Button frames are individual dressing frames that Montessori-inspired parents and Montessori teachers use to teach their children and their students how to button and unbutton dresses.
In keeping with other tying frame activities like snapping and zipping, the Montessori button frame activity strengthens pupils’ pincer grip, refines motor skills, and, most importantly, creates independence.
I have noticed that children feel very proud when they learn to button, zip, and tie things independently. Hence, this button frame activity becomes one of their favorite practical life activities.
My approach to this activity is twofold: first, implementing it at school to guide and teach children in a structured environment, and second, incorporating it at home to reinforce learning and encourage independent practice.
Here I will present how I have done this activity at school (where there is a ready-made Montessori button frame available) and secondly at home (where there is a ready-made Montessori button frame unavailable)
Montessori Button Frame Activity Presentation:
First of all I would like to tell you how I implement this activity with my young students at school.
At school, we have a high-quality traditional Montessori button frame to teach young children to button and unbutton dresses. Moreover, the best part of this ready-made frame is that it focuses only on what I want to teach my young students, making it easier for them to learn.
At first, I place the button frame on the table. After that, I tell my students to watch carefully what I am going to do with it. Then I take the two sides apart, slowly and deliberately, and then reassemble it in the same way.
Next, I let one of my students count the buttons, feel the fabrics, etc. Then, I try to familiarize him or her with the names of the things involved and what they are used for.
I repeat the process until they learn all the necessary details.
At home, I teach this activity to my children with shirts.
I place a shirt on the table so my children can see it. Then I open it up and close it again. I do this because I want to make them see how it works. At first, I start at the bottom, slowly guiding the bottom button through the first hole.
Thereafter, I open up the buttonhole as wide as possible so that they can see that it needs to be open for the button to pass through. Finally, I finish the rest of the buttons and then undo them.
Next, I pass the shirt over for my children to try.
Button Frame Montessori Purpose:
To teach self-reliance, self-control, and coordination of movements.
Button Frame Montessori Control Of Error:
The child is capable of seeing if it has been improperly done.
Button Frame Montessori Other Details:
The Montessori button frame is wooden. It holds two pieces of fabric secured tightly. On one side of the fabric, there are a series of buttons, whereas on the other side, there are buttonholes. In the truest sense of the term, it mimics real-life clothing.
Finally, it provides a stable structure for children to practice buttoning and unbuttoning without the hazards of managing loose clothing.
Sumanta De is an educator. He has been teaching students for more than 16 years following the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. He has a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.
He is nurturing his children abiding by the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. His passion for Montessori methods goes beyond the classroom.
Hence, he shares his experiences and insights through a dedicated Montessori blog and a YouTube channel under the name “NewChild Montessori”. He aims to offer valuable guidance to both parents and educators.
Education: M.A. English, Masters in Child Psychology & Bachelor’s Degree in Montessori Teachers Training