all about the classroom materials; when in fact, the basis of Montessori is much deeper than that!
Is it beneficial to have some select Montessori classroom materials? Absolutely! But it is not necessary to have a full selection of Montessori materials. The materials are not what make Montessori what it is..it’s the principles, practices, philosophy and understanding of The Montessori Method that does!
What is a Montessori playroom?
A Montessori playroom is a defined space within your home for your child to explore and learn; based on the teachings of Montessori philosophy. Montessori playroom spaces are simple set ups, not like a Montessori classroom. They are a great way to help the child lean and should promote concentration and independence in their home environment.
Here are the common characteristics of a Montessori playroom
- is a cozy and inviting space
Set up a space that is cozy, inviting and that your children will want to be in!
- activities promote learning rather than entertainment
Include a variety of activities that promote different skills; choosing activities that touch on all subject areas
- activities are placed in designated places
In true Montessori fashion, give everything a place in the room and keep things there. This helps teach your child about cleaning up after themselves and putting things back where they got them.
- mixes in a variety of activities & developmental levels
Include a variety of activities that work on different skills. Choose activities that challenge your child, and that promote their individual interests.
Related post: 5 key tips on implementing Montessori at home
- uses child sized furniture
Set up their playroom space with child sized items so that your child is comfortable. Using adult sized furniture makes if difficult for children to use the space effectively.
- activities are displayed at the child’s level
Everything that the child can use in their playroom should at their level so that they can both see it and be able to easily access/reach it.
- has some open/free space for children to explore
Allowing your child to have space in your home that they can move around, climb, and explore helps promote gross motor development.
- simple set up with a limited amount of activities
Having a limited number of activities allows children the ability to focus and master activities; rather than jumping from activity to activity without ever completing or mastering any of them.
Montessori playroom furniture
Modular couches
Modular couches are great for any Montessori playroom space. They are two fold in their use; as they can be used for seating, building, and play!
Shelves
Shelving units are key to establishing a sense of order and organization in your child’s Montessori playroom. They ensure that activities have a designated space to go, and keep things tidy and orderly.
Book shelves
Book shelves make it easy for your child to easily access their favorite books! This one in particular comes is three different color choices AND three different sizes!
Chairs
What playroom is complete without a comfy chair? Charis are the perfect addition to any reading area nook.
Related post: 5 must have Montessori Math activities for under $40
Table & chairs set
No Montessori playroom is complete without a table and chairs set for doing activities, eating snack, and doing meal prep.
Wooden climbing triangles
Wooden climbing triangles promote a child’s gross motor skills, increases spatial awareness, provides vestibular stimulation, strengthens limbs, and promotes self awareness.
Balancing beams
Like wooden climbing triangles, balancing beams help children develop gross motor skills, as well as concentration, focus, improves strength & core stability, and improves their balance & reflexes.
Montessori work rugs
Montessori work rugs help to define and organize a child’s workspace when working on activities that are too large to be done at a table.
Montessori playroom activities
Having a wide range of activities in different subject areas is key. The aim is to provide activities that allow for open ended learning, independent learning, and the promotion of an array of developmental skill set levels.
Related post: Montessori gift ideas perfect for kids of all ages
What to take from this
The most important take away from this is to set up a space that is child led, considers your child’s interests, and that is fun and inviting! Providing a space that is engaging and that provides your child a well rounded learning environment for them to nurture all aspects of their development is the ultimate goal. Remember, the materials do not make Montessori; the ideals, principles, and understanding of your child does!
Be sure to check out the other posts in the series!
Thank you so much for these ideas! I love the work rug and the book shelves.
The climbing and balancing activities look like so much fun!
We need another bookshelf, our is full! Thanks for the ideas.
Montessori is indeed getting more popular these days. My friend is also into Montessori type of learning for her kids. I’ll share this post to her,too. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to read.
Great tips! I think child sized furniture is so cute. When my kids were small they loved having a mini sofa in their area to enjoy.
I do like the Montessori philosophy and always wished that there was a school that combined both Montessori and Waldorf pedagogies, that would be awesome.
These all sound like wonderful ideas for a playroom! My kids had a basic playroom and it would have been nice to add in some of these features.
So many great ideas, I need to reimagine our loft to make it better for my girls to have fun
This is timely! I am actually looking for shelves for the girls’ room and these recommendations are perfect. Thank you for sharing this. Love the idea of adding climbing triangles too. I think they’ll love it.
Love all the ideas for a playroom! Child size furniture is so cute and amazingly fun!