How to Implement Montessori at Home on a Budget
Applying Montessori at home is expensive. I can’t afford that.
I hear these complaints from parents all the time. But implementing Montessori at home with babies and toddlers doesn’t need to break the bank. Montessori does go hand in hand with minimalism.
This blog post will show you how you can apply Montessori at home on a budget while supporting your child’s needs.
You can find unique items for your Montessori home in your local thrift stores.
Use what you have
Have you ever noticed what happens when you give a child a box with a present? Often, they end up playing with the cardboard box and ignoring the actual gift. This shows us that children don’t need expensive toys. They need simple and interesting objects to explore. In the following examples, I’ll show you how you can foster your child’s interest while being resourceful.
When your child shows interest in something, pause and ask yourself: “How can I support my child’s interest using things I already have?”
When Emma was 18 months old, she started showing interest in opening and closing. She would collect food containers from the drying rack. Then she found lids and started putting them together with the containers. So I decided to put together an opening and closing activity using objects I had at home. This free activity captivated her interest for weeks.
Is your baby pulling up, and you don’t have space in your home for a pull up bar and a mirror you often see in Montessori homes? Use a heavy ottoman that’s part of your living room and let your child pull up on it.
Do you want to include your child in cooking activities, but a learning tower is too big of an investment for you? Have your child do all the food prep at their small table. Or use a sturdy chair for your child to stand on while working at the kitchen counter.
DIY
Pinterest is a paradise for DIY projects. There you can find a tutorial for almost everything you want to make.
If you are handy, you can make your own learning tower, a Montessori shelf for toys, or a front-facing bookshelf. Many Montessori toys, such as the Object Permanence Box or the Coin Box, can be made using cardboard, paper, and other accessible materials.
Last year, Emma showed interest in bugs. So I printed out small pictures of different bugs. I stuck them on clear marbles and made a matching game (see below) for her. This low-cost DIY project was her favorite activity for weeks.
As mentioned earlier, follow your child’s interest before you dive into crafting new materials.
Go thrifting
Ask any Montessori teacher where she gets her practical life materials, and most of them will reply: “In thrift stores.” There you can find unique items for your Montessori home, such as baskets, trays, boxes, bowls, and pouches. You might even find pre-loved toys that are Montessori aligned.
The last time when I visited a local thrift store, I left with a woven basket and a wooden stacking toy, each for a dollar.
Before offering any pre-loved items to your child, inspect them thoroughly for defects.
The only downside of thrifting is that it can be time-consuming.
Search Facebook Marketplace and free local groups
Like thrifting, you can find various pre-loved or free items on Facebook Marketplace and local free groups. Parents often list items for free in exchange for pick-up. And if you’re lucky, you might come across pre-loved Montessori toys or furniture. Contrary to visiting thrift stores, you can search for desired items from the comfort of your home.
Practice abundance mindset
Forget what you see on Instagram. You don’t need a Pickler triangle, a learning tower, or pricy subscription boxes to implement Montessori at home. Work on letting go of a scarcity mentality and switch to an abundance mindset. You can do that by focusing on what you already have.
Also, remind yourself that the physical environment is just one element of the approach. The prepared adult is equally as important as the prepared environment. Educate yourself on childhood development, observe your child and respond to their needs in a way that honors your family budget.
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