Setting Up a Montessori-style Space in Your Home
If you have young children, you’ve probably come across the Montessori method of education. Developed by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, the program aims to make the most of children’s natural curiosity, helping them learn organically, and develop physically, socially, cognitively, and emotionally. There are schools set up to aid in this, along with specially trained teachers, but you can incorporate elements of the method into your new homes in Moseley VA. If you’ve recently purchased one of our homes or are planning to, here are some tips for setting up a Montessori-style space in your home.
Among the basics of the method is providing children with a choice of activities from a select range. Students typically learn concepts through working with materials on their own, rather than direct instruction, and they’re provided with materials that tend to be more natural and aesthetic, rather than plastic. The whole environment is set up by subject area, and kept child-sized so they have easy access. There’s freedom to explore, within limits, and usually it’s kept to around three hours of uninterrupted work time.
Some parents choose to create a child area in multiple rooms throughout the home, while others focus on one or two rooms. The choice is up to you. However, wherever you set up, here are some simple tips to help you create the best environment for encouraging their growth and development.
First and foremost, think about things from the child’s perspective. Start with furniture that is their size and easily maneuverable so that they can sit at a table or desk in a chair and have their feet flat on the floor. You should also literally get down to your child’s eye level and look at things, particularly things that could be dangerous, such as wires and other hazards.
However, part of the Montessori method includes creating a visually appealing space for your child, so don’t forget to include art and plants, kept at their height. Another aspect of creating an appealing environment is making sure things are neat, orderly, and fairly streamlined. Floor to ceiling cupboards that blend with the wall are ideal, because you can use them to store items that aren’t currently being used, and they are less likely to distract a child, thanks to out of sight, out of mind.
In fact, ideally, you should have a select set of activities on display that are easily accessible. Think shelves or tables, rather than toy boxes. Focus on a few age-appropriate activities at a time so that they don’t get overwhelmed with information and try to make it so that everything they need is there, giving them a sense of independence. As they become more proficient at certain activities and subjects, you can rotate them out and bring in new activities and skills to master. Rotating not only keeps children from being overwhelmed, but also keeps things interesting.
Finally, make sure that everything they’re playing with and learning from has its own place. You can start teaching your toddlers about putting things away and keeping things organized right from the start. Make sure every item does have a specified place to be when not in use, making sure it’s still somewhere accessible for your child. If you choose one of our homes, like our brand new Hampshire floor plan or the Bronte floor plan, you have an option for a bonus room. This is a great place to set up your children’s Montessori-style space, because you can install the cupboards and still have room for tables and shelves that can be used for specific activities. This also makes it easier for children to move about depending on their interests.
The Hampshire and Bronte are just two of our home designs that offer flexibility and extra space that you can dedicate to specific needs, such as a Montessori-style space. If you’re currently looking at new homes in Moseley VA, or surrounding areas, contact us today to help you find the home that gives you the space you need to help your children grow and develop, while also ensuring the whole family feels comfortable and truly at home.
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