MELLOW.
A montessori approach to teaching kids how to build healthy habits and routines by learning the basics of action and reaction through a growing plant.
responsibility, routine, and safety
“routines help children feel safe, develop life skills and build healthy habits. routines help parents feel organized, reduce stress and find time for enjoyable activities. good routines are well planned, regular and predictable.” raising children, australia
“habits in children allow them to have security in the things they do” janabebe, spain
how does it work?
twist pot and plant rises
︎︎︎
add watering can and leaves shake
︎︎︎
change leaves and arrange based on preference
who
5 years + child that beginsawareness of living things
when
while watering the real plantswhere
at homewhy
simulates routine + responsibility
mood + material
mechanism research
crystal, mineral deodorant stick
︎︎︎ mechanism operates in incremental growth
︎︎︎ can be translated into
“mixing soil” in the faux plant
3D model for plate
FDM print / laser cut
troubleshooting
fdm print
+ clean
+ precise
- friction with resolution
- difficulty integrating magnets
vs.
laser cut
+ aesthetic friendly
+ easy magnet installment
- high margin of error
- laser cutting soot
laser cutting the plate is a more efficient form of building the model
mood board
process
features:
︎︎︎base pad has magnets so the placement can mimic ikebana floral arrangments︎︎︎leaves have magnets on base and steel wire sewn through
︎︎︎can be turned 90 degrees in each direction to elevate plate and then elevate leaves to mimic growth
twist and grow!
︎︎︎once the child builds the habit of twisting “mixing the soil” the guardian can add “watering the plant” with the added magnetic watering can that rustles the leaves.
