A Complete Guide to Montessori Furniture

Montessori educators give a lot of significance to the environment in which children work, play, and learn. Montessori speaks about ‘Preparing’ this environment carefully with the child at the core of everything. This topic is called as Prepared Environment in Montessori.

One of the vital areas in Prepared Environment is the furniture design and set-up that meets the physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of children. One cannot just set up any furniture in a Montessori preschool. The furniture has to be precise, designed with the right measurements and must serve a purpose for the child. I cannot stress how important furniture is in a Montessori classroom. In this In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essentials of Montessori furniture, why it matters, and how to select the right pieces for your preschool or home.

Table of Contents

• Features of Montessori Furniture
• Essentials of Montessori Furniture
• Setting up the right space with Montessori Furniture
• Maintenance of Montessori Furniture

Features of Montessori Furniture

Montessori furniture isn’t just a design choice; it’s a functional part of the learning environment.

Child-Sized Dimensions

The furniture is scaled down to fit the child’s size, making it easy for them to move, sit, or reach items without adult assistance. This boosts their self esteem greatly because at that age, children want to do things on their own. And the adult sized materials and furniture are not meant for them or safe for them. Hence, the furniture is manufactured for their little hands to reach and weighs as much they can easily carry and build their physical strength.

Natural Materials

We should only manufacture Montessori furniture using wood or other natural materials to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Humans are naturally drawn to natural materials. If given the choice between wood and plastic chairs, which would you prefer?” child like adults also feel connected to natural materials.

Open Shelving

Shelves are open and at eye level so that children can choose their activities independently. The shelves are always in the reach of children. The top most row in the shelves should also be at the eye level of children.

Essentials of Montessori Furniture

Child Sized Wooden Tables and Chairs

Wooden tables and chairs are essential furniture pieces in every preschool, whether it follows a Montessori approach or a traditional setup. They provide a comfortable place for children to engage in activities that need back support and ease of hand movement like drawing, crafting, writing, eating, and reading.

In a Montessori preschool, children are taught how to move chairs and sit safely without getting hurt, as well as how to carry tables with the assistance of an adult or other children.This is really important as it let’s children be independent and boosts their self confidence and fosters their need to do things by themselves.

It should be noted that these chairs and tables are of child size. When purchasing look for wooden chairs and tables with rounded corners.

Chowkis

Originated from India, chowkis are low wooden tables that have an height of around 8 inches. Chowkis originated from Indian. They are used for all many purposes in India for example eating food, reading, writing, performing pooja and other rituals. These provide comfort to anyone who prefers to sit on the floor and work. They are easy to carry and can be stacked one top of other.

Maria Montessori loved the concept of Chowkis during her stay in India and incorporated these into her schools.

In a Montessori setting, chowkis serve multiple purposes, often acting as low work surfaces where children can sit on the floor and engage in activities, as well as storage spaces for various learning materials.

Lifting Chowkis builds physical strength, balance and eye hand coordination. By using a chowki, children can engage with materials directly, encouraging them to choose, use, and put away items on their own.

Montessori schools in India have 15 to 20 Chowkis in each environment.

Wooden Shelves

Open child sized wooden shelves are prominent to Montessori preschools. Wooden shelves allow children access to Montessori materials without assistance. This promotes freedom to choose and freedom to work.

The shelves are about a meter long and open from both sides thus providing access from both the sides.

We avoid using the topmost space for storing materials because it’s too high for children to reach, and they tend not to choose items placed there since it’s outside their line of sight.

For Toddlers age group i.e., children below the age of 3 years, there are two types of shelves. One with single row and another with two rows.

We arrange all Montessori materials, including EPL, Sensorial, Language, and Math, in a sequence on these shelves. Each row typically holds only three materials, providing ample space for easy access and organization.

Material Stands

There are specific wooden stands for some materials. We recommend placing such materials on stands designed specifically for them, as they may not fit on the shelves, be easily visible, or be simple to remove from the shelves.

Cylinder Blocks Stand

Pink Tower Stand

Brown Stairs Stand or Table for Brown Stairs

Table for Red Rods/Long Stairs and Table for Number Rods

Storage Cabinets

Storage cabinets are low, accessible cabinets designed to store and organize learning materials and classroom supplies like clean napkins, clean dusters, colored pencils, various kinds of papers, grains for various grains activity, glue etc.

Practical Life Stations

Practical Life Stations support real life skills like washing hands, cleaning clothes, cleaning utensils, flower arrangement table and small sinks. They are usually made from durable, water resistant material. Their height should be lower than the chest level of children so that children can perform the activities easily.

Setting Up a Montessori Space with the Right Furniture

Setting up a Montessori environment involves arranging furniture to promote flow, freedom, and a sense of order. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an effective space:

1. Define Learning Zones: Designate areas for specific activities, such as reading, art, and practical life. Arrange furniture in a way that clearly marks these zones.
2. Arrange for Accessibility: Place items within children’s reach. For example, open shelving with accessible trays and baskets allows them to choose materials independently.
3. Incorporate Natural Elements: Include furniture and decor that bring the outdoors inside. Wooden furniture, plants, and natural light create a calm atmosphere.
4. Leave Open Space: Allow enough open floor space for movement and activities. This flexibility is key in a Montessori setting.

Maintaining Montessori Furniture

To ensure that Montessori furniture remains functional and safe, regular maintenance is essential. Here are some tips:

1. Clean Regularly: Wipe down surfaces with mild, child-safe cleaners. Keep shelves organized to maintain an orderly environment.
2. Check for Safety: Periodically inspect furniture for loose screws, splinters, or other hazards. Address any safety concerns immediately.
3. Encourage Respect: Teach children to treat furniture with care, putting items back in place and handling materials gently. This practice supports responsibility and respect for their environment.

Setting up a Montessori environment with the right furniture can make a significant difference in your child’s learning experience. By focusing on accessible, child-friendly, and functional furniture, you create a space that encourages independence, exploration, and a love of learning. Whether you’re establishing a Montessori classroom or setting up a Montessori-inspired home, investing in the right furniture sets the foundation for an enriching, engaging learning environment. Reach out to Kidken Montessori for high quality Montessori Furniture.