so far...

I snapped a few photos so that you could take a peek inside the  latest re-arranging I've done in our little home. 

We'll be schooling Beatrix at home for the upcoming year. We plan to have a few other children join us. The more the merrier, we say!  

We live in an average size house, so it's been a fun challenge making sure that her learning environment isn't overdone, or overly consuming to our living space. I am constantly reminding myself that simplicity always reigns. With that in mind, I like to think that this environment offers a taste of a more traditional Montessori setting. A taste of the world.  Just enough, I think, for a three year old. 

By next month, we hope to have the construction of a screen porch underway. Once it is built, the environment will change again. The screen porch will become the main learning space with room for art projects, science experiments, and lots of practical life activities such as washing and baking preparations. I envision a sweet balance between the comforts of a home and the peace afforded by fresh air and sunlight. I even dream of woodstove on the porch for the (slightly) chillier months. 

This is the view that one sees when they enter our home. To the right of this point is our living area. To the left is our kitchen.

This shelf holds language and practical life materials. The box on the floor to the right of the shelf contains dressing frames. 

And here is where we keep puzzle maps (tucked in the cabinet on the left), math, and sensorial materials. 

This shelf contains art materials and more practical life activities. It's hard to see the details but there's collage work, watercolors, playdough, beeswax crayons, pencils, and a sewing basket.  

 Our nature and science nook....

I hope you have enjoyed the glimpse into what our  learning space looks like right now. Though, it is an ever evolving place. Interests peak and wane and with limited room, materials will sure to be rotated as necessary. No matter the size of our homes (and Bea has had three in her short life already), I feel nothing speaks to the idea of 'hominess' more than when children can find their place within it. That in some way, they are a part of it. A place for them is carved out. A path has been created for the child to assert her independenc and her desire to contribute.

In our case, it is working out smashingly well so far. A typical day begins with Beatrix rolling out of bed, Byron and I following along behind. We get the coffee going. First things first, after all. And she goes to town, so to speak. Working. Arranging flowers, counting, slicing an egg, squeezing her own orange juice. From one activity to another. Humming along. Engaged and peaceful. And during these times, there is an overwhelming joy that fills me up for the wonderful opportunity of being her mama and watching her grow. 

Setting up the learning spaces are always fun. Though, what is almost as rewarding is discovering creative solutions to store away the materials that you don't see on the shelves.  Afterall, everything must  be easily accessible or else updating the materials on the shelf becomes a daunting task which doesn't happen as often as it should. 

Next up, closets! Nah, not sure I'm ready to reveal that much! 

 

 

Comments

[Julia]

gorgeous. i would love to spend the day here! my favorite is the nature nook.

[Michelle]

I love the way you've set it all up! And the screened porch sounds lovely!

[Stephinie]

this is most definitely your calling :) it looks beautiful!

[Megan]

Just beautiful! I sent you an email with some questions as I realized the length of my comment was getting out of hand. :) Thank you for sharing!

[Nichole]

Oh, Megan. I just read your email. Thank you so much for taking the time to email. Really good questions! I can't wait to sit down and answer them. I can talk all day about homeschooling stuff!! :)

[Megan]

Phew, so glad you weren't thinking, "Who is this crazy person asking me a million questions?!" :)

[Rach]

This beautiful. And something I would love to do (although no experience and qualifications). Please continue to share. Lucky lucky Bea!

[Nichole]

I love the nature nook too!! Thanks for visiting Julia!

[Nichole]

Thank you Michelle! Yes, I think the screen porch will get lots of love from all of us!

[Nichole]

Stephinie, you make me chuckle. I hope you are well. The south feels less than without you and your family here. :)

[Nichole]

Thank you Rach for the encouragement! For some reason, posting about my home (and the details of it) always makes me nervous and definitely requires some courage gathering on my part.

[Catherine]

What a beautiful place to work! I love your painted bookshelves - the perfect color... And I've been dreaming about a screened porch these past few weeks. I can't wait to to hear about yours. Thank you for sharing!

(And your first photo... we have a little glass milk vase with the identical garden zinnias on our countertop right now... so sweet).

[amanda (sweetpotatoclaire)]

oh, I LOVE it!!! Makes me reminiscent of my Montessori days pre-Claire. What's the box below your metal inset tray (to the right of the baskets) on the language shelf? It looks interesting and I haven't seen it before. Also curious about your ladybug on the wall......

Claire loves her little red letter book, and I got the blue number book for her as well but it's a bit too funky for me. Seems like half the time the stuff they highlighted blue doesn't correspond with the text. Not really, anyway.

Anywho- awesome little setup! Claire will be at the Montessori school very part time this fall (2 mornings a week while I help out in the office) but I'd love to have a dedicated 'school' area set up for her at home, and wonder how we'll approach education with her in the next few years....

[ladycordelia]

I'm so very impressed!!! Looks beautiful! I would love to be a child in that space! I love all the light too. I'm a little envious of that actually.

[Christine]

I'm so glad I found this blog! I'm intrigued by the idea of home schooling and started doing research on the Montessori principles when I realized my son could play all da with cardboard tubes or a box of hats v. his expensive toys. I'm not sure whether we'll be able to make it work, but thank you so much for helping me visualize it!

[Nichole]

Thank you!! I bet Claire is going to love "school"! Ah...already. Time flies! The box is letter/picture matching puzzle cards. They are wooden and they come from Michael Olaf.

[Nichole]

Thank you Cory! Means a lot coming from you!! :)

[Nichole]

Thank you Catherine. It's my favorite place to be for sure!! I'll keep you posted on the screen porch progress!