Zoning Of The Montessori Children’s Room
November 26, 2021The method assumes that the space of a child’s room, arranged according to Maria Montessori’s system, must be divided into separate territories, each of which must fulfill its specific functions: a place for sleeping, for changing clothes, and for activities and creativity. At the same time, children must define these zones and the materials for them themselves. Several children can be in the zone for activity and creativity at the same time, but if the child wants to work there alone, it is not necessary to disturb him/her.
According to the Montessori method, it is recommended to establish the following educational zones in the child’s room for full development of the child:
- Native Language. This zone involves learning letters, expanding the vocabulary, developing reading and writing skills. Here it is necessary to have a movable alphabet, volumetric letters made of materials of different textures.
- This zone is needed to develop a child’s logical thinking, to improve the ability to build logical chains, to master the first skills, and gain the first knowledge of mathematical calculation and mathematical operations.
- This zone will be an introduction to astronomy, the animal and plant world, and the environment. Posters, photographs, bingo-style games, models of the globe, and space system will be needed.
- Sensory development. In this zone, a child will develop the senses of taste, touch, sight, will be able to get acquainted with the concepts of temperature, weight, length, etc. It will be necessary to have children’s scales and other measuring instruments, musical instruments, materials with different properties (stone, water, fabrics, etc.).
- Practical activities. Development of skills of independent self-care, development of fine motor skills of hands, the study of properties of objects of the surrounding world. For this purpose it is possible to use children’s means for hygiene and self-care, simulators for buttoning, materials that can be sorted, poured over, scattered, and many other things.
Also in a child’s room according to the Montessori system, it is possible to define a separate space for dancing, physical training, drawing, singing or anything else depending on the abilities and interests of the child
A correct and harmonious environment in the child’s room is the key to the correct, comprehensive, and interesting development of the child, that’s why our Montessori furniture sets take into account the principles of this method as much as possible: they are made of natural materials and have only a calm white color or natural wood, tables and chairs have special slots – handles that allow children to move them independently. When designing our Montessori furniture, we also took into account the weight and made the furniture light enough for children to move it around the room by themselves.