Creating a Montessori-inspired Playroom
Once our customers have seen how much their children engage with the Pikler triangle, they often find themselves asking how to introduce more elements from the Montessori philosophy into their playroom.
We spoke to Habitat Early Learning’s Montessori Advisor Smeeta Vanmali, about how to create a Montessori-inspired playroom at home.
Create a child-friendly, independent space
A core element of Montessori is creating spaces that are child-friendly. That means building an environment with child-sized furniture, artwork at children’s eye-level and equipment that they can safely use and learn with.
“One of the first things I suggest to parents is to discard those big tubs and toy chests where you’ve got all the toys piled in,” Smeeta says.
Instead, she recommends creating an area where a select group of toys or activities can be displayed and accessed independently by the child. “Get a nice little low shelf or a cube shelf. Babies will crawl to it to explore and older children have the freedom of choice to easily select what they want to play with.”
And as an added bonus, it’s also easier to put it away when they’re done – a key Montessori principle of order, respect and responsibility in Habitat’s Montessori classrooms.
Use baskets to present toys
“Presentation is really important in Montessori,” Smeeta says. “Get some small wicker/natural baskets or trays to present the toys. For babies, you might have three baskets – one with some rattles for auditory stimulation, another with soft fabrics and silks for sensory stimulation, and then some animals in the other for language development.”
In Habitat Early Learning’s Montessori classrooms, each toy has its own space that makes it easy for children to independently seek out an activity that interests them. This also reduces over-stimulation and allows children to concentrate on their chosen task.
Categorise toys to introduce language and sorting
Almost all children love playing with animal toys – and this is no different in a Montessori playroom. However, rather than a big plastic tub of mixed animals, the Montessori philosophy encourages categorisation to help build the child’s understanding of the natural environment and the roles animals play.
“When we’re playing with animals, we categorise them. So we might bring out a group of farm animals, or a group of pets. Then you can name them, explain the sound they make and talk about their size relative to the other animals in the collection. Then parents and caregivers can support and extend on this by taking the child to a farm or pet shop to see the real animals and bring their learning to life.”
The categorisation approach applies to any group of objects, but it’s also used frequently for another early childhood favourite – construction vehicles.
“Everything to a child is a digger – a crane, a bulldozer, an excavator, they all get called a digger.”
“If a child is interested in vehicles, it’s our role to provide figurines and explain ‘this is a bulldozer, it pushes the dirt’ or ‘this is a crane, this is how a crane works’. We’re naming them and explaining their purpose. Little children have a sponge-like capacity to absorb language to continue extending their love of learning.”
Use colour with consideration
At Habitat Early Learning, the Montessori classrooms have a sense of calmness that allows the children to focus deeply on their activity of choice. This also allows lessons around colour to be intentional. Children start by learning about the primary colours – red, blue and yellow. Once they’ve mastered this, secondary colours are introduced, and children are taught how to mix them through colour blending activities and art experiences.
If you’re wanting to create an authentic Montessori-inspired playroom, our Natural range is ideal. However, if your child is older, the Rainbow version provides an opportunity to learn about colour blending in more depth – be led by your child!
Less is more - rotate your room
Providing new experiences to interact with is important – but this doesn’t mean buying new things endlessly. Instead, rotate your toys to bring new choices into the playroom.
“Watch your child to see what they’re drawn to, and what they’re not. Keep whatever toy or equipment they’re constantly playing with, and rotate the rest,” Smeeta advises. Books should be a constant fixture, though you might choose to rotate what’s available. “Less is more, and be sure the books match your child’s development.”
You can even involve your child in the rotation process: “A little two year old will put their hand into a container and take something out that they’re interested in. That should be your prompt to go ‘okay, I’m going to set that up for you’. Involving the child in the process of setting up is important – it’s their space.”
Whatever you choose to create, always make sure there’s a nice, quiet area where they can go to have some time on their own, where they can access toys and equipment independently. The Pikler cover can be used to create a secluded, calming area if you’re short on space.
Our top Nimble Kids toys for a Montessori playroom
If you’re wanting to introduce Nimble Kids in your Montessori-inspired playroom these are the pieces we’d recommend:
The Small Pikler provides even more exciting opportunities for children to direct their play. It also supports language development around shapes, colours and problem solving.
This is ideal for younger children, as they can use the apparatus to pull themselves up, practice climbing movements and identify shapes.
The ramp adds an additional challenge to both Pikler triangles, by adding a sense of freedom in setting up the structure, balancing, sliding and rolling balls or cars. It also opens up language around angles, steepness, height and speed.
It instantly transforms the Small Pikler triangle into a more adventurous toy for growing children.
The simple nature of the Pikler triangle presents a wide range of opportunities and challenges for your child to accomplish. Improve balance, build muscle strength, practice counting the rungs, weave fabric through the rails and so much more.
The large size increases the opportunity for your child to challenge themselves. Pairing it with the Ramp and Small Pikler creates an incredible obstacle course, cubby structure and so much more.
You could also choose the Rainbow version, to start introducing language around colours.
About Habitat Early Learning
Habitat Early Learning is a leading early learning service, with centres in Ferny Grove, Nundah and Peregian Springs. Each service offers dedicated Montessori inspired classrooms for all ages under the guidance of experienced Montessori Advisor, Smeeta Vanmali. Habitat instils children with curiosity, confidence and sense of self that guides them long into the future. Find out more about Habitat Early Learning.
