You may have heard the term “Montessori”, either from a nearby school or an Instagram post, but what does it really mean and how can you apply it to your lives?
What is Montessori?
“Montessori” is an educational method founded by Maria Montessori beginning in 1897. According to Wikipedia, the Montessori education method:
“views the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It attempts to develop children physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively.”
In short – your child is thirsty to learn about themselves and their environment, and Montessori teaches ways to make it easy. That is why you may hear an emphasis on how to set up a room “Montessori” – making things easily accessible, keeping it simple, integrating nature – these are all ways Montessori uses setting to encourage learning and exploration.
Maria Montessori relied heavily on direct observation and scientific methodologies to develop her education philosophy. Through these observations, she identified several core human tendencies and devised methods for encouraging them through each stage of development. Again from Wikipedia, these tendencies include:
- Abstraction
- Activity
- Communication
- Exactness
- Exploration
- Manipulation (of the environment)
- Order
- Orientation
- Repetition
- Self-Perfection
- Work (also described as “purposeful activity”)
By each age, or phase of development, Montessori encourages ways to take advantage of these natural tendencies and help children learn and become more independent.
These principles and more have become the backbone to Montessori-style schools throughout the world. Teachers are trained in ways to use these philosophies and apply tailored education to each individual child via close observation.
How can we, as parents, use this approach in our own homes?
How can parents use it in their own home?
Whether you stay at home, or are working parents, there are several ways you can incorporate the principles of Montessori education into your lives. If you want to get started being a Montessori parent, here are 4 quick steps.
- Look at your home from their eyes.
Can they access most of the things they need to be independent? Ask yourself how you can rearrange areas of your house to give your little person the space to get the things they use everyday. For example: -
- Coats and shoes
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- Clothes
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- Toys
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- Food/Snacks
- Make the most of what you already have.
You do not have to run out and buy all new toys and furniture, Montessori encourages learning through interaction with everyday objects and emphasizing each toy by presenting it in a way that gives it space to be looked at and appreciated. -
- Using shelves to display toys
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- Grouping like things together, like building toys or animals
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- Giving access to harmless household items, like tupperware
- Observe your child closely and give them space to learn on their own.
Montessori’s famous quote is “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can achieve.” Encourage independence through loving guidance. -
- Slow down and have patience. For example, give yourself more time to get ready knowing they will struggle a bit putting on their own coat.
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- Take note of what they are interested in. For example, if they are climbing on the couch – direct them to an area where they can explore movement in a safe way.
- Observe yourself!
Be a role model in all areas, don’t rely on ‘do as I say not as I do.’ -
- Always use your manners
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- Listen to others and don’t interrupt
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- Speak respectfully to everyone, including your child
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- Use big words and encourage a complex vocabulary