Hellobee

I’m often asked for tips on how to create a Montessori home. Today, I have five small, quick tips that are really affordable changes that you can make to create a more child led environment. All of these are useful for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s important to observe the child in their environment to see how they use things and to see what changes might be helpful!

1. Use temporary hooks. Temporary hooks are great for hanging materials such as aprons at the child’s level. It’s easy to move the hooks around as the child grows or you relocate things. They are perfect for renters and for small spaces. Great for hanging coats, aprons or hanging tools like child-sized dustpans, brooms or kitchen tools.

2. Use small squeeze or pump bottles. Pour shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizer, hand soap, dishwashing liquid even pet wash into small, squeeze or pump bottles. Small travel bottles can be used because they are clear so the child can see how much is in it. This allows the child to use the soap bottles independently without the risk of using or wasting the whole bottle. It’s amazing how much more children enjoy washing when they can use the bottle themselves. The same concept can apply to foods, breakfast cereals or snacks. Put a small portion in a container and put the rest up out of reach; therefore the child can only eat and access what you have provided to them.

3. Use bathrooms accessories with suction caps. Temporary and moveable accessories make it affordable and easy to create a Montessori bathroom. You can put a little mirror, soap dish, a container to hold toothpaste and even a hand towel ring or hook at the child’s level. These are really good for renters, small spaces and are easy to adjust as the child grows.

4. Use pictorial labels. If you have a young child who isn’t reading, yet you still want them to be able to put their clothes in the right place or their train set in the right basket, you may want to use pictorial labels (labels with pictures, along with the words). They can be used on drawers, baskets, tubs, wherever your child is asked to sort or put their things away!

5. Use a wardrobe extender. Wardrobe extenders work in most wardrobes and can make hanging up clothes easy for young children. It’s a really affordable option. We have used a wardrobe extender for years and it’s made a big difference. My children can put away their hanging clothes and it’s made getting dressed easier too.

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My other quick tip is to always think outside the box when looking for materials. I look in all sections at thrift and variety stores. Ikea, for example, has good baskets and containers in the bathroom section. You never know what you will find in the hardware store or kitchen stores too. Keep your eyes and mind open!