I get lots of questions about setting up Montessori shelves at home, so I wanted to share a few examples. The photos here are from a mother with an infant and a 3-year-old at home. I am testing out a graphic format to make things clearer, but please do let me know if you think I should just post the pics and write the details underneath as I will be doing a few more posts regarding setups at home.
My earlier post with the 3D tour of the Montessori classroom shows you a good classroom layout. Some changes to make at home include creating a real Practical Life section in the kitchen with real tools for cleaning, food preparation, and serving. Clothespin work can be real with a little washing area and drying rack. Items for washing can be things you really need washed such as linen napkins or the child’s own clothing.
Here are a few graphics,
The Montessori Bells are so incredibly expensive that few people buy them for home use (the cheaper substitutes for the Nienhuis brand are not on key, so we can’t use those). The keyboard below is a nice addition.
This family lives in a warm climate, so the tile floor is perfect.
It is good to leave as much clear floor space as possible because it encourages children to sprawl out and remain more active. Remember to join them in this! It will keep everyone young and healthy!
I like how the article combined the specifics with pictures and the general guidance in one discussion. That makes is easier to apply at home.