How The Montessori Opening And Closing Drawers Activity Teaches Children A Sense Of Achievement

There is a vast array of Montessori practical life activities to teach toddlers and preschoolers different skills. These activities are simple, amusing, and easy to execute.  For example,  opening and closing drawers.

Apart from Montessori-inspired parents and educators,  who would think that ‘opening and closing of drawers’ could be introduced to children as a learning activity?

This activity is suitable for children of 2.-4 years of age.

When my children were preschoolers, I introduced this activity to them without prior preparation. In addition, I was able to teach them its purpose and how to control errors.

Montessori Opening And Closing Drawers:

I have already clarified that Montessori opening and closing drawers do not require any prior preparation. One can simply use his/her present wit to introduce this beautiful activity to their children.

Materials Needed:

Available chest drawer in your house.

Demonstration:

One day as my children were strolling across the house, I found the opportunity to ask them close to a chest drawer of our house. They obeyed.

Then, I placed my two fingers and thumb on each knob of the drawer. After that, I opened and closed one drawer noiselessly and carefully.

Then, I proceeded in this way with the remaining drawers. My children watched the entire procedure peacefully. Finally, I asked them to do the same one by one.

Opening And Closing Drawers Purpose:

The purpose of this activity is to teach children a sense of achievement as they open and close the drawers quietly.

Opening And Closing Drawers Control Of Error:

While opening or closing the drawers, children become aware of the fact that drawers should not make any noise.

Opening And Closing Drawers Ideas:

Here I list some opening and closing drawers Montessori ideas:

1. Small Wooden Drawers –Encourage your toddlers or preschoolers to open and close small wooden drawers of your house where you have kept familiar and unfamiliar objects.
2. Sorting Objects – ask your children to sort out different objects from their familiar drawers.
3. Color Matching – you can apply different colors in different drawers and can ask your children to match them.
4. Treasure Hunt – you can surprise your children by hiding special items in their favorite drawers.
5. Practical Life Activity – you can ask them to store their favorite kitchen tools in their respective drawers.
6. Texture Exploration –  you can store different fabrics in the drawers.
7. Sound Recognition – to spark curiosity in your children you can place some objects in the drawers that make sounds.
8. Numbered Drawers – To make the opening and closing drawer activity you can label each drawer with numbers and can ask your children to match them.

You can also try the:

1. Alphabet Drawers
2. Themed Drawers
3. Size Sorting Drawers.
4. Hidden Objects Game
5. Velcro or Magnet Drawers
6. Sensory Smell Drawers
7. Dressing Practice Drawers
8. Pattern Matching
9. Shape Sorting Drawers
10. Mystery Drawer
11. Emotions Drawers
12. Storytelling Drawers

Sumanta De

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