Montessori Education

Parent Guides

12 Points of the Montessori Method

Montessori FAQ

Creating a "Montessori" Home Environment

Is My Child Ready for School?

Why Montessori Elementary?

External Links:

Association Montessori Internationale

Montessori Connections

Suggestions for Preparing a 
"Montessori" Home Environment

Introduction

It is very important that a child be allowed to participate in the everyday life of the family.  It is through this participation that crucial aspects of his personality and intellect will develop.  As a child becomes skillful at carrying out everyday household tasks, he discovers the joy of learning and of purposeful activity.  He feels that he too, has something useful to contribute to the family.  Through working at and eventually mastering these tasks, he develops a sense of order or sequence; he grows in independence and self-control, and his sense of self-respect is strengthened.
 
The child has a natural tendency for independence.  When your child performs some activity, which is intended to help take care of the home, or of himself, he gets a lot of pleasure from his own efforts and does not need to depend on your constant praise.  Your gracious smile is all that counts!  Even if the result is less than perfect by adult standards, do not redo his project in front of him, and if possible, do not correct any part of it at all.  It is not really important if he puts his sweater on backwards or his shirt inside out; what is important is that he has done it himself, without having to depend upon an adult.  With practice, he will be able to carry out the activity more perfectly. 
 
As he practices, too, he will become able to perform the physical parts of the activity with ease; and he will then begin cycles of repetition.  He may button and unbutton his coat many times, or he may polish the same piece of silver many times over, even after it is shining.  These cycles of repetition may be annoying to adults because they seem unnecessary.  However, for the child, the activity is more important then the end result, and repetition helps him to work with interest and, eventually, to develop concentration.
 
The following are lists of suggestions of items, which would be appropriate in the child’s environment to help him on the road to independence.  You are not obligated to make dramatic changes at home, but please give the suggestions some honest thought.  Do what you think would be helpful to your child and your family.

Home Environment: Room by Room

Living Room

• a small, comfortable chair near a good light
• attractive and interesting objects that the child can safely handle

Bedroom

• a low clothes rod and hooks in closet
• special, reachable place for raincoat, boots, snowsuit, shoes and other clothing
• a low bed that the child can get into and out of by himself
• toy shelves, ample and low (Toy shelves are preferable to a toy chest or box because each separate toy can be attractively displayed.)
• a small table and chairs
• a low shelf for the child’s books

Bathroom

• a mirror at child’s eye level
• toothbrush, toothpaste and comb within reach
• small-size tube of toothpaste for child’s use
• towel, washcloth and towel rack within reach
• step-stool at sink so child can turn on faucet and wash hands
• toilet paper accessible to child

Kitchen

• a chair for the child that raises him to a comfortable level at the table (maybe a booster chair)
• some arrangement so the child can get himself a drink of water at the sink when he wants it; for example, a step-stool and a low-hung dispenser for paper cups
• sponges and towels at child’s level so he can wipe up his spills
• a low drawer that contains any materials he needs for helping take care of the home

Try to tell your child the correct name of each object he encounters in the home.

Activities a Small Child Can Easily Perform in the Home

Turning a water faucet on and off
 
Scrubbing sinks
Material:  a sponge 2”x3”, a small container (pepper shaker) of baking soda with only one hole uncovered works very well
Show the child slowly and carefully how to apply the baking soda, turn on the faucet, and scrub the sink with the sponge.  Show him how to rinse.
Let him then scrub the sink himself.  You may want to apply the baking soda the first few times, but later he can do it himself.
 
Vacuuming
Material:  a vacuum cleaner
Most children love to run vacuums.  Show the child how to connect the parts of the vacuum.  Show him how to turn it on and off and how to clean different parts of the rug.  You may want to make the rule about who plugs it in.
 
Pouring
Material:  small attractive pitchers (Cream pitchers are a good size)
The child can pour milk, water, and juice for himself and others.
At first, the pitcher should contain only enough liquid to fill a glass or cup two-thirds full.  Later it should contain enough for more than one serving.
  
Dusting
Material:  pretty flannelette cloths cut to 6”x6”, a baby’s hairbrush or small soft paintbrush, place to put dirty cloth.
Call child’s attention to the dust.  Ask him if he would like to help you.  Show him how to wrap the cloth around his fingers and wipe away the dust in slow, careful strokes, changing position of the dust cloth as he notices dust collecting.  The brush is used for carved furniture and inside corners.
The child can dust furniture tops, legs, baseboards, corners, ornaments, and low shelves.
 
Helping unload groceries
Put bags on floor.  Let child hand you things and put away whatever items go at his own level.  Some cans are too large to be lifted safely by a child.
 
Sweeping
Material:  small broom, child-size brush and dustpan
Show child how to sweep dirt into a pile with the broom.  Hold dustpan slightly tilted against the floor and sweep dirt into it with the little brush.  Carefully carry the dustpan to the wastebasket and empty it.

Setting the table
Child helps parent put out dishes and silver, and carries them to the table one piece at a time.  Later, parent sets one place as an example and the child sets a place for each member of the family.  Finally, the child sets the table by himself, counting out each piece he needs.  Of course, items should be stored within reach of the child.
 
Sponging off plastic tabletops and counters
Material:  small sponge 2”x3”
Show child how to wet and squeeze out sponge from a faucet.  The child carefully sponges off counters, etc., putting crumbs in a pile.  He can then brush crumbs into a small dustpan.
 
Putting away toys
This must become a habit.  Encourage your child to place each toy on the shelf after he has used it.  In any case, when the child is finished playing, all toys should be returned to their places.  There should only be 10 toys on the shelves in the play area.  This helps with maintaining order, while precluding over-stimulation at play and much frustration at tidy-up time.

Other activities you could develop:

• rolling socks
• folding cloths, handkerchiefs, linens
• storing cloths and linens
• folding and putting away his own underwear, socks, shirts, etc.
• weeding
• raking leaves
• watering plants indoors and outdoors
• helping wash a car
• helping wrap packages
• washing and drying dishes (you could begin with spoons, plastic dishes, refrigerator dishes, Tupperware; later, when the child is confident about washing dishes, you could add breakable items of a manageable size like cups and saucers, dessert dishes, cereal bowls)
• sorting clothes for laundry
• polishing shoes
• polishing small silver or brass items

With a little thought, almost any household-maintenance job can be structured so that the child can carry it out or at least help in the doing.  It is important to provide the child with small implements that he can easily manage.  It is also important to take time to show him how to carry out the activity, using slow, precise movements so he can follow you with ease.  Do maintain a friendly attitude and a sense of humor, even if at first the child’s efforts seem to make more of a mess than before he began.  Remember to praise him (a little) for his efforts. Before long, you will find that his help really is help, and that he really is competent in helping to take care of his home.
 
Have fun!