Having a plan at hand, especially during uncertain times, can only benefit busy and overwhelmed parents. Sometimes parents can be going through a period of transitioning when they work on establishing a new homeschooling routine.
The Montessori method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is based on the belief that children go through different stages of development known as the “Planes of Development.” These stages are crucial in shaping a child’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth.
Understanding the Characteristics of Plains of Development for Preschool-aged Children According to the Montessori Method
The First Plane of Development (0-6 years)
The first plane of development encompasses the period from birth to age six. Preschool-aged children fall within this stage, which is characterized by rapid growth and development. During this time, children are absorbing the world around them like sponges and are eager to explore and learn through their senses.

In the Montessori classroom, children are provided with a prepared environment that encourages independence, order, and exploration. Everything in the classroom is carefully curated to meet the needs and interests of preschoolers, from colorful sensorial materials to language-rich activities. Teachers act as guides, fostering a sense of respect and autonomy in the children.

Order and Routine: Preschoolers thrive on consistency and structure. Providing a predictable daily routine helps children feel secure and confident in their environment.
Independence: Montessori classrooms empower children to do things for themselves, such as pouring their own snack or choosing their own work. This fosters a sense of responsibility and self-reliance.
Exploration: Preschool-aged children are naturally curious and eager to explore. Montessori classrooms are filled with hands-on materials that encourage children to discover and learn at their own pace.
Language Development: Language-rich environments are crucial during the preschool years. Montessori classrooms provide opportunities for children to expand their vocabulary, communicate with peers, and express themselves creatively.
Social Development: Preschoolers learn important social skills in the Montessori classroom, such as cooperation, sharing, and conflict resolution. Working together on projects and respecting each other’s work are emphasized.

A typical routine for a preschool child learning at home following the Montessori method may look like this:
- Morning work period: Start the day with a period of focused, independent work time where the child chooses activities from a prepared environment. The child may work on practical life skills, sensorial activities, language materials, math materials, or cultural materials.
- Outdoor exploration: Allow the child time to explore and engage with the natural world outside, encouraging a connection with nature and sensory experiences.
- Snack time: Provide a healthy snack and encourage the child to practice independence by preparing their own snack or setting the table.
- Circle time: Engage in a group activity such as a short lesson on a new concept, a discussion about a specific topic, or singing songs together.
- Individualized lessons: Offer one-on-one lessons tailored to the child’s current interests, needs, and abilities. This may include introducing new materials, guiding the child through challenging tasks, or providing extensions for activities the child has already mastered.
- Practical life activities: Encourage the child to engage in practical life activities such as pouring, spooning, sweeping, or washing dishes to develop fine motor skills and independence.
- Creative expression: Provide opportunities for the child to engage in art activities, music, or movement to foster creativity and self-expression.
- Outdoor play: Allow for unstructured playtime outside to promote gross motor skills, social interaction, and exploration.
- Quiet time: End the day with a period of quiet time for the child to rest, read a book, or engage in a calm activity before transitioning to bedtime.
This routine is designed to support the child’s natural curiosity, independence, and love of learning, while also providing a structured environment that fosters their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. The key principles of the Montessori method, such as respect for the child, prepared environment, freedom within limits, and individualized education, are integrated into each aspect of the child’s daily routine.
here is a sample timetable routine for a preschool child learning at home:
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Morning Routine
- Wake up and have a healthy breakfast
- Get dressed independently
- Engage in a short mindfulness activity or exercise
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Circle Time
- Sing a greeting song
- Discuss the plan for the day
- Read a short story or have a group discussion
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Practical Life Activities
- Engage in practical life activities such as pouring, spooning, or dressing frames
- Practice developing fine motor skills through threading or cutting activities
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Snack Time
- Have a healthy snack
- Practice good table manners and self-help skills
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Montessori Work Cycle
- Rotate between different Montessori materials and activities, such as sensorial materials, math activities, language activities, and cultural activities
- Work independently or with guidance from the caregiver
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Outdoor Play
- Spend time outside exploring nature, playing in the backyard, or going for a short walk
- Encourage physical activity and exploration
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch Time
- Have a nutritious lunch
- Practice setting the table and cleaning up after the meal
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Nap or Quiet Time
- Rest and recharge with a nap or quiet activities like reading or coloring
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Art and Music Activities
- Engage in creative art projects such as painting, drawing, or crafting
- Play musical instruments or sing songs together
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Snack Time
- Have another healthy snack
- Discuss the day’s activities and what was learned
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Free Play
- Engage in open-ended play with toys, games, or sensory bins
- Encourage imagination and creativity
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Clean-up and Reflection
- Tidy up the learning space and put materials away
- Reflect on the day’s activities and discuss accomplishments
This timetable routine provides a structured and balanced approach to learning at home based on the Montessori method, incorporating practical life activities, academic pursuits, outdoor exploration, creative expression, and personal reflection.

free preschool activity planner
There could be some weeks when all the responsibilities feel like they are too much to handle. Hence it might become harder to come up with easy-to-implement activities to stay on top of the child’s learning.
I thought of something that I hope could ease the load and designed a one-week planner with activities that can be implemented with children aged 2 to 5.
Preschool hands-on learning is a great way to teach young children important skills while keeping them engaged and entertained. By providing hands-on experiences, children can develop their motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Some great examples of hands-on learning activities for preschoolers include building with blocks, creating art with different materials, and exploring sensory bins filled with different textures and materials. These activities not only help children develop important skills but also provide a fun and exciting way for them to learn and grow.

As a parent, I’ve decided to start homeschooling my preschool-aged child. I want to make sure they get a solid foundation in their education, and I believe that homeschooling is the best way to ensure that. I’ve been doing a lot of research on different curriculums and activities to incorporate into our daily routine. It’s been a bit of a challenge, but it’s also been very rewarding. I love seeing my child excited to learn and explore new things. It’s a lot of work, but I know it will be worth it in the end.

As a parent or caretaker, it’s important to know what skills your preschooler should be developing. Some important skills for preschool include basic literacy and numeracy, social and emotional development, and physical coordination. Encouraging your child to read, count, and write will help them prepare for future academic success.

Additionally, fostering positive relationships with peers and adults, managing emotions, and problem-solving are crucial for their social and emotional development. Finally, activities that promote physical coordination such as running, jumping, and climbing will help your child build strong gross motor skills. By prioritizing these skills, you can set your preschooler up for a successful future.
I outlined preschool activities for each day of the week. I thought of hands-on explorations that are easy to set up and organize.
These activities require minimum preparation effort and generally can be done with items many households already have easily accessible, like LEGO, books, baking soda, food coloring and vinegar.
I know what you might be thinking, “I will do those activities for one week, and then what?”
Well, I also organized and linked Pinterest boards that contain Montessori-inspired, fun, educational, and practical ideas for all the subjects.
Plus I included a blank PowerPoint editable weekly planner to keep you going.
This way you can draw your inspiration from there, besides, it is probably unrealistic to expect to complete all activities in the planner in one day. You can stretch and swap them as you please ticking boxes as you go.
The following subjects are included in this one-week planner: Grace and courtesy, Gross motor, Fine motor, Language, Math, Science, and Practical life.
If you get stuck, you can click on the subject link in the planner and look up ideas for all the amazing educational explorations you can easily set up for the children.
At this age, children will enjoy the freedom of exploring in the most relaxed setting and playful atmosphere. It is important to engage their senses using items they are already familiar with and allow them to follow their interests.
This planner is a rough guide. Do not feel pressured to complete all activities for the day. Each activity does not need to be longer than 15-20 minutes.

Aim for short and sweet. It is about the experience. Children may decide to work longer on one activity and completely ditch the other. It is about following the child.
Use the PowerPoint option to design your own program. You can add or remove table columns and rows as it suits you.
Preschool years should be all about learning to take care of self, the environment, and other people in it, learning to be independent, and developing the ability to concentrate. It is about following the child and allowing the freedom to explore on their own terms.

To help create a seamless workflow in the classroom, I designed a preschool activity planner. It is a tool created to help educators and parents plan and organize activities for their preschoolers. With this planner, parents and educators can access a variety of age-appropriate activities and games to keep their children engaged and learning. The planner includes a wide range of activities that cover essential skills such as literacy, numeracy, social and emotional development, and cognitive development. It is designed to be flexible and can be customized to meet the needs and interests of individual children. With the membership preschool activity planner, educators and parents will have access to a wealth of resources that will help their child thrive in the early years. Learn more
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