The Montessori shelves are small open and constructed out of natural materials. They’re made to encourage independence, allowing kids to have fun with toys and use materials without assistance
Bins and baskets help make activities easy to tear down and then put away
Buy wooden toys along with other organic materials
It’s better to be sparse – don’t show all toys at the same time rather rotate them frequently
Have you realized that arranging your child’s space in a specific manner can increase their independence? If you create the perfect environment , it could lead to greater imagination, promote learning, and aid in the development of language.
But howdo we get there?
Alongside Montessori shelves.
What is an Montessori shelf?
For Montessori to be considered shelves should be remain open and low, allowing children access to everything – their toys, equipment and games, all without the aid from an adult. They are made of natural materials and are a great solution to arrange the playroom.
Important: Even a small shelf could be dangerous for tipping. Make sure that all furniture is secured to the wall using anchors.
In contrast to the overflowing toys, Montessori shelves are well-organized and clear, they provide an organized space for all things and encourage the independence of children. The design of the shelves encourages children to be curious and explore in their own activities.
They follow Montessori’s guiding guidelines, which include:
The environment that is prepared
The mind that is absorbed (always always)
Auto-education
The child’s respect is paramount.
Sensitive periods (e.g. optimal times in which certain skills are the most easily learned)
What is the ideal size for the height of a Montessori shelf?
It doesn’t matter if it’s an item toy, family photograph, or a wall art The items within your child’s space should be at eye level and easily accessible to young hands. This is why furniture that is child-sized is an essential part of the Montessori home. This includes the shelves.
Consider the age of your child when selecting the shelf you want to use, making sure it’s at the correct size for your child. Here are some tips:
Shelf for infants: 16 inches high
Toddler shelf: ~24-32 inches tall
School-age shelf: 32-40 inches
Tips for organizing your Montessori shelf
It is essential that shelves are placed in a way that is optimally. Use these suggestions:
Make them accessible to everyone.
Accessibility is the primary feature of the shelves. Because they’re sized for children, each toy is easily accessible.
In the Montessori house, all of the things within the space of a child is planned in this manner. The furniture is small, making it easier for a child to look and use items for themselves, such as toys, toys as well as clothing.
Limit the amount of toys that can be used
An interesting piece of research is that toddlers who received only four toys, were more engaged in a meaningful way than those who received 16 toys.
The sheer number of choices can overwhelm even the most shrewd adult decision-makers, while children can quickly become overwhelmed by a room with a myriad of choices. Dr. Montessori was aware of this a long time ago and discovered that uncluttered spaces helped improve concentration.
Limit the amount of toys that can be placed within the room to around eight toys, and then store the remainder out of sight. This will lead to more creative and focused play as your child grows up and learns different ways to interact with the materials and activities.
Change toys frequently
Watch your child play. Based on the way they interact the toys, alternate them from once per week or once every few weeks. You may choose to rotate in a single session, or just a handful at a time, based on the interests of your child.
If you introduce new games be sure to guide your child around the room, showing how they’re organized and how to place them away. There’s no need to teach the kids how. Your child will learn it!
Utilize baskets to organize and display toys
Baskets make it simple for young hands to lift toys from a shelf and carry them to the floor or another room. They also make cleaning easy.
Toys should be stored unassembled
Children are enticed to make a piece of a puzzle and then dismantle it does not engage children in the same manner. Take apart toys as needed. Place them on a shelf for the child to look at and interact with, which can encourage participation.
Create a system to organize toys based on the level of difficulty
If toys are arranged by left to right according to difficulty or difficult, it’s simple for children to select activities at the level that they wish to “work” at (as Dr. Montessori said, “Play is the job for the kid. “).
Buy toys made of natural materials
Metal and wood toys give sensory stimulation that plastic toys do not. They’re usually open-ended, too so that kids can use them in many ways. In addition their design makes the room more attractive!
Give away a wide range of toys
As your child is exposed to different kinds of materials, toys and activities, they’ll be able to learn and grow in new ways. The variety available keeps them entertained as they learn and are curious.
Be aware of your child’s interests
Find toys that match your child’s interests, and assist them find new ones. It is possible that your child’s interest shift over the passage of time. So, observe the way they play and then look over what you own.
If, for instance, you notice that your child’s fascination with music, consider adding small bells, maracas or an xylophone to ensure they can play with music. Also, if you observe your child getting dissatisfied with a certain toy, take it off the shelves for a while and substitute it with something other.
Montessori toys to add to your shelves
Here are some of our most loved toys that were that are designed to stimulate curiosity and keep kids entertained and also look beautiful on any shelf at your home. These are only a few suggestions for toys, which should be designed around your child’s individual interests. In addition, take the chance to visit Ikea when you’re next there. They usually have a wide selection of toys that are Montessori-approved.
