Extending Montessori in the Home

We hope that this will give you some ideas for ways to implement the Montessori philosophy in an environment other than the school. Each home is and should be a unique place for a very special group of people. The following are suggestions for activities from which you can choose those most appropriate to fit your own lifestyle.

Provide your child with his or her own work area that includes a table and a few sturdy objects to work with. Introduce each new activity slowly and simply. Allow enough time for the child to become familiar with one activity before introducing another.

Arrange your child's room neatly and simply. Have low shelves for toys, and display only as many as can be displayed neatly. Rotate items from time to time.

Have child-sized furniture in children's areas with low hooks and rods for clothes and light switches within reach.

Allocate space for the child's own belongings and mark it in a recognizable way.

Provide the child with his own accessible cleaning materials: dustpan, brush, sponge, cloth, etc.

Have mirrors placed at the child's eye level.

Give the child the means of easily seeing outside through a window.

Help children learn the names of all objects in the home environment.

Allow the child to do some of the following practical life activities:    
Pouring beverages at mealtime
Washing fruits and vegetables
Watering plants and flowers
Washing or rinsing mealtime dishes
Folding simple laundry
Setting or clearing the table
Washing the table after meals
Cleaning mirrors or windows
Dusting furniture
Sweeping and mopping floors
Polishing brass, silver, furniture or shoes
Weeding the garden
Raking leaves
Caring for animals
Brushing or combing hair
Put away own clothing
Dressing and undressing with little assistance
Choosing own clothing for the day
Brushing teeth
Washing hands and face
Shaking hands for greeting
Placing own order at a restaurant
Offering something to a guest
Using the telephone courteously
Making own bed
Picking up own room
Preparing simple foods
Helping unload groceries