More and more, families are finding themselves in a situation where they want to start homeschooling. If you are choosing to homeschool using the Montessori Method or are inspired by the philosophy, there are a few things you can keep in mind when preparing your home for learning! 

Key elements of Montessori

There are a few key elements of a Montessori space. These were prepared by a Montessori-trained educator, and you can find more details here. 

The Prepared Environment 

Our goal when preparing a learning environment is to understand the developmental needs of the children who we are serving. There are general characteristics of a Montessori environment that you can apply to your homeschool setup to meet the physical and psychological needs of your child/children. 

Every environment looks and feels different, however, as adults, we aim to prepare an environment that allows for freedom, movement, and opportunities for independence and concentration. 

Physical environment 

Ideally, there are choices options for where a child can work. It is nice to have a variety such as tables, Chowkis, and floor rugs, although you might be limited by space. If you can, you can also set up some work areas outside. Open shelving is used to store and display materials and activities. It is also important to make sure the children have access to anything they may need (e.g. the sink). As adults, we work incredibly hard to keep the environment orderly, beautiful, and developmentally appropriate. 

Prepared Adult

It is the role of the adult to prepare and maintain the environment-making sure everything is complete, in good condition, and enticing. The role of the adult is also to observe the child in order to link them with the right material at the right time. As adults, we set the guidelines and hold the boundaries so that the children feel safe and comfortable, knowing what is expected of them. 

Homeschooling kids of different ages

When it comes to a prepared environment, you might be wondering about how to prepare a space that works for your family. If you have children of different ages it can be challenging to try to keep the environment strictly Montessori for each of them. The good news is that the Montessori Method is designed around children of different ages! Montessori classrooms don't just have one age in them; each class has a range of children with a range of needs and skill sets. If you refer back to the three steps above, you'll find that you can accommodate your whole family in a way that is safe and developmentally appropriate. 

Mikaela from Project Based Primary shared about preparing her space for children of multiple ages:

"That definitely can be tricky, especially with an age gap, but when working towards setting up your own home learning space I always encourage people to think about how you can define the individual spaces. Can’t fit more than one shelf? Assign the top two selves to your older child/ren and the bottom shelf and under the shelf to your younger child/ren. Can’t work at a table together without disaster? Grab some Chowki tables that can easily stack out of the way and be brought out when each child needs them. At the end of the day my motto, Less is More, is where I always start. Look at what your space is already bringing to the table, identify the needs that still exist, and then find a solution that can be multifunctional if possible, and be used over time."

To read more about her space, see here!

Meaningful Work

When preparing your activities, it is important to remember that children are drawn to meaningful work. When a new skill is introduced and modeled, children are learning the motion of this skill. There should be many opportunities to practice these skills in a practical way. 

Example: Sorting

Meaningful sorting work: sock matching, coin sorting, putting away silverware, separating various materials by color, etc.

Example: Scooping & Pouring

Meaningful Scooping & Pouring work: bean scooping, plant watering, refilling dry materials, pouring themselves a cup of water, filling muffin tins, etc. 

Some homeschool environment options

There is a lot that you can consider when preparing a homeschool space, and if you are looking for some options, here are a few things that might work in your educational space for your home! 

There are a couple of options for work surfaces. If you have the space, a Large Table can be a dedicated space that is returned to as needed. For those needing a multipurpose space, this can also be a good option! If you are concerned about optimizing a smaller space, Chowki Tables are portable desks that can stack and be pulled out for use as needed. 

Shelving can eliminate visual clutter, keep materials close and visible, avoid distraction, and invite children to maintain order and keep things organized. 

Practical work happens naturally in the home. The key thing to keep in mind is that the surfaces and tools are accessible. A Toddler Tower can bring your little one up to the counter, washer, sink, window, etc. If you prefer a dedicated space, a Washing Station might be helpful! 

See our entire Home Classroom Collection HEREfor ideas! 

One important thing to keep in mind is that you can set up your space, but it doesn't need to be a permanent setup! As you observe your little one(s), you can adapt and set up your homeschooling room to meet their needs. 

Lastly, you do not need anything to make your space a homeschool space beyond what works for your family's life, home, and budget.