This year I want to bring you more relatable home tours, ideas for smaller spaces, and ideas that suit a wide range of budgets. Today I want to share some really practical and creative ideas for Montessori wardrobes. All of these ideas are low to no cost, many require the use of materials that are second hand or that are repurposed! This is a wonderful example! The wardrobe is height adjustable. The parents have some clothes up high for them to reach and will lower the branches when their child is old enough to dress themselves. "This is how I... Read more →

At the start of the New Year, the entryway feels like a good place to start with a refresh and a tidy-up! The entryway can be a key area in maintaining order and organisation of things like hats, coats and shoes, which otherwise might be a stressor. The entryway can be an important part of a smooth transition from the comfort of the home to the outside world. I've always found the more organised we are the smoother the transition. Children who are organised may feel calmer and more confident when leaving the home. I also want to acknowledge the... Read more →

Play dough is a staple in our home all year round. It holds my three-year-old's attention far longer than any toy. As with many of our activities, I rotate the items on our play dough tray regularly. Perhaps every two weeks I will update the play dough tray but sometimes it happens naturally when the play dough is left out or my child finds his own materials to add to the tray. Play dough has to be the most affordable, effective, and engaging learning material for young children. Using what you have at home it's also super easy to add... Read more →

My most viewed article this year was when we reviewed ten kitchen and chef knives for children 2-12yrs. It can be difficult to determine which knife would suit your child and their stage of development best. I thought it would be useful to show you what knives other Montessori families are using and to see them in action. Here are nine videos of very capable toddlers and preschoolers, chopping and slicing at home and at school. Here the child is using a wood handle spreader to cut celery. Spreaders often make good knives especially in the early years when the... Read more →

(Christina's children James and Lilah reading Montessori abc's) There is a new book on our shelves and I know you are going to love it. It's an authentic Montessori style alphabet book written and photographed by Montessori parents! Montessori abc's (AU link here) is written by Christina Clemer (Montessori-ish Mom) and photographed by Nick Karwoski. It's wonderful to see a Montessori style alphabet book that is so true and genuine. Christina decided to publish Montessori abc's after making a similar book for her son James. Montessori abc's has: a simple easy-to-follow layout engaging and interesting images phonetic words/images a single... Read more →

I get such a spark and a lift from looking at really beautiful Montessori spaces. All of these spaces are real, comfortable, and cozy!! These spaces are lived in. I hope you enjoy. ❤️ A bedroom for Nash. So many cute elements. Forward-facing bookshelves, low shelves, a comfortable small chair, and a floor bed. Lots of natural and neutral colours. Many families don't like to have toys in the bedroom, but I like the idea. The child can play during quiet time or before and after a nap. This room has lots of practical ideas. A low hanger for the... Read more →

Today I want to share six lovely, practical Montessori inspired bedrooms. There is no one right way to design a Montessori bedroom, our needs and likes are different, our families and homes are different. Let's take a closer look. This is such a big space and I love how the owners have been able to incorporate lots of different zones including zones for reading, dressing, sleeping and playing. I also love the use of natural earthy colours. There is lots of colour in this room but it still feels warm and soothing. This rooms just looks so cozy. The materials,... Read more →

I've been reading In The Spirit of The Studio: Learning From The Atelier Of Reggio Emilia (a fantastic Reggio book) and art is on my mind. This week I've refreshed our art area and introduced an awesome easel. Otto is almost three so I feel the need to add some more interesting elements especially in the area of mark making. So I've sought the perspective of other Montessori parents and teachers. Here are a few Montessori art shelves I've found interesting in homes and schools. This is in the home of a 4 and a 11 year old. They have... Read more →

Over the weekend I gave Otto's toddler bedroom a little refresh. It reminded me how we are constantly changing and adapting the environment to suit the child. Here are a few Montessori bedrooms that I'm loving right now. A toddler bedroom from Buenos Aires. This just feels so bright and airy. The furniture design is lovely! This room inspired me to put a little table and chair back into Otto's room. This is from an eco-minded family. But this clean child-friendly design would also work well for Montessori families. Another reminder that (depending on your climate) a mattress on the... Read more →

Here are some resources that I've found useful this week. All of these have been created by Montessori or like minded parents and educators. I'm listening, learning, and sharing. Our Big Work: Reflections on being Anti-Racist Montessorians at Montessori for Social Justice. Resources for Talking to Children About Race and Racism at Trillium Montessori. Talking to Your Child About Race and Racism at My New Life a Lovevery Podcast. This is hard but please listen. Jessica Rolph speaks to Julie Lythcott-Haims. Julie is an author, speaker, and activist based out of Palo Alto, California. She identifies as a black and... Read more →

Silence can be harmful. I feel like I don't know enough about race to say anything but I don't want to be silent. I have a voice and I want to share some of the small actions I've taken this week. (Pre)Ordered: AntiRacist Baby Board Book – by Ibram X. Kendi (Author), Ashley Lukashevsky (Illustrator). The National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist has written a new board book that empowers parents and children to uproot racism in our society and in ourselves. "A beautiful board book that shows parents and children... Read more →

Our entryway is lacking, so I thought it might be a good time to revisit the subject. These are all recent entryways from real Montessori families. Lots of commonalities but all very different homes! This takes up a bit of space, but has almost everything the child would need including a mirror. A space for sunglasses, tissues and a hair brush is a good idea. Here they are using the clear Command style hooks. Mirror, basket and lots of hooks! These look similar to Command hooks too which are good for this purpose as they are removable and in a... Read more →

Today I want to share some fantastic Montessori bedrooms. All of these have low beds and most have low toys and books. We can see that the child, not the adult, is at the centre of the design process. Perhaps this is what makes Montessori bedrooms different to other mainstream bedrooms. I want to note that the floor bed is not everything, many Montessori families use other options like co-sleeping, low toddler beds and even cribs. If you are using a crib I hope you still find some of the ideas found in these room useful. The reason I want... Read more →

Montessori bedrooms are often minimalistic, simple and ordered, but this doesn't mean they can't be beautiful too. How do we create a beautiful Montessori bedroom? Here are some wonderful examples. "We’ve been working on “Montessori-ing” Ardyn’s room for the past few months. She has her own space to continue developing her independence as she grows ❤️ ⁣I absolutely love how it turned out and I think she does too ✨⁣". This room is full of texture and personality and feels bright and fresh. There are many materials and books in this space but it is ordered. The colours including a... Read more →

I'm needing a good dose of Montessori realness and cuteness! Here are a few spaces that I'm loving and admiring. This room is calming and soothing. This is how you introduce children's toys without overwhelming the room! Another refreshingly real space that is calm and well organised for the child. A gorgeous bedroom for a 17-month old toddler. This picture is via Sprout but the family is Inspired Little Learners, Allison has some of the cutest pictures around! I love just how real and practical this is. This bed looks so cosy and comfortable! Real, nice and simple play area.... Read more →