Did you ever hear the word Montessori when you were a child? I remember seeing it on a sign and asking my mom what it meant. She said it was a fancy preschool. Did she add the word weird? Perhaps.
Flash forward 25 years. Wikipedia defines Montessori as a child-centered educational approach developed by Maria Montessori and based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Weird or not, this approach has become a key influence in the way I raise my children.
Montessori can have a place in your home, no matter what type of school your children attend. Let’s talk details.
- Child-centered means we allow the child’s interests to determine what activities we do, but within set limits.
- Maria Montessori recognized several “sensitive periods” throughout childhood that help us predict what they might be drawn to at certain ages.
- A prepared environment is key – it gives the child the freedom to discover the appropriate things at the right time. The children are allowed to “work” in their environment without interruptions for extended periods. If you’ve experienced your child being intently focused on something and oblivious to your presence, that is what we’re going for!
- We guide the child by demonstrating activities – we are not telling him what to do, but showing him how and then stepping back so he can try it and draw his own conclusions.
- Special hands on materials, designed by Maria herself, can be used and are attractive to the child and typically made of wood or metal, not colorful plastic that can be distracting.
It does sound a little odd… so why should you give it another thought? There are so many benefits to doing things the Montessori way! You child can learn tasks that usually require an adult, from self-care to cleaning up after themselves. This will bring about greater self-confidence and a better understanding of the world. Your home will even be tidier as you learn to appeal to a child’s natural sense of order (they really do have one!).
As a busy mom of six, my use of Montessori theory has varied a lot since we had our first child. When I am diligent I see amazing results. I’ve seen my 18 month old glow with pride while he pours a visitor a drink from his pitcher in to a real glass. When I was pregnant and exhausted, it was a lifesaver that my 2 year old could serve himself cereal, pour the milk, and use the potty without much help from me. We homeschool, so we even take a Montessori approach to math and the results blow me away. Even though we have a hectic life like everyone else, Montessori has made such a big impact on our lives that I can’t imagine ever giving it up.
Do you have any experience with Montessori? Would you like to try it?
Googling “Montessori toddler activities” will bring up thousands of results. If you want even more inspiration feel free to check out my Pinterest boards, YouTube videos, or blog posts on the subject. If you’re interested in finding a Montessori school in Mid-Michigan check this map. And as always, shoot me a PM or DM if there are any specific questions I might be able to answer. Enjoy!
