Maria Montessori believed that all children are interested in learning; they just need a welcoming environment and an appropriate level of guidance. Montessori’s philosophies can be easily applied to parenting and will help ensure that your child sees success no matter where they finish out their education.
How Children Learn and Grow
Maria Montessori’s method was based on a unique philosophy that she developed over her career as a psychiatrist and educator. She had three major principles that guided almost all of her teachings:
Children want to learn. Maria Montessori revolutionized the world of education when she suggested that children naturally want to learn and engage with their environment. Much of her method focuses on enabling this desire to learn while removing obstacles that get in the way of a healthy education.
Learning happens at its own pace. Dr. Montessori knew that you couldn’t rush a lesson, especially if you wanted it to stick. She believed that children were ready to learn certain skills at certain points of their life, and she went out of her way to design classes that were suited for the students she was teaching.
Good environments are essential for a good education. No one can learn in a noisy or distracting environment. Maria Montessori worked to create carefully curated classroom environments where children could work in peace while still receiving the attention they needed to succeed.
Creating a Montessori Environment
Although you shouldn’t try to turn your home into a Montessori classroom, there are plenty of environmental traits that you can adopt to make your child’s life healthier and more productive. In general, Maria Montessori recommended that children should be raised in a clean and orderly environment. Parents should expect to help maintain this environment while they slowly teach children to be able to clean up after themselves.
Dr. Montessori also thought it was important to give children access to tools, toys, and furniture that were appropriate for their size and age. In addition to kid-sized tables and chairs, Montessori might also provide small brooms, cookware, and other utility items that might have practical or educational uses.
In your own home, you should try to find a balance between cleanliness and comfort. Make sure that your kids have access to environmental features that they are allowed to interact with; young kids often thrive when they have a playroom or a similar space intended just for them.
Work Sessions at Home
The work period is one of the signature features of a Montessori school day. During work periods, children are given a block of one to three hours in which they are allowed to focus entirely on the activity of their choice. Although a parent or teacher should be present to offer assistance, they should allow the child to lead the activity and work on their own as much as possible.
Work sessions typically involve giving the child access to Montessori materials. From puzzles to activity sheets to discovery kits, the entire goal is to provide an educational experience that will enrich the child while letting them work autonomously.
Joining the Montessori Community
Becoming a Montessori parent is as simple as understanding that children deserve respect and are eager to become a part of their community. Parents can also take advantage of the strong community spirit that the Montessori method builds, especially with the online resources that are available today.
If you decide to adopt the Montessori philosophy, consider reaching out to a local Montessori school like Austin Children’s Academy. Read blog posts, learn about the educational style, and keep your eye out for fresh activities for the kids. The American Montessori Society also offers a wide variety of articles and resources.
