In a traditional Montessori classroom, children have the opportunity to engage in purposeful work in a kitchen setting, and because our toddler (3yo) is in the current stage of development where a high sense predictability and orderliness is crucial, I wanted to prepare a space at home where he could have the ability to hand wash, get water, prepare food, and clean up “all by myself, just like at school”, as he likes to say.
These types of practical life activities allow him to further develop a deep sense of independence, motor control and coordination, concentration, and a sense of responsibility in the home.
For a moment, imagine being a three, six, or even ten-year-old who relies solely on someone else to provide them the basic resources they need to survive. If there is even a brief period of time that they cannot find their adult, it can be immensely overwhelming and discouraging for them.
Now, imagine an adult relying on someone else to meet their basic needs. Daunting, isn’t it? When we teach our children to do these things on their own, it allows them to develop a sense of security and empowerment in themselves that follows them throughout their entire lives, while also avoiding longer term effects (such as a unhealthy relationship with co-dependency).
To best serve Caspian, we have several areas around the home that are his height; areas where he can complete everyday tasks on his own, including, using the toilet, scrubbing his hands, getting something to drink, eating a snack, brushing his teeth, and washing his laundry. His most used space has been this kitchen. (Some of the spaces are not used at all, but we have them there once he is ready.) He navigates the kitchen with relative ease, and spends time there before and after each meal, prepping, cutting, washing, pouring, getting something to drink, taking his vitamins, sweeping, or mopping. So, I wanted to share this space with you all.
The kitchen was originally an Ikea play kitchen, but I made some changes while building it so that it was not only functional, but not mistaken for a place to do pretend play. Though, if pretend play is what best served him in this season of life, I’d have no problem leaving it as is. But, like I said earlier, he wants a space where he can do his hand-washing and prepping “all by himself”. So, I forewent the pretend stovetop, the microwave, false faucet, and the oven.
In place of the pretend stovetop is now a cutting board. I chose a wooden one over a plastic one because it is traditional to have natural materials when available. Here is where you can find Caspian cutting up his snacks— usually a banana or avocado. He does have one dull knife, and three nylon knives. I was pretty hesitant to put real knives in his kitchen, even though it is also traditional in Montessori to use the “real deal” for materials such as knives and glass — even at age three because it is important for children to learn the natural consequences of things. This area is also where he will do a lot of his scooping and stirring with his utensils. If I prepare something such as overnight oats for breakfast, he will use this space to scoop them out of a large bowl or mason jar into his bowl.
Next to the cutting board is the sink. Here we removed the false faucet and replaced it with a large mason jar with a dispenser. This acts as a real faucet and allows him the freedom to wash his hands and his dishes. Though, we have not yet taught him how to wash his own dishes yet, and instead, we have a bin for him to place his dishes to later load in dishwasher. There is one small hiccup that we have run into with the sink: he (naturally) wants play in the water while its running and while he is engaged with that, he will sometimes let the sink overflow. Given that, our next step is to drill a small hole in the sink, reorganize, and replace the shelves directly underneath with a bucket. That way, if he should let the water go for too long, it will drain and not overflow.
The microwave was completely removed and is now a shelf solely for his drinking cups. Above that, you can find a plant, his vitamins, and mini measuring/ beaker set (he currently love pouring). He also does have two large pitchers, but they are put away until we create a space where he can pour and spill more freely. The vitamins are at his level so he can create the habit of remembering to take them, but they do have a childproof lock, so he does still have to bring them to us when its time to take them.
His cupboards have towels velcroed to the handles. While we do want him to develop the motor skills to hang the towels himself, these are more suited to his needs right now. In the cupboards are his dishes and silverware. He has several bowls, snack bowls, plates, and silverware. His silverware is organized to the right and as you can see, and there is still plenty of space in the case we need to expand or reorganize.
On the side of his kitchen, you will find a small dust pan and hand broom. He does also have a broom/ mop/ duster set that is his size, but we are working on his coordination with the handheld one first. Here is where you can also find his compost bin.
Next to the Ikea kitchen is a small shelf, which was initially meant to be a microwave-oven storage shelf, but it has a natural wood color and is the same height as the Ikea kitchen, so we use it as a space for Caspian’s hand towels and his container for drinking water. The towels are there for him to wipe up any spills that he may have, or wipe his face and hands. There is a mirror attached to the wall behind the shelf, so that he can watch himself and get any spots on his face or body that he may have missed.
Below his water and towels is a white bin, and that is where his dishes are placed. Twice a week we have helpful (age appropriate) contributions that the children are to do (aka chores). One of Caspian’s contributions is emptying that bin and loading them in the dish washer.
Overall, we are very pleased with Caspian’s kitchen and will continue to make adjustments as he grows and learns. Its important to us that he has a space that best serves him and his development, while simultaneously challenging him to learn new skillsets that will serve him throughout this lifetime.
