8 Ways How To Prepare A Montessori Home Environment Without Spending

Montessori-style learning is an amazing way to nurture children. It puts the child at the center and focuses on helping them learn through hands-on experience. This approach to education helps the child grow in every way – intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.

By using Montessori principles in your home, you can create a great space for your child to learn and grow. Here are eight things you can do to make your home better for Montessori-style learning:

How to Prepare a Montessori-Friendly Home without spending Unnecessarily

1. Encourage a culture of respect for each other and the environment.

When a child is in an environment that values kindness, manners, and respect, they can thrive better. As parents, we can model respectful behavior towards our children and others.

Instilling respect for the environment in children can be as easy as teaching them to conserve resources, be mindful of waste, and take care of plants, animals, and the earth.

2. Establish a daily routine for learning and play.

Children thrive on routine and consistency. By establishing a schedule for learning and play, we can help our children feel secure and prepared for each day.

Make sure to include time for outdoor play, creative activities, physical exercise, and rest. Providing your child with a work schedule can also help them develop time management skills and a sense of responsibility.

3. Provide opportunities for children to take ownership of their learning and make choices about their activities.

Learning happens when the children are engaged and interested in what they are doing. Encourage your child to take ownership of their learning by providing them with choices and opportunities to explore their interests.

Allow your child to choose their own activities prepared within their reach, based on your observations of the child’s interests and readiness.

4. Encourage independence.

Montessori-style learning emphasizes the importance of independence and self-reliance. Encourage your child to take responsibility for their own learning by providing them with the tools and materials they need to succeed.

Show them how they can take care of their own needs, such as dressing themselves, preparing their own snacks, and cleaning up after themselves.

By promoting independence, we can help our children develop confidence and self-esteem.

5. Provide hands-on learning activities.

Providing your child with a variety of activities and materials that focus on sensory development, practical life skills, language, math, geography, and more encourages exploration and learning in a variety of areas.

Montessori materials, though not always necessary in homeschooling, were created with intention of being used with the senses, even for learning Math, Writing, and more.

6. Allow plenty of time for outdoor play and exploration.

Outdoor play is essential for children’s physical and emotional health. It provides opportunities for children to explore their surroundings, develop gross motor skills, and engage with nature.

Make sure to provide your child with a safe and stimulating outdoor environment, and allow them plenty of time to explore and play.

We particularly love the book Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman as reference to supplement our study about plants, flowers, insects, and other things around us. We love that with this, new information about the nature is very accessible without needing to browse our phones. It also has kid-friendly illustrations that I too find very pretty.

We also have and recommend the other books in the set: Farm Anatomy, Food Anatomy, Ocean Anatomy, Wildlife Anatomy.

Living in the city, we don’t have a yard where the children can spend time running around. But most afternoons, we go around the block and find a wide enough space where they can ride their scooter or bike.

7. Create a calm, organized space for learning.

A calm, organized space can help your child feel focused and engaged in their learning. Remove clutter and distractions from the learning area, and create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere that encourages exploration and creativity.

You can also incorporate elements such as soft lighting and cozy seating to create a warm and inviting space. Dedicate well-ventilated and well-lit spaces where your child would spend lots of time in.

You can also incorporate natural elements into your home environment, such as plants and nature-inspired decor. These promote the child’s appreciation of nature and love of creation.

8. Set up a Montessori-style learning corner or area.

A Montessori-style learning corner or area can provide your child with a dedicated space for learning and exploration. Make sure that the area is well-organized and stocked with a variety of materials and activities that encourage hands-on learning and exploration.

You can also incorporate elements such as a low table and chairs, shelves, and Montessori materials and activities. It doesn’t have to look like a Montessori classroom and it doesn’t always need to be all wooden to be “Montessori”.

Setting up a Montessori corner doesn’t have to be expensive. We only started with things that we already have around the house and as much as possible, I try to DIY and find secondhand materials from Facebook Montessori groups.

We invested more in books (mostly secondhand too!) that serve as jumping points to discuss different topics such as cultural diversity, faith, breastmilk weaning, loss of a loved one, bullying, and more. Check out my recommended Montessori books for infants, 1 year olds, 2 year olds, and 3+ year olds.

We buy only what we can afford and still implement Montessori in our homes. It is possible and you can do this too!

CoNclusion

Incorporating Montessori-style learning principles into your home environment can help your child develop independence, creativity, and a love of learning.

By providing your child with a supportive and engaging environment, you can help them reach their full potential and become confident, independent learners. With these tips, we can create a home environment that fosters learning, growth, and development for our children.