Montessori in the nursery: Help me to do it myself

Children bring so much joy into our lives, but they also present situations that make us reflect and even doubt ourselves. Don’t you often find yourselves asking: ‘Am I actually doing this right?’, ‘How do I actually do this properly?’ and ‘Is there even a “right” way?’. We believe that there is no ‘right’ way. Everyone does things differently in every situation, in their own way. And that is exactly what Montessori is all about.

What does Montessori mean?

The Italian doctor and educationalist Maria Montessori (1870–1952) developed the Montessori method. The guiding principle ‘Help me to do it myself’ means that we provide our children with a framework in which to play, live and learn. We support them in using their natural curiosity and drive for exploration to discover their own abilities and interests, and to learn through both successes and setbacks.

3 reasons to bring Montessori into your home

Montessori is an educational philosophy and practice developed by the Italian doctor and educator Maria Montessori. It emphasises independence, self-directed learning and the child’s individual development. But what are the benefits of Montessori for your child?

Self-directed learning: Montessori encourages independent learning, allowing children to explore their own interests and talents.
Concentration and independence: Through Montessori activities, children can develop independence and concentration.
Freedom of movement: Montessori encourages children’s physical activity and focuses on active learning.

How to incorporate Montessori into your home

Supporting your child’s development at home using the Montessori method isn’t complicated at all. With simple measures, you can create an environment that encourages your child’s independence. We’ve put together a few ideas for you.

1. Choosing their own clothes

A Montessori wardrobe at child height encourages independence in everyday life. Whether it’s a small coat rack in the hall or their own wardrobe – children learn to choose their own clothes and tidy them away. In this case, less is more: a clear selection of seasonal favourites helps them make decisions easily and without feeling overwhelmed.

About the Montessori wardrobe

2. Tidying up together

When everything has its place, even tidying up after playing is fun. It also helps to foster your child’s independence and sense of responsibility. This works best with storage space that children can access themselves. If you keep toys in boxes, order stickers with symbols can be a great help.

Find out more at storage & organisation

3. Exploring nature in the Montessori home

Montessori places great importance on connecting with nature. Take your child outside, collect chestnuts, shells or leaves, and watch animals. Independent exploration also encourages your child’s individual development. Your child can dig in the sandpit or help you water and look after plants. If you don’t have a garden, you can set up a ‘ mud kitchen’ even on the smallest of balconies.

Mud kitchen Build it yourself

4. Imitating everyday life through role-play

Maria Montessori observed and encouraged the active imitation of everyday life. She therefore emphasised imaginative play and play materials that allow children to imitate everyday life. With role-play sets such as the ‘ play shop’ or the ‘ play kitchen’, you can act out and process everyday situations with your children. Playful preparation, such as for a visit to the vet, also helps your child to become more independent.

IKEA Hacks for the ‘ play shop’

IKEA Hacks for the ‘ play kitchen’

5. Sensory activities

: ‘You mustn’t play with your food!’ In Montessori education, that’s not quite true. Children are welcome to explore food at length. Feeling different shapes and textures helps develop your child’s sensory skills. Sorting by colour or smelling different scents are also exciting activities for your child.

Discover the sensory table

6. Creating zones in the

children’s

room

In a Montessori children’s room, it is important to create zones. The play area should be clearly identifiable and stand out from a quiet corner or the sleeping area. You can achieve this very effectively by choosing the right wall colours. For a quiet area that is cosy and peaceful. In this area, every child can unwind from the excitement of the day, read or have a story read to them.

Ideas for wall design

7. Child-height washbasin

As well as choosing what to wear, brushing teeth, washing hands and combing hair are all part of the daily routine. Not exactly our little ones’ favourite activities. But perhaps washing and styling themselves will become a bit more popular than having Mum or Dad fiddling about with them. Many parents use a learning step in the bathroom, which allows the child to stand at the washbasin on their own. But there are other ideas too that can help your kids become more independent.

Tips for a Montessori bathroom

8. Simple food

preparation: Washing

fruit

, making a sandwich or mixing baking ingredients together – let your child help out in the kitchen! This works best with a learning tower that gives your child access to the worktop. But be careful: never leave your child unattended in the learning tower.

IKEA Hacks learning tower

Montessori Waschmaschine mit Wäscheständer

9. Sorting laundry

Even very young children can learn to put dirty laundry in the laundry basket through play. Many children also enjoy pairing up clean socks. If you fancy it, you can even build a washing machine and a clothes horse for role-play.

Making a washing machine with washing drum for children

An IKEA hack for Montessori children's rooms
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Montessori DIY clothes horse for children

We show you how you can easily make a clothes horse for children. True to the Montessori motto "Help me to do it myself".
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10. Encourage art and creativity

. Provide your child with materials to be creative, such as paper, paints, coloured pencils, clay or craft supplies. This will allow them to give free rein to their imagination and develop their artistic skills. A lovely idea is a craft trolley in which you can store various pens, paints and materials.

Tips for the craft trolley