What are Montessori shelves?

Montessori shelves are inspired by the Montessori method of educating kids where children play in an environment that provokes a child’s interest to be independent and accountable. They can take the toys out of the shelf and place them back later. Montessori shelves are usually:

• Low: They sit low so the child can view every activity comfortably and also use the edges as grips to hoist themselves up and move around their activities.
• Open: This is so the toys can remain visible and let the kid know they have activity options to choose from. Check out our post on Montessori Shelf Work.
• Stable: The shelf should hold the child’s weight if they grab it to keep the child safe.
• Clean and uncluttered: The shelves should be clean with spaces that aren’t filled with too many toys. The fewer options available, the better the child can focus.
• Interesting: The shelves are usually filled with colorful and artistic materials to spark interest in the child.
• Durable: Since they’ll have to last through all the stages of early childhood, the shelves are made with long-lasting materials.

Unlike overflowing toy boxes, Montessori shelves are organized and uncluttered, provide a designated space for everything, and promote independence in children. Their design invites a child to curiously explore and engage with activities on their own. They align with Montessori’s principles, which are:

• The prepared environment
• The absorbent mind (Always learning)
• Auto-education
• Respect for the child
• Sensitive periods (eg. ideal periods when certain skills are best acquired)

What’s the correct height for a Montessori shelf?

Whether it be a toy, a family photo, or wall art, everything in your child’s living space should be at their eye level and accessible for little hands. That’s why child-sized furniture is a key component of a Montessori home, and this includes your shelves. Factor in your child’s age when choosing your shelf to ensure it’s the right height. Here are some guidelines:

• Infant shelf: ~16 inches tall
• Toddler shelf: ~24-32 inches tall
• School-age shelf: ~32-40 inches tall

Tips to organize your Montessori shelf

It’s important that shelving be set up optimally. When looking for Montessori shelves, it’s essential to find those that fit the purpose. Or, if you are trying to build the shelves by yourself, you can check out some of the following setups made according to Montessori standards and policies.

Make them easily accessible

Accessibility is the most important aspect of the shelf. Because they’re an appropriate size for a child, every toy is within their reach. In a Montessori home, everything in a child’s space is designed this way. Low furniture makes it easy for a child to see and access items independently including toys, activities, and clothing. Shelves that allow kids to reach toys on their own help promote independence.

Limit the number of toys available

An interesting bit of research: A study found that toddlers who were offered just four toys played in a more meaningful way than toddlers who were offered 16. Too many choices can paralyze even the most confident adult decision-makers and a child can easily get overwhelmed by a playroom full of options.

Dr. Montessori knew this years ago and found that decluttered spaces led to increased concentration. Limit the number of toys in the space to about eight, and store the rest out of sight. This will result in more focused and imaginative play, as your child develops and discovers new ways of interacting with materials and activities.

Rotate toys periodically

Observe your child playing. Based on how they engage, rotate toys once per week to once every few weeks. You can choose to swap at all at once, or just a few at a time, depending on your child’s interests. When you introduce new activities, guide your child through the space, demonstrating how they’re organized and where to put them away. No need to show them how to play – your little one will figure it out!

Use baskets to display and organize toys

Baskets make it easy for little hands to take toys off a shelf and transport them to the floor or to another room. They also make cleaning up easier.

Toys should be stored disassembled

A child is inspired to put a puzzle together, but taking it apart doesn’t engage them in the same way. Disassemble toys when appropriate. Store on a shelf for a child to see, which will encourage engagement.

A tray with handles helps keep your shelf organized and can help your little one move toys to different spaces.

Organize toys based on difficulty

When toys are organized from left to right based on difficulty, it’s easy for a child to choose activities at the level they currently want to “work” at (as Dr. Montessori said, “Play is the work of the child.”).

Purchase toys made from natural materials

Wooden and metal toys provide sensory input that plastic ones simply don’t. They’re typically open-ended as well, meaning a child can play with them in countless ways. As a bonus, their style helps make the space more attractive!

Put out a variety of toys

As your child interacts with different types of toys, materials, and activities they’ll learn and develop in new ways. Having a variety within reach will keep them interested, learning, and curious.

Consider your child’s interests

Search for toys that support your child’s interests and help them discover new ones. You may find that these interests change with time, so observe how they play and review what you have. For example, if you see your child is interested in music, add small bells, maracas, or a xylophone so they can explore music. Similarly, if you see your kid feeling annoyed by a particular toy, remove it from the shelf for now and replace it with something else.

Conclusion

Montessori shelves are open storage spaces where kids can keep their toys and develop independence and organization. With the ideas provided above, you can bring this concept to your home and help your kid grow the Montessori way. Oh, and don’t forget to use trays to help organize your shelves!

Our suggestions for Montessori Shelves at A Matter Of Style

Sources and References

• How to Set Up Montessori Shelves (2021). Available at: https://www.paperpinecone.com/blog/how-set-montessori-shelves
• Jones, S. (2022) What Are Montessori Shelves? Plus A Few Popular Setups. Available at: https://montessorifortoday.com/what-are-montessori-shelves-plus-a-few-popular-setups/