October 24, 2005 10:52 AM
Kid-friendly home decor
One of the things I've enjoyed as a mother is considering my children when it comes to furnishing our house. I thought I'd share some examples of choices I've made to add more meaning and interest to their lives.
This is our dinnerware. It's breakable, not plastic, in keeping with the Montessori philosophy (which I've followed for 36 years through 12 children): if you want children to learn to be careful with things, you must give them things they need to be careful with. To teach your children to be careful, simply slow down and exaggerate the care with which you handle things. Show them how to add a plate to the top of a stack with as little sound as possible - the sound is feedback, so teach them to notice. I keep my dishes in the bottom cabinets so the kids are able to empty the dishwasher and put things away starting around 2 1/2. Then setting table at 4 or 5.
This is a loveseat in my office. Yes, I am blessed with my very own office because my hubby no longer needs one. One of the ways I manage to be so productive is that I've earned to write in snatches between Maddy's lessons and loads of laundry, learned to focus and let go quickly. The loveseat is supposed to attract my children to come in and sit and read or talk to me while I write. I originally had two in our family room, but have passed one onto Jasmine, so my grandchildren can enjoy it too.
This is a table with some interesting legs at kid-eye level. It would help us a lot if we could take a "walk" around our houses on our knees to see things the way our kids do. I like to think they've been intrigued and stimulated by they see way down there!
I found this great picture on sale at Marshall's or Ross or some other discount store - thought its simplicity and animal theme made it perfect to have at baby/toddler level - just when they are learning the names and sounds of animals. So while I'm cooking or cleaning up, I can be asking "Where is the dog? What does the dog say?" and teaching a child to engage with the picture, practice vocabulary, notice her surroundings.
I recommend a mirror at kid-level. Very entertaining, and can encourage them to take responsibility for combing their own hair, etc. For kids who need a little extra help with speech and pronunciation, this is where mom, dad, or older siblings can get down on their level and look in the mirror together to practice forming sounds. Ot to just be silly and make faces. You could put a mirror in a corner with a basket or kid-size coat rack of a few costume items, including hats, scarves, Daddy's tie, old necklaces (keep on the lookout at garage sales and thrift stores for these things). Your child will thrive from having special places to hang out and amuse himself. The more independent he can become in choosing his own activities, the better for all!
This is just another small mirror - this time a funny fish-eye type to capture someone's attention while I'm working at my computer.
I have a low table with computer right next to my desk for my kids to work on. This picture is just to show how I took two greeting cards with Dr. Seuss titles, framed them in inexpensive frames from Target and hung them where they would amuse my kids.
You can see why Ezzo never resonated with me. His program really seemed based on the idea that your children should cause as little disruption of your life as possible. My own feeling is that these are human beings with a different set of needs that should be taken into account and provided for. And God places that responsibility on us.
In Matthew 18:5, Jesus says "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." I know when I welcome adults I take their needs into consideration and try to make them feel comfortable and - well, welcomed. So I think it's just logical - and very much the Golden Rule in operation - to make our children feel welcome in their own homes.
Posted in Big families, Family, Montessori, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
Love these ideas, esp. the animals in the kitchen. So cute and easy to do. Whenever I see a Montessori book in the store or library, I always think of you, Barbara.
Posted by: Monika | October 24, 2005 2:52 PM
Lovin' it! (as usual lol) my husband and i have now talked in depth about different ways to "redecorate" our home to better incorporate it to be THIER home too!!
thanks so much for the wonderful ideas!!
Posted by: Kristy | October 27, 2005 7:57 AM
That second to last paragraph is beautiful! My sentiments exactly! Great ideas.
Posted by: Jenn | November 13, 2005 4:44 PM
This is so wonderful to see! Your plates are beautiful too! Do you know the name of them and if they are still made?
Posted by: Honey | October 14, 2006 7:57 PM
Hi Honey -
Those plates are by Sango and called Green Acres. They were produced 1996-7, which is when I bought two sets for our large family. The plates held up very well and I have about 16 left, but only nine small plates and half a dozen cups. Which is okay because the plates are what I still use every night for dinner. I love them so much! Alas, now they are only available through those places that overinflate the price on discontinued dinnerware - and they want 36.99 per plate. I would love to have enough to go around for our whole extended family at Thanksgiving, but could never spend that much. So I am thinking about just getting a set of plain green plates to fill in.
Posted by: barbara | October 15, 2006 3:10 PM
That's funny; Ezzo resonates with me a great deal-- but perhaps that's because of the stage of children I had when I encountered his writings (not already having older children as you did). In fact, I think it's his books (but I could be mistaken) that recommend keeping children-sized furniture and things to do around your house, even after your own children no longer are at that stage, so that children always feel welcome in your home.
Maybe not. Perhaps I'm confusing him with the Moores. Nonetheless, I like your ideas about putting some things at children's eye-level. I need to think more about this and implement some of it. Thanks!
Posted by: Jess @ Making Home | November 2, 2008 3:41 PM
