Why are shelves commonly used in Montessori environments? For a few reasons! ✨ 👉 To promote autonomy A low shelf brings your child’s toys to their level, which invites freedom of choice. Instead of depending on you to bring their toys out, your little one can select their own activities. This helps them internalize that their ideas are valued and that they are capable of leading their own discoveries. 👉 To maintain order More than just accessible, a Montessori space is uncluttered and orderly to prevent your child from becoming overstimulated and support the development of their concentration skills. A shelf helps to define order by offering a predictable spot where each activity can go. If the room or shelf grows cluttered, your child may appear bored or frustrated with their surroundings. 👉 To encourage purposeful play By intentionally preparing, maintaining, and rotating the shelf’s presentation of toys and activities, you can spark your little one’s interest in purposeful play. So, rather than just a storage solution, the shelf is an anchor point in an environment where the activities offered grow with your child. A note on rotating playthings: Instead of creating a calendar-based deadline for rotations, like weekly, notice your child’s level of interest in the toys on display and rotate based on it. If given the opportunity, your child may enjoy repeating the same activity for several weeks or more as they work to master certain skills. Swap just one or two playthings at a time to allow your child to continue engaging in activities they’re still interested in. Designed with this in mind, the Lovevery Montessori Playshelf offers short-term storage with a handy rear compartment for quick and easy swaps. Thank you to @ourmontessorijoy for the wonderful shelf rotation tips highlighted in the video! 🤩 Head to the link in our bio to shop The Montessori Shelf. #ShelfRotation #PlayShelf #Montessori #MontessoriPlayshelf #LearnThroughPlay #Montessori #Shelfie