chpt 7 Putting It Into Practice 3-5

HOW CAN YOU DO MONTESSORI ON A BUDGET?
Often people think that Montessori is synonymous with expensive wooden toys. However, it’s less about the Montessori materials and more about seeing our baby as capable and finding ways to treat our baby with respect, love, and gentle hands.


We can involve our baby in daily life and use what we already have—no need for new toys. They love to be alongside us and perhaps explore what’s inside the kitchen cupboards while we cook. Instead of buying an expensive set of stairs for climbing, we can practice on the stairs to a front porch. Instead of buying a set of swings, we can hang an old tire from a tree.


When we are looking for some Montessori materials, we can try making them ourselves, for example, the Montessori mobiles can be made with supplies found in a local craft store, or sometimes even with things we have around the home.


We can buy secondhand. Find local thrift stores where we can get some pre-loved wooden toys, baskets, and baby-friendly furniture.


We can repurpose furniture and some materials as our child grows, for example, a low shelf can become a bench to sit on, and a low cube chair can become a stool.


We can rent toys or buy them together in a community where we share more expensive materials.


We can get out into nature. We can take our baby for a walk in a baby carrier or stroller, we can lie on a blanket together in the park or on the beach or in the woods, and we can pass time watching the tree leaves and branches moving.


As we learn more about Montessori and its true principles, it becomes clear that it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to do Montessori at home.