Less is more

Implementing Montessori principles (or any principles) into everyday life is not that easy..
Life and mess :) gets in the way. Also, I believe, it takes practise. And experience.
Good thing is, there is no rush. We are all just growing and learning.

I posted here with great pride, when we got our "Montessori" shelves. The truth is though, just calling a shelf "Montessori" doesn't make it one.

Anyway, even though I had already put away half of the toys we have (just storing them under the bed), I still noticed, that our shelves are quite crowded. Even though I left the toys that she seemed to like, she still wasn't so interested in them. Apart from a couple of times, when she has come and emptied the shelves or taken some thing from there, usually she just plays with what she stumbles upon on the floor.

While searching for activities for a baby in my last post, maybe you noticed - one article from Pinterest suggested, that for 7-month-old there should be only as many as 4-5 items on the shelf. 

It's logical. Of course, she simply doesn't have attention for more. When there are too many toys (and I have noticed this already) - child just goes from one to next, and next, and so on - not really taking time and concentrating with any.

So.. I reorganized a bit.

Before:

(The blocks were usually not all over the place, but in the basket. :) Still, you get the point.)

After:

Ok, I didn't leave 4-5, more like 6 items in the shelves.
She can access two lowest ones, so the top shelf is not of a concern yet.
I left there: stacking pyramid, 3 stacking cups, a rattle, Oball, a small basket with 4 different (in shape and color) blocks and Sophie.
There are also her nice wooden blocks (which she doesn't really use yet) in her play area, also the small "activity triangle", which she actually likes, and I also put 3 of her books in a separate basket (we'll see, if this was a good idea, or will I need to put books somewhere higher for now - she seemed to attack them).
(And there is a tambourine and a wooden board under the shelf, not sure if I should remove those too..)

Let's see now - if this will influence anything! Maybe I will take even more away.

(For those, who have given us gifts and nice toys -  :) Don't worry, they are all stored nicely, and will be offered to Adelaide, when the time is right. In that way, she will appreciate them even more.)

Because, Montessori or not, the main thing is, and I believe in this strongly, less is more! Children simply cannot concentrate in too many things at once. The younger the child, the less of stuff at once he should have! And in any age - there should never be too many toys and stuff all over the place.
Also - aesthetics and nice organization is very important. Creating a pleasant environment.

Probably, the key is - that there would be only as many toys, as the child is actually using. And the things can be rotated (for now there will be these, but later I will exchange the ones she's not using, to new ones).

I don't have a particular opinion about older children yet - probably they can have a lot more toys, so there would be enough of material for a creative play. But for now, for a small child, one of the main tasks is - that her concentration and exploration skills would develop. And she wouldn't get lost in the plentiness and chaos.

Another way - I offered her a basket with 3 things in it. Then she can choose, which would she want. And throw the others away. :) Ideally - empty and fill the basket.