Adopting the Montessori philosophy can be a great place to start if you're looking for a way to enhance your child's development at home. The Montessori approach emphasizes independence, hands-on learning, and self-directed exploration, which can help children develop a love of learning and a strong sense of self. But how can you implement this approach in your own home?
The following steps will guide you through adopting the Montessori philosophy at home:
Following these steps can create a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports your child's growth and development. Let's dive deeper into each step to explore how to adopt the Montessori philosophy at home.
In order to get started with adopting the Montessori philosophy at home, it's essential to learn about the principles and practices of this approach. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
By familiarizing yourself with these principles and practices, you can see how the Montessori approach can be applied in your home. Remember these ideas as you prepare your home environment and select Montessori activities for your child.
Creating a home environment that encourages learning can be achieved by integrating independence, exploration, and hands-on learning principles. Here are some practical steps to develop a Montessori-inspired space at home:
By implementing these steps, you can create a home environment that supports your child's independence and exploration, which can help them develop important skills and a passion for learning.
Encourage your child's love of learning by incorporating Montessori activities that match their interests and abilities. Observe what activities they enjoy, and choose activities that align with their strengths and skills. For example, if your child is fascinated with shapes, you could create a Montessori-inspired shape-sorting craft using different colored blocks.
It's also important to consider your child's abilities when selecting activities. Choose challenging but not too difficult activities to encourage growth and development. For instance, you could create a Montessori-inspired puzzle using a picture of their favorite animal. This activity would be a fun and challenging way to develop problem-solving skills while encouraging their love for animals.
In Montessori education, a child's growth and development are nurtured by promoting self-reliance and critical thinking. Encouraging children to make decisions independently, like picking their clothes or activities, helps them practice decision-making skills and take responsibility for their choices. It's also essential to allow children to explore and discover on their own, as this encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
By nurturing your child's self-reliance and critical thinking abilities, you equip them with the skills necessary for success in life. To do this, provide your child opportunities to problem-solve and encourage them to explore and learn from their environment.
Observing and reflecting on your child's progress is an important aspect of Montessori education. Here are some tips to help you adjust accordingly:
Take note of your child's interests and abilities: Observe what activities and materials your child enjoys and is skilled at. This will help you choose activities that will challenge them without overwhelming them.
Monitor your child's progress: Keep track of your child's progress in various areas, such as academic skills, social skills, and independence. This will help you identify areas that need improvement and where your child excels.
Reflect on your child's learning experience: Consider how your child responds to Montessori education. Are they engaged and excited about learning? Are they showing independence and confidence in their abilities? This will help you adjust your approach and identify any issues that need addressing.
Adjust your approach accordingly: Based on your observations and reflections, adjust your approach to teaching and learning. Introduce new activities and materials that align with your child's interests and abilities, and provide support in areas where they may be struggling.
By observing and reflecting on your child's progress, you can ensure that they receive a personalized education that meets their unique needs and fosters growth and development in a Montessori-inspired way.
Adopting the Montessori philosophy at home can be a rewarding and effective way to foster your child's development. By following the guidelines in this article and selecting appropriate Montessori activities, you can ensure that your child receives a personalized learning experience that promotes essential skills and a lifelong love of learning.
Author bio
Andrea Gibbs is the Content Manager at SpringHive Web Agency, where she helps create content for their clients' blogs and websites. She is currently a blog contributor at Montessori Academy, a blog dedicated to helping parents with the ins and outs of parenting children within the Montessori tradition. She enjoys spending time with her family and dog when she isn't writing.
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You’ve chosen wood and glass over plastic. For lighting, you went with natural instead of overhead.
You’re always intentional about what items you bring into your home. And that’s especially true when it comes to your child’s learning space.
So what about the other materials in a Montessori home? You know the rule is reality rather than fantasy.
But why? Are books about fairies bad? Should I get rid of the blue duck puzzle?
Why does Montessori use realistic images and true-to-life materials?
Here are 5 reasons the Montessori approach uses true-to-life materials and realistic images.
It often surprises families new to Montessori that the philosophy discourages introducing fantasy to young children. That means no dress-up corner and no play kitchens. But there’s science behind it.
Giving your child real items and showing them pictures of actual things — not illustrated or cartoonish — creates an attachment to reality.
Real items and images don’t stifle your child’s imagination. They create an environment in which their imagination flourishes.
Dr. Montessori learned from her own observations that small children naturally choose reality over fantasy. When given the choice of playing with a dollhouse or serving tea, your child will most likely choose the tea.
And there’s nothing wrong with a dollhouse. But young children’s brains are wired to be amazed at everyday things, like pouring that cup of tea.
To your child, the world is new, and it’s amazing. And when your child is in the absorbent mind stage (birth through age 6), they need materials that make sense.
So instead of filling your child’s shelves with unicorn figurines, try horses. Because horses are incredible and better yet, they’re real.
Parents raising 21st-century children know imagination and creativity are critical in an ever-changing world.
So introducing them to fantasy seems like a sensible way to grow those skills.
But until about age 6, children have difficulty telling the difference between fantasy and reality. And fantasy and imagination aren’t the same.
Fantasy is a world with dragons and animals that talk.
Imagination is the ability to think of scenarios and images in your mind separate from what’s going on around you right now.
Children are naturally imaginative. They don’t need to be taught “how to imagine” through fantasy worlds and make-believe creatures.
Because in the Montessori world, imagination starts with reality.
Give your child real, genuine experiences and materials, because that’s where imagination starts.
The real world is beautiful. Especially the natural world. It drives curiosity and exploration.
Dr. Montessori said:
“The child should live in an environment of beauty.”
The Montessori method stresses the interconnectedness between nature and humans. Dr. Montessori believed children need to see themselves as part of the greater universe, and she called this the “cosmic education.”
Your child learns profound things when they’re in nature. They see beauty in real things. They don’t need fantastical ones. They learn to look for beauty in the real world, and they find it.
For those times when you’re not actually in nature, show them actual images from nature. And let them explore objects that accurately represent things found in nature.
The Montessori method prepares your child for real life. And what better way to do that than for them to use real materials? That’s what Practical Life is all about.
Sometimes called “family work,” Practical Life activities are life’s daily tasks — sweeping the floor, folding the laundry, and preparing food. They’re the work of life.
And you can do many things to incorporate this sense of reality into your child’s at-home learning.
Your toddler is old enough to clean up their spilled cereal.
Skip the toy cleaning set, and give them a size-appropriate broom and dustpan instead — model how to use them, and watch them go.
Adults often grimace at the thought of doing chores. But children want to do them because they’re real. Not fantasy. Your child gets to demonstrate independence by doing the work they’ve seen you do.
So show them how to handle glass safely. Give them a basket of child-safe kitchen utensils. Let them explore. Model how to cut carrots and fold tea towels. Then it’s their turn.
Thoughtfully choosing items for your child shows you care about them because you’re sharing what is beautiful and meaningful to you in real life.
Making conscious decisions about what you make available to your infants and young children says a lot about what you think of your child. Using true-to-life materials shows you trust your child to use them responsibly.
Choosing realistic pictures tells your child they’re capable of learning and using a rich and real vocabulary.
Now, are you ready to make your child’s dream Montessori space a reality?
Then check out the newly released Montessori & Me Safari Animal Puzzles, featuring real animal prints of an elephant, lion, giraffe, and zebra. These two-piece puzzles are the perfect introduction to jigsaw puzzles.
Or pick up a set of Montessori & Me Safari Animal Figurines. These animal figurines are detailed, proportionately scaled, and anatomically correct. Also included are matching wooden cards your child can use to learn about beginning sounds, spelling, and even geography.
Like this information and want to learn even more about Montessori materials? Check out 9 Things You Should Know About At-Home Montessori Materials.
]]>One of your most important goals as a parent is to instill a love of words in your child. A love of reading. A love of writing.
And the Montessori approach makes learning to read and write a joy rather than a chore because it works with your child’s natural development.
You’ve already seen the happiness in your child when they master a new skill - pouring milk into a glass, sorting objects, sweeping the floor.
Maybe without you even knowing it, these skills have prepared your child to read and write because with a Montessori approach, a child isn’t taught literacy skills. They acquire them during their natural course of development.
Want to know more about reading and writing using the Montessori method?
Here are 5 ways to teach reading and writing using a Montessori approach.
There’s no such thing as too early when it comes to laying the groundwork for reading and writing because the sensitive period begins in the womb and continues through age 6. That’s when your child is wired to meet developmental milestones, including language acquisition.
Dr. Montessori said, “It’s important to remember the child’s actions are not due to random choice but directed by their inner needs for development.” Young children are made to learn language. By 3, most children are ready to learn letter sounds, and by 4, most can read basic words.
So what can you do to enhance their development? Speak to your child early and often.
Remember how your infant reacted when you started talking to them? Their bodies jerked and squirmed because they wanted to make the sounds you were making. Children want to communicate.
Read to your child. Let them “read” to you. Children can use the pictures in a book to tell their own story, so have them “take a picture walk.” Let them turn the pages. Point out things you see. Talk about them, and use their real names. Language is everywhere. Show them.
Phonics means sounds, and it’s the way of teaching literacy in Montessori. With phonics, each letter or group of letters relates to a sound we make when talking. To be able to read, your child needs to know their letter sounds.
The Montessori method combines phonics with sensory learning, and this is often done with sandpaper letters. Vowels are typically blue, while consonants are red. Children trace the letters with their fingers while learning the letters’ sounds. Therefore, the letter and its sounds are committed to both visual and muscle memory.
You don’t need to go in alphabetical order. Start with 3 letters, and show your child 1 letter at a time. For example, if your child is working with the letter “M,” show them how to trace it slowly. Make sure to start on the left side, then model how to say the letter’s sound at the end of each tracing.
When your child is comfortable with single letters, move on to double letters like “sh,” “th,” and “ar.”
Phonological awareness is the ability to work with the sounds of spoken language, and phonemes are the smallest unit of speech. It’s just teacher talk for “the sounds letters make.” For example, the word “cat” has 3 phonemes (or sounds) - “c,” “a,” and “t.”
Having strong phonological awareness means your child can:
Sounds complicated, right? It’s not. Again, these are teacher terms for things you’re probably doing with your child already. You strengthen your child’s phonological awareness every time you sing silly songs, recite nursery rhymes, and play sound games.
In Montessori, children learn to write before they learn to read because developmentally, it’s more natural for your child to build their own words before they read the words of others. Writing, or encoding, is how your child gets what’s in their head on paper.
Introduce your child to a movable alphabet. A movable alphabet is an essential literacy tool, and a Montessori home or classroom isn’t complete without one.
A movable alphabet is a wooden box with letters inside, and your child uses those letters to create simple words. And just like sandpaper letters, the vowels in a movable alphabet are blue and consonants are red.
Once your child is confident creating three-letter words, they can move on to more complex words and even begin making short sentences. Did you catch that? Your child is writing!
Reading is the natural next step after learning to write. Now that your child can encode their own words, they’re ready to read or decode, words someone else has written.
Reading is understanding that symbols stand for sounds. Sounds combine together to make words. And words connect with other words to deliver meaning.
Remember the ball tracker your toddler couldn’t get enough of? Tracking the ball prepared your child to read left to write. And the alphabet tracing boards they used to write and read their first words? Both of these pieces helped get your child to where they are now. Readers and writers!
So what can you do now? Make sure they have a child-sized bookshelf in their room or “yes” space with books they can grab freely. Change out the books regularly so they’re always looking forward to what you put out next.
The ball tracker and tracing boards we just mentioned? Get them back out. Montessori materials are classic and timeless, and your child will love working with them again.
Need a movable alphabet to make your Montessori literacy toolkit complete? Montessori & Me just released their movable alphabet.
Montessori & Me’s movable alphabet includes:
The storage case has each letter printed on it so your child can put away the letters independently. And the letters are painted on only one side so children can tell the difference between “b” and “d.”
And unlike others on the market, Montessori & Me’s movable alphabet has lines printed on the lid that your child can use to make sure their letters are nice and straight.
Our movable alphabet has everything you need. That means your child can start reading and writing today!
]]>Keeping your child safe is your top responsibility as a parent. And as a Montessori parent, striking that balance between safety and independence can seem tricky.
You want to encourage your child’s natural need for exploration while also making sure they won’t be hurt in the process.
So how do you keep your child safe and promote independence?
Here are 4 ways to baby-proof and create yes spaces in your Montessori home.
Listen. It can be very tempting as a parent to baby-proof everything. Because let’s be real… it would be much easier to lock every cabinet, cover every door handle, and do whatever else needs to be done so we can just kick back.
But doing that takes away teachable moments that allow kiddos to learn respect for boundaries, and it doesn’t create the long-term independence we want in our children.
So when freedom within limits is your goal, think baby-friendly, not baby-proof.
But how exactly do you do that?
Yes spaces are designated and enclosed areas where infants and young children can explore without limits. They can be an entire room in your house or just a portion of a room. Creating a yes space is simple once you know how:
Remember even with the most thoughtfully-designed yes space, you still need to keep your eyes on your kiddo. While the Montessori methods teach children to understand and recognize their limits, young children and infants need constant and active supervision.
Woohoo! You’ve done the work and set up your yes space.
But before you let your kiddo roam free, there’s something else you need to do.
And it might seem obvious and even silly, but the best way to make sure your space is truly ready for safe exploration is by getting on their level.
When you’re talking to your kiddo, you lower yourself so you can be eye-to-eye. Use the same idea when planning a child-friendly place for your little one. Get down on your hands and knees and check out the view from your child’s perspective.
From up high, things might seem safer than they actually are. Once you’re looking from your child’s point of view, however, you might notice some things you initially overlooked.
Maybe you thought the hardwood floors were fine, but that’s because you were standing. Now that you’re on your knees, you might decide a non-slip rug is in order.
Try pulling up on that low shelf. It seemed okay when you were pushing down on it from above, but when you practice pulling up on the edge like your kiddo will, it falls forward a little.
Taking a peek at your home from your child’s perspective is a simple but essential step to take when creating a Montessori space that promotes independence while ensuring your child’s safety.
It doesn’t matter how old a child is. They always want to be seen as older. Baby-proofing everything in your house sends the message that your kiddo isn’t capable of making a decision.
The Montessori method is all about choice. Allowing your child the freedom to do things adults normally do - washing dishes, folding laundry, drinking from a glass - boosts their self-esteem and teaches them they’re capable of doing grown-up things.
Having children learn their limits in a safe space is critical. Because when they go out into the world, they’re able to draw from their experiences at home to explore and make decisions authentically and independently.
Baby-proofing everything in your home can create a false sense of reality regarding the real world - it can make children believe the world will tell them what is, and is not, safe. If a space is completely locked up, it teaches a child to only avoid locked up areas. It removes the opportunity for your child to make their own decisions when they’re outside of your home.
Making yes spaces and using Montessori methods in your home takes time upfront, but the long-term payoff is huge. You’ll end up with kiddos that take on responsibilities capably and confidently.
And in the end, isn’t that what we all want as parents?
Love this content and want to learn more about making your home a Montessori home? Click here to check out Ashley Yeh’s book, The Montessori Home.
]]>The sense of confidence and independence its practices give your child.
The contentment those practices give you knowing you’re laying a strong foundation for your child.
Your infant is now a toddler, and you’ve heard a little about the concept of one-to-one correspondence.
You know it’s part of Montessori’s math foundation.
But you’re still not exactly sure what it is, how to introduce it to your child, or what tools you need.
Here are 4 things you need to know about one-to-one correspondence.
At a very young age, most children can count to 10. They do it from memory. They’ve heard their parents and other adults do it, and they’re repeating it.
Counting and one-to-one correspondence are different. Counting is listing numbers, and mathematical problem-solving isn’t possible unless children understand what those numbers actually mean.
One-to-one correspondence means understanding an item can only be counted once and assigning a number to that item. It’s counting while pointing to or touching an object. And while many traditional early childhood learning programs skip this concept, it’s fundamental in Montessori math.
One-to-one correspondence is sometimes referred to as rational counting. It’s a much more complex skill than rote counting (reciting numbers in order from memory). Children are ready to begin exploring one-to-one correspondence and assigning values to numbers at about 18 months to 2 years old.
As with all Montessori concepts, introduce your child to one-to-one correspondence with concrete objects first. Children need to touch and feel to understand the concept of quantity before they can understand how numbers fit with the skill.
As a parent, modeling is an easy and effective way to introduce your child to one-to-one correspondence. Point and count out loud–the flowers in the vase, the toothbrushes on the bathroom counter. Use items that are identical to each other whenever possible. This will help eliminate confusion for children as they begin to explore value.
In one-to-one correspondence, the order of the numbers matters. The order of the objects counted doesn’t. Start with 3 objects and move up. Your child sets the pace for their learning; the goal is concept mastery, not speed. Resist the urge to correct them when they make a mistake. This is part of the learning process. Correcting a child lowers their energy for the activity and can be interpreted as punishment.
Transferring or moving things from one place to another is an additional way to introduce one-to-one correspondence concretely. Model counting and moving objects from one tray to another, then have your child do it. If they skip a number or say a number twice, model it again. Want to add to the fun? Have them use tongs for a fine motor skill boost.
During the concrete stage of one-to-one correspondence, children learn the same numbers can be assigned to different things. There can be 4 apples in a bowl and 4 children in a classroom. This is another fundamental concept for math.
While your child is in the concrete stage of learning one-to-one correspondence, don’t use any written representation of numbers. Once your child has mastered one-to-one correspondence with objects, they’re ready to move on to abstract number symbols.
Your child is usually ready to move on to the abstract concept around age 3 or 4.
Once your child has mastered concrete one-to-one correspondence, they’re ready for abstract one-to-one correspondence. That means introducing written numbers. Keep in mind numbers are symbols, and in this case, those symbols represent quantity.
Your child can count and transfer a group of objects one at a time, so the next step is to bring in the numbers corresponding to those quantities. Your child can count 8 rocks, so now it’s time to include the numeric symbols for 1- 8.
Understanding the abstract concept of one-to-one correspondence lays the groundwork for all of your child’s subsequent math skills. It’s a prerequisite for any future math–adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
One-to-one correspondence will become automatic, and your child won’t even think about what they’re doing. But they’ll have learned number sense in a way that equips them for much deeper problem solving later. Rote counting alone won’t do that.
So what tools do you need to get started?
Counting peg boards are a great next step for your child as they explore this stage of their one-to-one correspondence understanding. With a peg board, your child matches the appropriate number of pegs to the corresponding number on the board.
Peg boards are a classic Montessori learning instrument because they’re self-correcting. Self-correction is very important because your child gets immediate feedback about whether or not they’ve matched the right number of pegs with the correct number.
They don’t require adult interaction, so they build your child’s confidence and independence. With a counting peg board, your child identifies number patterns, and pattern recognition is another fundamental Montessori skill.
Montessori & Me’s Counting Peg Board is the perfect tool for learning one-to-one correspondence and developing your child’s number recognition skills.
Our set consists of 10 wooden number boards with a wooden box and 57 counting pegs.
It has a canvas drawstring bag for convenient storage, and its design makes it work well as a permanent piece and as a grab-and-go toy.
We made our counting board and pegs to last. They’re made from sustainably-harvested rubberwood and conform to safety standards.
The smooth finish won’t scratch little hands, and the child-safe lacquer finish makes cleaning a breeze.
Montessori & Me’s Counting Peg Board is perfect for home or the classroom.
Continue giving your child the best and get yours today.
]]>But don’t despair. Some things are fundamental. And when you’re struggling with how to help your child’s development, there’s one simple thing you can do every day: get them outside.
As Dr. Maria Montessori explained, children should have free access to outdoor play. She understood the natural learning environment was critical.
Here are 7 reasons outdoor play is important for children’s development.
Everything a child needs to know about interacting with others, they learn on the playground. Let’s be real. It’s hard to learn how to get along with others by staring at a screen or plugging into a video game. It just doesn’t work.
When children play outside with their friends at recess or with other children at the park, they learn to negotiate. Children learn to take turns on the swings. They learn to hang back for their friend that’s walking a little slower than the rest of the group. They learn the social contract of life, and they learn it most effectively without unnecessary interference from adults.
So take a seat on the bench and relish in the look of accomplishment on your child’s face when they invite a new friend to play with them.
Children are spending more time inside than ever before. And in this one-click world, having an appreciation for the natural world is critical,not just for the health of the planet but for their own health. So make sure your child has intentional time in nature each day.
Nature has restorative properties, and there’s something magical about children napping outside and walking barefoot in the grass. Just being outside changes your mood, and it does the same thing for children. It activates the senses, and that’s how children interpret the world. Let them experience the smell of fresh snowfall and feel the wetness of a spring rain.
Outside, your child's imagination runs wild. When children are outside, streams become castle moats, and mounds of dirt become mountains waiting to be conquered.
The outdoor world is limitless, which appeals to your child’s need for independence and adventure. Outside is freedom. It’s the place where kids get to actually use their outside voices. They get to do those things they’re told not to do inside. Run as fast as they want. Climb up a slide. Scream at the top of their lungs.
And when children have enough outdoor time, it actually increases their ability to focus and concentrate more deeply. Giving your child the time they need to get their wiggles out allows them to be more successful during those inevitable moments when they have to sit quietly.
It’s pretty obvious, but children are more active when they’re outside. And when children are more active, they sleep better and learn better; they do all things better.
Outdoor play improves your child’s overall health. It’s physical exercise that your child sees as play. Gyms can be challenging for many adults, because they're artificial. Making outside play part of your child’s daily routine can instill a love of movement that carries them into adulthood.
Struggling to get your child outside? Go with them. Bring their favorite books outside. Keep a blanket in your car for impromptu picnics because some children need more encouragement than others to get outdoors.
Children and adults need sunshine. It’s physiologically important. Vitamin D is something your child’s body needs. It supports their bone growth, brain and nervous system, and overall cardiovascular health.
Seasonal affective disorder is real. People are sadder without sunlight, and that includes children. Even on cloudy days, the light your child gets from being outside is far better than the light you get inside.
When children don’t get enough sunshine, their rhythms are off. And as a parent, you know your child’s rhythms and routines are critical to their feelings of stability and security.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “There is no bad weather, just weather you’re not prepared for.” Too often, outside time is seen as something children have only when it’s 72 degrees and sunny. And if you live somewhere with harsh seasons, it’s certainly easier to stay inside on those less than ideal weather days,
But children need to go outside whenever it’s safe to be outside. That means bundle up when it’s snowing and throw a swimsuit on in the summer. And remember, “no” is for safety, so let your child splash in the puddles and cook you mudpies in their imaginary kitchen.
Being able to take risks is important. For children, learning to take risks in a safe and controlled environment is a very effective way to develop this skill. And outside is an ideal environment for that.
Children need to test their boundaries and not be told what their limits are. They need to experience them. Your child needs to decide how high is too high to swing. They need to decide whether or not they’re ready to climb that tree.
It’s very natural to want to protect your child from falling, but resist the urge at the park and in life. Because remember, it’s not about falling, it’s about whether or not your child gets back up.
And they will. With you by their side.
Did you find this information helpful? If so, please check out our other blogs. At Montessori & Me, we are committed to bringing you content that enriches your family’s life.
]]>You’ve heard your pediatrician mention it at check-ups. You’ve seen it on other Montessori sites. Maybe you’ve even seen a labeled toy in a Montessori classroom.
But you’re still not totally clear on what it is. So what is object permanence exactly?
Object permanence is the idea that just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not there. That may seem obvious to adults, but this concept is earth-shattering to babies. And understanding this concept is a major developmental milestone in infants.
To understand object permanence, think about how excited babies get when someone plays peek-a-boo with them. They laugh and giggle every time they see the adult’s face reappear behind a blanket or pair of hands.
Sure, the game is fun to the adult, but it’s something even more to the baby. Babies seven months or younger haven’t developed object permanence; that means when they can’t see something, it’s gone. That something can be their favorite stuffed animal under their blanket or even their caregiver when he leaves the room.
Understanding that babies interpret the world differently helps adults see why infants cry when they can’t see something that we know is still there. Object permanence means you can have a mental picture of something and know it’s still there even though you can’t see it.
So, how do we know all this?
Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist, and he was one of the first thinkers to propose that children and adults think differently. Until his time, most people thought that children were just small adults.
But Piaget didn’t think this was true. Instead, he believed that a child’s thinking grows and develops.
And he identified four critical stages of cognitive development:
Piaget believed that infants understand the concept of object permanence at about eight months old or during the sensorimotor stage.
Piaget’s research is still significant today. Maria Montessori took his thinking one step further.
Dr. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator who also thought differently about the way children learn. She believed that children learned by doing, and experiential learning was critical.
Like Piaget, Dr. Montessori understood the importance of object permanence in babies, and she even designed materials specifically for the concept. These items are still used today in the movement area of Montessori classrooms, and they target children aged infant through toddler.
Object permanence materials are found in the movement portion of the Montessori curriculum because children typically need to be able to sit up before they can use them. They also need to have fine motor skills that are developed enough so they can use the materials independently.
One of the first items used to study object permanence in children was a box with a tray. With this item, a child places a ball in a hole. The item briefly disappears and then reappears in the tray.
There are two objectives with this item. First, the child learns the item still exists even though he can’t see it. Secondly, the child further develops his fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination because the ball has to be placed correctly into the hole for the process to work.
The object permanence box is a classic Montessori tool.
A slightly more challenging object permanence toy is the box with a drawer. With this toy, children again drop an object through a hole. However, the object lands in a drawer this time, and children must open the drawer to find it.
Like the original box, children learn that the object is still there even though they can’t see it. This toy is more ambitious, because children need to understand they must open the drawer to find the object.
The process is very important in the Montessori method. It’s calming for children to know what comes next because predictability promotes stability.
Whenever you want to introduce a new item to your child, show them the process of using the item and invite them to use it.
When introducing the object permanence box to your child:
The Montessori method and Montessori materials are powerful because they teach the importance of order and exploration. And object permanence materials are tools that highlight both.
Are you a parent ready to watch your baby learn object permanence? Or are you an educator looking for Montessori items for your classroom? Either way, Montessori & Me has you covered.
Our object permanence box is beautiful and timeless. The box is made from eco-friendly hardwood and covered with a child-safe finish. And the ball size conforms to child-safety regulations, so you can feel confident knowing your child can play independently without fear of choking.
Click here to purchase.
Oh! And one more thing! Montessori & Me is getting ready to release its own object permanence box with a drawer. Make sure you’ve subscribed to our email list so you can get up-to-date information about when it will be released.
Exciting!
]]>And there is a lot of conflicting information these days about what is and what isn’t Montessori, especially when it comes to materials.
Here are 9 things you should know about at-home Montessori materials.
Dr. Maria Montessori encouraged hands-on learning, and the right materials are everything. The most important thing a material needs to do is grab your child’s attention in a permanent way.
Montessori materials are engaging and promote creativity in children. They invite children to experience and experiment. Montessori materials are beautiful, educational, and welcoming.
Montessori items are top-quality products and, when cared for, can last for years and years. So always, always choose quality over quantity. A few well-chosen and quality items are far better than a roomful of low quality items.
Montessori materials fit into three categories: academic, sensorial, and practical life.
Academic materials target language, science, and math. Classic items include sandpaper letters, number rods, and wooden tracing boards.
Sensorial materials are what you think they are. They allow children to learn through their senses. Sensory learning is key to brain development, and sensorial stimuli literally make children’s brains grow, especially from ages 3 to 7. When choosing sensory materials, think wooden cubes, brass bells, and the evergreen pink tower.
Practical life focuses on the tools and tasks of everyday life–washing dishes, folding clothes, and preparing food. Children crave independence, and letting them participate in the activities of daily life gives them confidence. So let them dress themselves and wipe down the table after dinner.
Here is where much of the “what is and what isn’t Montessori” discussion lands. And you can make yourself crazy worrying about it.
Instead of perfection, go for consistency and opt for natural products like wood, brass, glass, and woven textiles when you can.
Natural goes for lighting, too. Choose sun-filled spaces and avoid artificial lighting. What’s even better? Go outside. After all, there’s nothing more natural than nature.
In keeping with the natural materials, go for glass over plastic. There are many products out there that make life easier in the short term: sippy cups, no-spill lids, etc. But these products are not aligned with practical life learning, and they are not Montessori.
Dr. Montessori believed in the independence and capabilities of children. She believed they should pour water into a real glass, peel a real carrot, and use a real knife.
Jars spill, and glasses break. That’s part of life. These items are real and command respect. They teach children about the delicate aspects of our world.
When selecting Montessori materials, think about them from a child’s perspective. Children are smaller, and you need to keep that in mind when thinking about materials. Dr. Montessori called her school Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House, for a reason.
Also, children are closer to the ground. Make the floor your new best friend, because that’s where children spend much of their time. Place materials where children can access them and put them away. Trays are great, too; they contain all the items for one activity in a single space, and children can carry them to wherever they choose to work.
And remember that furniture and tools should be child-size, too.
Open-ended vs. close-ended toys is another area of Montessori debate. Again, don’t get caught up in this discussion. Spoiler alert - both are fine.
Open-ended toys like art supplies, vehicles, and dolls encourage imagination. And there are no rules. The possibilities are endless. Open-ended toys are great for independent play because children can retell stories, make up stories, and even work through things.
Close-ended toys like puzzles and object matching work have boundaries, and that makes children feel safe. There is order and self-correction, and working with close-ended toys gives children a sense of accomplishment. And here’s another spoiler alert: children can use close-ended toys in an open-ended way.
It’s typical to see school classrooms covered floor to ceiling in instructional posters, pictures, and charts. And it’s tempting to do that in your at-home learning areas as well. But wall-to-wall decoration is overwhelming to children and prevents focus.
Montessori walls should be empty to start and then filled with children’s own work, not pre-made materials. Leave the walls above work shelves bare and even bulletin board free. Let children display their way and decorate their space. This creates a personalized learning environment and gives children agency. Very Montessori.
Like the walls, all work areas should be clutter-free and organized. A prepared Montessori environment might seem sparse, but that’s by intention. Every item has its place, allowing children to get out their work and put it away.
And a good “shelfie” isn’t just for Instagram. A calm, orderly at-home learning space makes children feel safe. Order provides predictability, and a well set-up environment means that children can maintain the space themselves.
Also, cozy spaces are clutch. Children need soft furnishings where they can curl up and work. The juxtaposition of textures is very important in Montessori spaces, so make sure your at-home space has a balance of both hard and soft furnishings.
Ready to bring Montessori materials into your home? Let Montessori & Me get you started.
See our wide range of products, including tracing boards, pegboards, and object permanence boxes. All products are eco-friendly and made with sustainability in mind.
Start your own Casa dei Bambini today!
]]>Here at Montessori & Me, we are lifelong learners of everything and anything Montessori! We absolutely love these vlogs and blogs that guide us to Maria Montessori's leading principals in order to sprinkle a little Montessori into everything we do with our kids!
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Here are some ideas of how you can weave practical life skills into your child's day.
Around the house:
In the kitchen:
Source: Simone Davies
Do you have any additional life skills you'd like to share with us? We'd love to hear from you!
]]>Montessori is an educational philosophy that gently nurtures a child's natural impulse to learn. This educational style carefully balances the relationship between adult and child to thoughtfully guide children through the process of learning.
The overall goal of the Montessori method is to avoid arbitrarily controlling a child's education and instead allowing a child to naturally develop their innate desire to learn. Ideally, Montessori education should start at birth and continue throughout a child's schooling years.
Upon graduating from medical school in 1896, Maria Montessori became one of Italy's first female physicians. Initially focusing on psychiatry, Dr. Montessori's academic focus gradually shifted to education.
Maria's observations of the era's dominant educational methods led her to question whether the default approach to educating children was the most effective. In 1907, Dr. Montessori gained the opportunity to put her theories to the test when she opened the first Casa dei Bambini in San Lorenzo, one of the poorest districts in Rome.
The initial approaches that Dr. Maria Montessori took in San Lorenzo compose the basic framework of today's modern Montessori method. By carefully observing the behavior of children, Dr. Montessori discovered, it's possible to construct educational environments that accommodate their natural inclinations toward learning.
Montessori classrooms feature organized, calm environments and child-sized furniture such as miniature desks, chairs, and shelves. Children are encouraged to do as much for themselves as they can whether it's engaging with toys or making healthy snacks.
Montessori homes are not remarkably different from Montessori classrooms. Whether it's at home or in the classroom, Montessori children are surrounded by clean, organized, child-sized environments filled with high-quality, durable toys and learning tools made with natural, non-toxic materials.
Instead of micromanaging their engagement with activities, Montessori parents allow their children to explore open-ended toys that can be played with in dozens of different ways. The aim of Montessori education in the home is not to divert children with endless distractions. On the contrary, excessive screen time and toys that are designed specifically to entertain are discouraged.
Every toy and activity has its place in a Montessori home, and children are encouraged to actively engage with toys throughout the day. Children dress themselves when appropriate, and they spend as much time outside as possible.
Why should you try Montessori? Because it unlocks a child's true potential within an atmosphere of love and mutual respect.
Following the Montessori method makes daily life smoother and calmer, and the sense of personal responsibility and respect for others instilled by Montessori parenting generates an environment that's suffused with love, kindness, and warmth. A child who grows up in a Montessori home becomes a confident and independent adult, and their enhanced sense of curiosity and love of learning equips them to effortlessly discover their ideal life path.
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