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Setting up a Montessori toddler classroom (and home)

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I’m going to show you how I set up our new Montessori toddler classroom where I run parent-child classes here in Amsterdam.

We moved in just 2 weeks ago in a weekend (not recommended!) and it took me two weeks to recover. But it already feels like the cosiest new home and I’m so grateful to all the families who have been so supportive and patient and open to trying something new.

So let’s get started…

Planning the space

I love using paper to play around with options for setting up our classroom…

planning a Montessori toddler classroom

Then you have to wait and see how it looks and feels in the space when you set up your Montessori classroom (or home). I had to try out a few versions but all I can say is it feels like magic at the end when everything sits in just the right place.

planning a Montessori toddler classroom

Making every part of the environment engaging

Observing how the children have settled into the space has been fascinating. Most children seem to recognise the activities and get straight to work. Others have found a cosy spot to sit and observe with their adult until they get started.

What I have observed is that there is a distribution of children throughout the whole space. There will be a child in the language corner, another child or two working on self-expression (art and craft), someone in the music corner tinkering, and other children working on puzzles, fine motor work or in the gross motor area.

Every area is being used. As an educator this makes me very happy.

Which made me have some interesting conversations with some of the adults when I asked, “Which areas are not being fully used in your own homes?” and even more importantly, “Why would that be?”

So which areas are not being fully used in your own home? Is there too much adult-sized furniture? Is it dark in that area? Is it not somewhere the children walk past very often? How could you make it more inviting?

10 corners of our classroom

So here is a quick look around our Montessori toddler classroom to hopefully inspire you. Hope you love it as much as I do!

Montessori toddler language area
#1 our language corner and dressing frames
music area Montessori toddler classroom
#2 music area
painting area Montessori toddler classroom
#3 easel for chalk & painting
reading corner Montessori toddler classroom
#4 reading corner (& area for baby siblings)
Art area Montessori toddler classroom
#5 self expression (and drawers with art supplies)
Snack area Montessori toddler classroom
#6 snack area – food preparation & eating snack together
Climbing wall Montessori toddler classroom
#7 cosy cube & climbing wall
Climbing area Montessori toddler classroom
#8 more movement possibilities (and our hoop for singing time at the end of the morning)
Practical life area Montessori toddler classroom
#9 practical life – hand washing & flower arranging
Fine motor skills Montessori toddler classroom
# 10 eye-hand coordination

Want to know more about setting up your spaces to create engaging spaces?

Feeling inspired and want to freshen up your spaces? Here’s 3 things you can do:

1. Watch my 3-minute YouTube video on setting up your home

2. Read chapter 4 of The Montessori Baby for ideas to set up your space for children under 1 year old OR chapter 4 of The Montessori Toddler for ideas for toddlers from 1 to 3+ years

3. Or if you want some help step-by-step and room-by-room, sign up for my 4-week self-study online workshop “Setting up you home Montessori-style”.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing our new space. We love it so much already.