Montessori parenting grew so popular in the last few years that specific terms became trendy and lost their original meaning completely, as people used the words for marketing and content. It's time to deliver some memetic defenses…

Montessori shelf

The purpose of using a shelf is to make toys/activities visually appealing, accessible for kids.

What it’s not:

Just because toys are in a shelf it doesn't make it Montessori - here, each cube is full of things, it's not easy to see or choose from…

What it is:

Here's 2 examples of what a Montessori shelf looks like, from howwemontessori.com and montessorimethod.com. Each activity is contained, there is empty space between things - so it's not cluttered and kids have an easier time finding things and putting them back. It’s orderly!

Montessori library

What it’s not:

These became really popular to use in nurseries, kids' bedrooms and playrooms. The original purpose of front-facing bookshelves was to make it easy for kids to select and independently access books...

Well, if they are stuffed to the brim *and* are hung up high, not only can kids not see the books they have clearly, but they can't reach them on their own. The purpose is completely lost.

What it is:

Here are some real montessori bookshelves by montessorimotherberlin.com (yes 4 books!)

Of course, with older kids or in a classroom setting it's completely fine to have more options available. but when it comes to Montessori at home with babies or toddlers, you're really looking to have very little available to them - be it toys or books.

As mentioned in my last post, storage =/= display

Montessori “toys”

First of all, there are not really any Montessori toys. the objects we use in classrooms are pedagogical materials. There are, however Montessori-aligned toys which can be great at home. The overlap between these and things marketed as "Montessori toys" is minimal.

What it’s not:

People seem to think anything wooden or "educational" is Montessori. I also notice a lot of the things using this word are strangely multifunctional, cramming a lot of purposes into one object. This is, hilariously, the opposite of what we look for in Montessori materials!

What it is:

Not only can Montessori materials be made of plastic, metal, fabric, etc., they are designed to isolate a specific property for the child's exploration (size discrimination, or sound, or shape).

“Montessori bed”

Oh, these would have Maria Montessori rolling in her grave. The whole point of a floor bed is to give young children unobstructed view and freedom of movement - without bars getting in their way.

What it’s not:

An expensive bed frame shaped like a house is not a Montessori bed…

(By the way, I literally have no idea why the house shape is a thing. It haunts me. I have bonked my head against these annoying bedframes more times than I care to admit.)

What it is:

Instead, a Montessori floor bed should be simply a mattress or futon on the floor, or on a very basic low frame, which allows babies to climb in and out of bed. Here's a picture from thekavanaughreport.com and an awesome video from montessori like a mother.

Montessori wardrobe

As with the toys and books, the point here is to display a limited amount of clothes for a toddler to be able to choose from independently. Unfortunately as they became trendy, for some reason they also became huge:

What it’s not:

I believe the problem here is again mixing up storage and display. while some kids might be ok having all these clothes available and in sight, for most it will be an invitation to pull everything off and dump everything out. It's too many options all at once!

What it is:

The idea is to have very limited choices, in an accessible way. It shouldn't be overwhelming! Only make available what you're cool with them mixing and matching, and is appropriate for the current weather. Otherwise you'll be saying "no" and messing with their autonomy a LOT.

Below, some pictures from themontessoritwinmama.com and thekavanaughreport.com (I love the toddler friendly changing station here!)

Montessori kitchen

Honestly, unlike the other examples, I'm not against it. I think having running water and a mini fridge for snacks can be great - if it works for you and your kids. But keep in mind - these are high-touch options, and not really necessary. It doesn’t have to be this.

What it is:

You can give your toddler the same level of independence with a small prep surface or even by clearing some low cabinet space in your existing adult-sized kitchen for their snacks and utensils. Pics from themontessorichildathome.blogspot.com and howwemontessori.com

Instead of running water in a small sink, you can do what is common in Montessori school environments - a pitcher they can fill and a tub/bowl-, or bring in a toddler tower / stepstool for them to reach the regular sink.

“Montessori aesthetic”

My last bone to pick is with the "sad beige" aesthetic. For some reason, lots of people think this is what Montessori means!

What it’s not:

Montessori spaces don’t have a defined aesthetic, they are not supposed to be bland or boring. Not everything is wooden or brown…

What it is:

In reality, Montessori spaces - even baby spaces - can be as colorful as you like, and can adapt to your aesthetic and culture. While we prefer neutral tones for furniture, this is so that the materials can stand out and the environment isn't overwhelming. Color is wonderful!

Pics from thekavanaughreport.com and howwemontessori.com

If you want to do Montessori at home right and need some help figuring out how to make it work in your space with your own family, book a consultation with me:

I'll show you the way! 🫡

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