You read that correctly. It doesn't say toddler-proof bathroom. Kylie of How We Montessori made simple updates to her family's bathroom that makes it more user-friendly for her eighteen-month-old. Rather than keeping bathroom items out of his reach, she has created a few ways for him to access all of the toiletries he needs to get ready for his day.
Kylie strives to instill Montessori principles into her family's everyday, which she details on her blog (a great resource for parents interested in incorporating Montessori into their homes). Her bathroom reorganization is a perfectly easy example of setting up a room to allow children access without adult intervention, a Montessori must. Her son, Otis, has some age-appropriate independence in a room where many parents would rather monitor a toddler's every move.
A few toddler-sized bottles allow Otis to pour his own soap and bubble bath without emptying their entire supply. Some temporary caddies and a low-hung mirror create an area perfect for brushing his teeth and hair and washing his face. A simple stool at the sink gives him the ability to wash his hands on his own. The result is several aesthetically pleasing, practical, and child-centered zones that allow the whole family to share their bathroom space.
How have you made your toddlers' possessions more accessible to them? Or do you prefer to keep them out of reach?
• See more: How We Montessori
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I like this post. Nothing she is doing is particularly new or special -- though it is pretty, however, it is a lovely way to underscore the importance of instilling a sense of independence in kids. It would have been nice if there had been a little list of ways to make the bathroom safe as well as accessible in this little snapshot, but that's neither here nor there. Why not let an 18-month-old have access to the same things bigger people do? I do this in my powder room for my 17-month-old. Yes, she frequently unrolls all of the toilet paper, but that is OK as it is still toilet paper. We don't lock the toilet lid, but we do leave it down, and I have a large washable rug on the floor to absorb spills so we don't fall as much. Growing competence means a happier less harried parent and a more confident kid!
This is a really great idea and we strive to do this at our home. Whether it's the bathroom or the kitchen, there is a drawer and space just for them to access cups, toothbrushes, towels, snacks and the like. It gives them more independence and prevents them from building towers of chairs stacked with books to go reach for things b/c they know they have their own space.
That first pic makes me cringe, though. Basic safety note: If you use a chair as a step stool, the back of the chair should not be behind you. If you lose your balance and fall, the back of the chair keeps you from catching yourself by stepping down. The back of the chair should be in front of you.
I also try to make our home as child-friendly as possible. We have non-slip stools from Ikea in the bathrooms that the kids use. I keep the soap dispenser near the edge of the sink since they can't reach all the way back. Really, everything in our home is pretty much geared toward them, like hooks placed lower on the wall, along with artwork, etc. Anyway, for bathrooms I recommend the Ikea stepstools. They're white plastic with non-slip pads on the top and bottom.
We did the same for our little ones but I have to question... access to *snacks*? Really?
We did the same for our little ones but I have to question... access to *snacks*? Really?
We did the same for our little ones but I have to question... access to *snacks*? Really?
We don't consider ourselves Montessori, but we also keep things pretty kid-friendly in our house. The kids' bathroom doesn't have anything that's out of their reach and we used to have a low drawer in our kitchen so they could access their dishes. We all use our regular dishes now, so now that low drawer contains the kids' art supplies. They like to grab paper and crayons to create art at the dinner table while I cook.
And we allow our kids to access snacks (gasp!). There is a basket in our pantry that holds items that are appropriate for the kids to snack on, and they can also grab things from the fridge. They have to ask permission if it's close to dinner, but my 5 year old son regularly grabs himself a snack in the morning when he wakes up. And it's very rare that either kid (2 and 5 years old) takes an inappropriate amount of food because they've been taught what is an acceptable portion. Although, there was one time when our son ate 6 leftover breadsticks for breakfast.....but somehow he survived!
I'm wondering what 18-month-old is doing anything for himself/herself in the bathroom: my 18-month-old wouldn't "pour" soap, he'd wave it wildly in the air. And forget about washing anything, brushing anything...though I have worked to make things user-friendly for my 4-year-old (who, according to the dentist, is still supposed to have help with brushing his teeth for a couple more years).
I have a hand towel hanging on a cabinet knob, a lightweight stepstool he can move around to reach things, and I haven't left things sitting out on the counter that he shouldn't touch.
And yeah, that picture bugs me because I spent my entire childhood hearing my mother yell at us when we'd use a chair as a step stool "backwards" like that. :)
try to understand though, not everything works for every child... not every teaching methodology works for every student...
i have followed this blog for several months now (and backlogged to the early days) and understand that her kids haven't been 'thrown into' this situation (i.e. allowing them to use the bathroom on their own)... their kids have been modeled for and guided since they were much younger... it's a way of life for them...