Montessori Mondays
Montessori principle #1....... the prepared environment
The prepared environment develops independence
Montessori at home
Motto: A place for everything and everything in its place!
1. Games, toys, crayons, markers, etc all have a different basket, box or tub
2. These containers are then place on a shelf or along the wall, begin with 6 to 8 different choices.
3. Children then choose 1 container at a time to play with
4. When they are finished with the activity, everything goes back in the container and back where they found it.
Very Important: Only one thing at a time can be used and must be put away when finished!
5. Show your child how to play with one thing at a time and show how to put the container back.
6. Enforcing this rule is the key!
Start Small
Where to shop
Our favorite place to find cheap containers is the thrift stores. Baskets and tubs range from $.50 cents to $2.00. Once you begin the process, have your child help you find containers for their toys. It is a great way for them to feel a part of the process.
If you want to have shelves and they are out of your price range, one choice can be bricks and boards. See the picture below. Sometimes the lumber yards have discount pieces of wood and cinder blocks can be purchased there along with the boards.