Helping families create a solid connection between Montessori learning in the classroom and at home.
Setting up Montessori shelves at home is a wonderful way to create a learning environment that promotes independence and curiosity. Montessori shelves are designed to be accessible to children, allowing them to choose activities and materials that interest them. With these DIY guide, you’ll learn how to use simple resources to create organised, inviting shelves that encourage hands-on exploration. Whether you’re new to Montessori or looking to enhance your child’s learning space, these shelves are a great starting point for supporting self-directed growth at home.
One of the key principles in the Montessori method is freedom of movement and choice. By offering carefully selected materials on open, orderly shelves, families can support this principle at home. Each item on the shelf should have a clear purpose and be neatly presented, encouraging children to engage thoughtfully with each activity and return items when finished.
The shelves themselves don’t need to be expensive or complicated. Many families repurpose low bookshelves or cube storage units and adjust the height and layout to suit their child’s age and stage of development. Keeping materials visible and within reach allows children to make choices independently and encourages a sense of ownership over their learning space.
When setting up your shelves, consider the rotation of activities. You don’t need to display every toy or material at once. Rotating a small selection of engaging resources every couple of weeks helps maintain interest and supports deeper engagement. It’s also a helpful way to observe your child’s changing interests and developmental needs.
To further align with Montessori principles, keep the environment calm, clutter-free, and beautiful. Use natural materials where possible, and aim to include items that are purposeful and reflect real-life activities. Practical life tools, puzzles, language cards, and hands-on materials are all excellent choices.
Infant Shelves
Learn how to create a simple Montessori shelf for infants with the resources and items from around your home.
At this stage, focus on sensory-rich items that support grasping, visual tracking, and cause-and-effect exploration. Soft cloth baskets and low trays can help define each item’s space. You might include wooden rattles, fabric squares, simple object permanence boxes, or black-and-white cards to support visual development. Keep just a few items available at a time and observe what your infant is most drawn to. This not only helps maintain a calm space but also encourages sustained engagement.
Toddler Shelves
Learn how to create a simple Montessori shelf for toddlers with the resources from our website and items from around your home.
Toddlers thrive in environments that support movement, choice, and order. Include a small number of practical life materials such as pouring jugs, opening and closing containers, or cloth folding. You can also introduce matching games, simple puzzles, stacking toys, and wooden shape sorters. Each item should be presented on a tray or in a basket to promote tidiness and routine. Toddlers are learning how to care for their space, so provide opportunities for them to return items independently and take pride in maintaining their environment.
Preschool Shelves
Learn how to create a simple Montessori shelf for preschool aged children with the resources from our website and items from around your home.
At this age, children benefit from more complex activities that support early literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. You might include letter tracing cards, sandpaper numbers, counting beads, simple science activities, or categorisation tasks such as sorting objects by size or colour. Display materials in a logical left-to-right order to support pre-reading habits. It’s also helpful to rotate in materials that support seasonal themes or the child’s current interests, helping to deepen focus and curiosity. Encouraging independence in choosing and completing activities builds confidence and readiness for formal schooling.