One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the chance to do things for themselves. In Montessori, we believe that independence doesn’t begin with big, dramatic milestones—it’s built quietly, moment by moment, through everyday routines.
One of the most empowering spaces to support this growth? The bathroom.
From washing hands and brushing teeth to combing hair and wiping noses, the bathroom is full of opportunities for your child to develop self-care skills, confidence, and a sense of responsibility for their own body. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can turn even a small bathroom into a child-friendly space that encourages independence and pride in caring for oneself.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create a simple, effective bathroom self-care station at home—Montessori-style.
A self-care station is a simply a collection of tools your child needs to take care of themself. Since the station is built to meet your child’s current needs, each family’s station will look different… what you decide to use may not look the same as the example I will show you, and that’s okay! As you design your child’s space, keep the following in mind:
The picture below comes from my personal bathroom (not that of the school). My three year old uses this set-up to prepare herself for the day, to get ready for bed, and to tidy up during the day. Let’s look at what I’ve included, section by section.
While there’s already a mirror in our bathroom, this smaller make-up mirror is portable and easy to position. The child can move it around to get the perfect angle. It also helps provide a close-up view of the face- which is very important for face washing!
In our routine, tooth brushing happens first (so all tooth brushing material is on the left). I’ve opted to keep the toothpaste in a child-locked drawer and bring it out when needed, but feel free to add it to your station if your child is older. I love the light timer function of the firefly toothbrush since it is subtle, but many families I’ve known also use a two minute sand timer to encourage proper brushing length.
After brushing teeth, face washing comes next. I use a simple white cloth that my daughter wets under the sink (there is a basket of these cloths on a shelf in the corner so she can get a clean one after placing the dirty on in the hamper). If you’re child can’t reach the sink, or if there is no sink, you can consider using a pitcher and basin instead. You can also add in a bar of mild soap if your child tends to get a very messy face.
Brushing hair is a huge interest for my daughter! I’ve included two different brush types for her to experiment with (a soft-bristled hair brush and a comb) plus a spray bottle to moisten her hair. Not on the tray but on a nearby shelf she also has a collection of hair ties and clips. A quick tip- put only a very small amount of water in the spray bottle to avoid a soaking-wet child.
I’ve purposefully placed these items away from the other items on the tray because they are more of an “any time” need (instead of part of a routine). The most important thing here is choosing items your child can easily reach and use. I like to use a hand towel on a free-standing towel rack (setting something over a straight bar is easier for a young child than threading it through one of those circular racks) because it can be easily placed within reach. An automatic hand soap dispenser is a good choice for young toddlers who may not have the hand strength to push down a manual pump, but I love the strength-building aspect of the traditional push-down pumps.
Being able to safely and comfortable access this space is incredibly important, so consider what additional items you may need to make this happen. We use a wooden step stool (you can also add grip tape to the steps). Other items that might be helpful are a faucet extended, a sink-handle extender, and a tray.
Want to make your child’s bathroom routine even more successful?
I’ve created a set of free, printable routine cards to help guide your child step-by-step through common self-care tasks—like washing hands, brushing teeth, and getting ready for the day.
These cards are designed with young children in mind:
✔️ Simple visuals for pre-readers
✔️ Easy-to-follow steps that match real-life actions
✔️ Gentle structure to build confidence and consistency
Routine cards give your child a sense of ownership over their daily tasks, reduce power struggles, and create a calm, predictable rhythm—especially helpful during transitions like morning or bedtime.
Remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about offering consistent, age-appropriate opportunities for your child to do for themselves—and celebrating those small steps along the way.
(You might want to laminate them or hang them at child height near the sink or mirror!)
Just fill out the form! You’ll receive instant access to the cards, along with thoughtful emails from The Montessori Studio with tips and tools to support your child’s independence. Unsubscribe anytime.
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