Learning at home: Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, developed her method for education children, over her fifty year career, through intense scientific observation of children from a range of ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. It is rooted in a deep understanding of children through observation and reflection.
The Montessori Method, fosters independence, and aims to inspire a love of learning through following children on their natural development trajectory. It is a rigorous approach to learning that focuses on child’s self-motivation for learning through following their lead, creating inviting work spaces and working with children as they discover learning within a structured environment.
So why are you hearing about Montessori? It is coming increasingly popular with parents … probably not just because Prince George was sent to a Montessori nursery in the UK, nor the other famous graduates of a Montessori education (Jeff Bezos, Julia Child, and Beyoncé Knowles), but more as parents begin to question the limitations of tradition education. But how does this transcribe into the home?
Key principles for the Montessori Home
There is a wealth of information on Montessori in the home, and the key to navigating this, isn’t about having the ‘right’ materials or learning activities but rather to adhere to the key principles when implementing Montessori.
Freedom. Children should have the freedom to choose their activities and to move freely around their space.
Independence. Children are capable, they can complete more than we sometimes give them credit for. Building independence is about providing space and time for them to complete tasks on their own. As parents it isn’t our job to rescue them, to complete everything for our children.
Access. Setting up the space to allow children to access activities and space to learn on their own. Montessori views children as capable as they are separate from use and should be given the space to identify their own needs and meet them.
Own pace. Children all grow, develop at their own pace. They stay in their own lane. Montessori recognised children’s own development timetables and all classrooms are multi-aged to allow for this freedom to go at their own pace. This isn’t a race and we don’t need to rush our children through any millstones.
Space. A Montessori space is well organised as it supports the Sensitive Period for Order. This creates a value for belongings, creates a sense of pride for what they have. Encourage children to work on one task at a time, pack up at key intervals, repair broken items. This will cultivate a sense of gratitude and respect for the environment.
Parenting in the Montessori Home
Montessori is an educational approach and aimed at the classroom environment, but as parents there are some simple ideas that we can implement as parents and consider within our parenting style.
Respect. The Montessori approach respects the child as an equal, so in talking to your child speak as you would an adult … would you ask an adult to “use your words”? If you wouldn’t say it to another adult, don’t say it to your child.
Follow your child. Observe your child, what do they enjoy? What are they gravitating towards? Then build on this, if your child isn’t interested in cars, don’t get them out. But if you child is exploring art, how can you set up a space to create?
Daily life. I love this, its simple, its easy and it has so many benefits. Invite and include your child in your daily work, cleaning, washing, shopping are all amazing opportunities to learn and require no set up!
Sit on your hands. Observe, observe and observe some more. In Montessori, you are the guide, not the director or their servant. Sit back, drink that coffee and watch. This isn’t about judging your child, but noticing the person they are, what they enjoy and what challenges they are seeking.
The Prepared Adult. Fill our own bucket, dig deep into our triggers, heal ourselves so we can be fully present for our children. The prepared adult includes, observing, modelling, adapting. But being prepared is so much more than just completing set tasks, it isn’t easy work, but so important and when we are prepared we are able to work so much more deeply with our children. Want more on this topic? Check out my friend Crystal from The Gentle Counsellor.
Want more information?
Books
The Montessori Toddler, by Simone Davies
This was my starting place, easy to read, easy to digest and implement straight away.
Montessori from the Start, by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen
Have a new baby on the way and want to start from birth? This is the go to book! There is a mix of theory, practice and a range of examples as well.The Absorbent Mind, by Dr Maria Montessori
If you would like to tackle one of Dr Montessori’s own books,The Absorbent Mind is a good place to start. I enjoy reading her books, but they are not light-reading!
Blogs
Here are the blogs I still read that are accessible, easy to follow and authentic to the Montessori approach:
Social Media
This is my favourite place to find inspiration, and how people adapt the Montessori philosophy within the home environment. This doesn’t mean things need to be picture perfect for you to implement Montessori at home.
