How to Create a Montessori Home for Free

I'm sure you have seen and heard that Montessori schools are expensive and that the materials are overpriced. Yet still, you want to provide this wonderful and enriching education for your child and you are probably wondering how.

Well, this is my specialization! I will teach you right now some tips that you can do immediately that will create a home that is Montessori friendly for free.

Montessori can be done on a budget. It all depends on how you choose to do so, as well as, what you choose on investing in and what you can DIY. So, how will you do this? Simple!

Start with what you already have in your home. Of course, you can add material and other Montessori related things further down the line, but start with what you have. That's the key. I will, later on, write a post about budget-friendly Montessori material so subscribe to my blog to keep up to date.

Let's tackle this in sections of the house. Every area in the house can be optimized for your child and yes, that includes the kitchen!

Click here for the PDF checklist that you can print and use as you go along making adjustments in your home.

Kitchen

☑ Find a sturdy stepping stool that you can use for your child in the kitchen.

☑ Put your child's dishes in the bottom cupboard.

☑ Have cleaning materials accessible to your kid (a rag, a spray bottle with water/very diluted soapy water, dustpan and brush).

Bedroom

☑ Place their books on the lower shelf or place them in an easily accessible box.

☑ Place their clothes in the lower draws (baskets or boxes can be used as an alternative, and you do not have to put all their clothes there).

☑ Hang bags and backpacks on lower hooks.

Playroom - if you have one, otherwise this goes under the bedroom section

☑ Major toy purge (sort, giveaway or store all the non-essential, hardly used, old or non-Montessori toys). Leave minimal toys and display them in a manner that your child can see them all. You are creating a clutter-free minimal toy space for your child. If you have shelves that's great, otherwise, improvise! Use this time to clean the toys too.

☑ Create a working space for your child. Reuse a shoe rack as a working station, or use a small shelf for this, you can also use the top of a low piece of furniture. Use containers from the kitchen to hold pens and pencils (even an old milk carton would do!) Use kitchen trays for working trays or old shoebox lids.

☑ Reuse a coffee table as a working desk, or a bedside table or anything low and accessible.

Bathroom

☑ Place their towels and hand towels on lower hooks.

☑ Place a sturdy stool near the sink (this could be the same one that you will use in the kitchen).

☑ Use a plastic soap dispenser (it won't break if your kid drops it, you can reuse other dispensers that you have in the house, for example, we use my old shampoo bottle dispenser) or bar soap in an accessible area if that's what you have.

Living Room

☑ If your kid has a designated play area here, purge and leave minimal toys well displayed out.

☑ Keep their toys in an accessible box/basket.

Other

☑ Place artwork at their level (I have wall stickers that are at toddler height, it's a nice way to get them interested in patterns and art).

☑ Place their coats on lower hooks or the bottom rail in the entryway closet.

..and lastly, ☑ rearrange all spaces in general and remove/replace anything that might get in the way of your child. If you are having trouble with this then place your self at their level and look around.

Remember this checklist is to help you reuse and re-purpose things that you already have in the home.

Good luck with your changes. You will soon see the positive development of your child. Remember to have patience, teach your child how to use items that are now in his/her reach and watch them learn and grow!