Okay, so you’ve decided that you want to do Montessori at home. The next questions are: how to get started and can you afford it? Montessori is known for being expensive due to the high quality materials that are used. Many companies out there (and even daycares) will label things “Montessori” just to bump up the cost and to attach extra value to their low value or decorative items. So it’s important to educate yourself on what Montessori is so that you can find the right materials that will help you be successful. Here are six steps to help get your Montessori homeschool started.
1. Plan Ahead
The first thing to do is planning. You will need to learn about Montessori and get a direction of how you are going to implement it into your home environment. There are certification courses out there that you can do if you choose. There are also books and several websites that you can review. What I found to be most helpful, was to take tours of a few Montessori preschools to get clever ideas and compare their differences. You will also need to have a general idea of what your child already knows, so that you know where to begin. However, starting with things that your child has already mastered could still be useful for them as it will help them become confident (and they will likely enjoy teaching what they know to younger kids).
2. Look Around
Next, assess what materials you may already have. The basic Montessori learning environment typically includes low shelves that are at the child’s level, a mat/rug that rolls up, natural lighting, and live plants. You will need some baskets, trays, boxes, tins, and other natural (ideally non-plastic) containers to display the materials. The materials themselves can also come from objects that you already have. The sensorial, practical life and cultural learning categories are the easiest to utilize home found and home-made objects.
3. Local Resources
Once you’ve scoured your home for things to use, you then need to check out your local resources. You can find many quality items from garage sales that are affordable (That is where I found many affordable baskets). Thrift stores and Facebook market place are also great places to find good deals on items you need.
4. Online Resources
Next, check out some online resources. There are several Facebook groups that sell used Montessori materials that you can utilize. There are also great sites that provide wonderful materials that you can download and print off (I printed on card stock to add durability and texture. It’s best to avoid laminating). Keep in mind, you will need a variety of Montessori materials. If most of your materials are paper, it might not be as appealing to your child.
5. DIY
Making your own materials is a great way to get high quality materials at a cheaper price. I found woolen felt to be a great material to make tactile manipulatives that is affordable. Other affordable items include glass rocks or “dragon eye’s,” which can be found at dollar stores. You can also use cheap rattan plate holders as great trays for materials (the ones that keep your paper plate sturdy when picnicking). Other ideas can include mosaic stone tiles separated from a back splash sample from any hardware store. You could also make clay items and bake them. There are so many possibilities! However, one thing I struggled with when making my own materials was time. I started late in the game and struggled to keep up with how quickly my daughter was learning. So be sure to plan ahead and be realistic.
6. Look for Deals
Finally, you will need to do some shopping around find good prices on things that you plan to buy. There are sites that sell new Montessori materials that are cheaper than your traditional Montessori dealers (many are found on Amazon). You will need to pay attention to descriptions and specific attributes, as some colors may vary from what is typically used, font types for letters and numbers may not be ideal for new learners, or they may just be poor quality and not worth it.
