First, you baby-proofed. Here’s how to toddlerize.

When you baby-proofed, you prepared the environment so your child could safely learn and explore. A version of this also exists for your toddler as they rapidly expand what they’re able to take on by themselves. Here’s how to set them up for success:

In this post:

Article: 5 small changes to your home that can make a big difference at age 2
Article: How to create a Montessori bedroom for your 2-year-old
Activity: Watering plants can teach new skills
Ask & Learn: How can I help my daughter feel comfortable playing independently?

5 small changes to your home that can make a big difference at age 2

When you’re a toddler, finding your shoes or getting a drink of water can be a lot harder than it sounds. Some simple switches to your home can help them with these tasks—and make your life easier in the long run.

Research shows enabling independence now may encourage cooperation and self-reliance in the future.

How to help your child do more on their own

1. Place a box or basket near the door just for their shoes

It can be challenging for a 2-year-old to locate their shoes when they’re mixed in with a bunch of other pairs. Having a designated box helps them find their shoes when it’s time to go out—and also makes clear where shoes should be put away.

2. Provide a step-stool they can carry

Brushing teeth, washing hands, and getting a drink of water likely all require your child to use a step-stool—and they happen in different locations. Being able to move a stool from one place to the next sets them up to eventually do important self-care tasks independently.

3. Keep child-safe dishes on a low, open shelf

While it will be some time before they’re preparing their own snacks, you can plant the seed by making their dishes more accessible. This helps them get involved with setting the table for dinner or putting their own dishes away as you unload the dishwasher.

4. Provide a low laundry basket

Help your child get in the habit of not leaving their clothes on the floor by giving them an accessible place to toss their dirty socks. Reaching up and putting clothes into a high hamper isn’t as effective because they can’t see where their clothes are going.

5. Help them reach—and clean up—their toys

Low shelves and open storage bins allow your child to easily find their playthings and put them away. The Montessori Playshelf was made with this in mind 😉

How to create a Montessori bedroom for your 2-year-old, by @howwemontessori

The Montessori floor bed, which is even used for infants, may be the first thing that comes to mind when you visualize a Montessori bedroom, but there’s a lot more to the idea than just the bed. How can you incorporate the Montessori philosophy into your toddler’s bedroom, and what are the benefits?

According to Susan Mayclin Stephensen in “The Joyful Child: Montessori Global Wisdom from Birth to Three,” “A beautiful, organized, and uncluttered environment can help in many ways: dressing and undressing is simplified; the favourite book and toy is always within reach; the child can participate in the life of the family and feels needed; challenging work that focuses the child’s attention and fulfills his needs is always available; a more fun, creative, and peaceful life comes into being for the whole family.”

Most children’s rooms could start with a good declutter. Changes can be made gradually. I’ve never seen a perfect Montessori room, so take what works for you.

Here’s how to create a Montessori-friendly sleeping area for your toddler:

Montessori bedroom set up with bed, stool, and basket of books — Look Inside The Play Kits

Consider a Montessori bed. A floor bed supports your child’s freedom of movement and developing autonomy because your child can get in and out independently. This can be as simple as a firm, flat mattress on the floor.

Wooden stool with picture frame and flashlight on it

Use a flashlight for a night light. You might think of a night light as something that stays on all the time, but darkness is better for good sleep. We currently have the Really Real Flashlight from The Realist Play Kit right next to our toddler’s bed, so he can use it if he needs to, but it stays off otherwise. It’s easy to use and not too bright.
Skip the top sheet. We use just a fitted sheet and a toddler sized-quilt on top. This makes it easier for your toddler to practice making their bed.

Set your child up to get dressed on their own:

Developing practical life skills is a core principle of Montessori. Creating opportunities for your toddler to get dressed on their own and care for themselves and their clothing can help build their confidence and independence.

Montessori bedroom with built in closet and table with colorful toys by Lovevery on top — Look Inside The Play Kits

Make clothing simple and accessible. We only put out 3 to 4 appropriate options at a time for our toddler to choose from. For independent dressing, we keep our toddler’s clothes loose and simple: easy pullover tops, pants with elastic waists, pull on shoes or shoes with velcro. We use a toddler-sized wardrobe, but baskets or low drawers can work well too. We use small toddler-sized hangers and a basket for underwear and socks. A low chair can assist a child when putting on pants or socks.
Hang a mirror at your child’s level. A mirror in the dressing area can help your child check and make sure their clothing is on the right way and they’re ready to go. An easy way to do this is to hang the Framed Mirror from The Charmer Play Kit on the wall at your child’s level with a simple command hook. You can also put a hairbrush or comb in a basket under the mirror.
Encourage good habits with a laundry basket. A laundry basket near the dressing area can make it easy for your child put away their dirty clothes at the end of the day.
Hang hooks at your child’s level Low hooks are easier for your child to use than hangers and work well for robes, backpacks, or hats.

Try these tips to arrange a toddler-friendly reading area:

Montessori bedroom corner with small couch and book holder

Create a comfortable reading spot. This may be a few cushions on the floor or a soft rug, blanket or a child sized chair.
Choose a low bookshelf. Most Montessori families choose a bookshelf for a young child with forward-facing books, this way the child can see the covers of the books.
Establish order. While I wouldn’t recommend limiting the books your child has access to, remember that your child prefers order. We use a low bookshelf in our toddler’s room for paperbacks and put board books in a basket next to his bed.
Have a stool next to the light switch. My toddler has a small stool next to the light switch so he can independently turn on the room light. Many families use a light switch extender.

Finish with personal touches that make your child’s bedroom their own:

Incorporate music We love to have a music box for bedtime, and we use a child operated music player. Both are safe to have in the child’s room and can be used independently by the child.
Display photographs and artwork Hang artwork and photographs at your child’s height so they can view them easily. The child is the focus, so choose artwork that’s meaningful to them.
Bring the outside in I love to bring as much nature into my children’s spaces as possible. This can be as simple as a small vase of flowers or a Montessori treasure basket full of something like pinecones, rocks, feathers, or shells.

Watering plants can teach new skills

Use the spray bottle from the Squeaky Clean Squeegee Set to water a plant and build fine motor skills at the same time. This simple Montessori-style activity can teach your toddler how to care for the plants in their environment. Your 2-year-old also develops hand strength, dexterity, and motor control when they repeatedly squeeze the lever on the bottle.

What parents are asking our experts…

“My daughter still doesn’t really play independently. She either wants me to play with her or tells me to hold her. We do play together regularly, and I don’t want to lose that time. But I’d love to help her feel comfortable exploring on her own. Any ideas?”

Answer:

Ask questions to extend your child’s attention. For example, if she’s playing with the Montessori Animal Match, you might say, “One more minute, then Mommy will play. I can see you. I wonder if you can find a dog and a cat?”

Mix old and new playthings to increase interest. To spend more time focused on an activity independently, a child often needs access to playthings that are familiar and playthings that pose a new challenge. Try setting out playthings from a current and former Play Kit. For example, you might provide the Every Which Weigh Scale & Pails along with buttons from the Mosaic Button Board and dots from the Drop & Match Dot Catcher. Invite your child to put dots and buttons in one or both pails to see how the scale moves.

Lean into holding her during play ❤️ Separation anxiety ebbs and flows throughout early childhood. If your daughter is going through a period of increased separation anxiety, you may find that regularly trying to put her down only increases her demand to be held. See what happens if you commit to regularly holding her while you play. Independence often grows from a sense of security and reliability. The less vigilant your daughter feels she needs to be about your presence and accessibility, the less focused on it she may become.

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