The Montessori shelves are small open and constructed out of natural materials. They’re made to foster independence and allow youngsters to enjoy their playthings and use materials without assistance
Bins and baskets help make activities easy to tear down and store away
Buy toys made of wood along with other organic materials
Don’t present all toys at one time Instead, rotate them regularly
Have you realized that arranging your child’s bedroom in a particular manner can increase their independence? If you can create a conducive environment , it could lead to more imaginative play, encourage 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 have a low height and be open, allowing children the ability to access all their toys, equipment and other activities without the aid from an adult. They are made of natural materials and are a great solution to arrange the playroom.
Important: Even a simple 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 independence among children. The design of the shelves encourages children to explore their interests and play in activities on their own.
They follow Montessori’s guiding guidelines, which include:
The environment that is prepared
The absorption mind (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?
Be it an item toy, family photograph, or a wall art The items that is in the living area of your child should be at eye level and easily accessible to small hands. That’s why furniture designed for children is an essential part of an Montessori home, and that includes the shelves.
Consider the age of your child when selecting the shelf you want to use, making sure you have the proper height for them. Here are some tips:
Shelf for infants: 16 inches high
Toddler shelf: ~24-32 inches tall
Shelf for school-age children: 32-40 inches
Tips for organizing your Montessori shelf
It’s crucial that shelving is placed in a way that is optimally. Be sure to follow these guidelines:
Make them accessible to everyone.
Accessibility is the most crucial element of the shelving. Because they’re sized for a child, each item is easily accessible.
In the Montessori house, all of the things within the child’s room is designed in this manner. The furniture is small, making it easier for a child to look and use items for themselves, such as toys, toys and clothes.
Limit the amount of toys available
A fascinating bit of research is that toddlers who were given only four toys had a greater impact on their play way than those who were given 16 toys.
The sheer number of choices can overwhelm even the most shrewd adult decision makers , and kids can be easily overwhelmed by a room filled with options. Dr. Montessori recognized this many years ago and discovered that uncluttered spaces helped improve concentration.
Limit the amount of toys that can be placed in the room to eight and keep the remainder out of sight. This will allow for more imaginative and focused play as your child grows as they discover new methods to interact with toys and other materials.
Make sure to rotate toys regularly
Be aware of your child’s play. Based on their engagement with their toys, switch them around once a week, or every couple of weeks. You may choose to rotate in a single session, or just a handful at a time, based on your child’s preferences.
If you introduce new games be sure to guide your child around the room, showing how they’re organized and how to store them. It’s not necessary to explain to the kids how, your child will learn it!
Make use of baskets to organize and display toys
Baskets allow young hands to lift toys from a shelf and move them on the floor or to another room. They also make cleaning simpler.
Toys must be stored in a disassembled state.
Children are enticed to create a puzzle however, disassembling it isn’t engaging it in the exact same manner. Take apart toys as needed. Place them on a shelf for the child to look at to encourage their involvement.
Sort toys according to the level of difficulty
If toys are arranged by left to right in accordance with difficulty or difficult, it’s simple for children to select activities that are at the level they wish to “work” at (as Dr. Montessori said, “Play is the job for the kid. “).
Buy toys made from natural materials
Metal and wood toys give sensory input that plastic toys aren’t able to provide. They’re usually open-ended, too which means that children 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 various types of materials, toys and activities, they’ll be able to learn and grow in new ways. A variety of toys and materials within reach keeps them engaged in learning and awe.
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 activities change over the passage of time. So, observe the way they play and then examine what you have.
If, for instance, you notice that your child’s fascination with music, you can add maracas, bells, or an xylophone to ensure they can play with music. If you notice your child getting unhappy with a specific toy, take it off the shelf and substitute it with something other.
Montessori toys to add to your shelves
Here are some of our top toys that are created to get kids interested and keep kids entertained and also look beautiful on the shelves of your home. These are just a few ideas for toys, which should be designed around your child’s individual interests. Beyond that, take the chance to visit Ikea when you’re next there. They usually have a wide selection of toys that are Montessori-approved.
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