Are you familiar with the Montessori movement? What is it all about? The Montessori parenting is a relaxed parenting approach. Toddlers are allowed to play freely, are not punished for being naughty and are able to explore their surroundings freely hence the reason why are encouraged to sleep on the floor instead of in cribs, among other things.
The Montessori approach focuses on the children’s need for learning through play and their desire to take on responsibility. This method allows children to direct their education themselves, encourages learning and independence through hands on activities.
Interested and would like to learn more about the Montessori movement? Here are some Montessori principles:
Follow the child
Toddlers and children, know what they want from a very young age. This can be troublesome for parents, who constantly want to protect their children from getting hurt, sick or even would like their children to behave in a certain way. In the Montessori approach, parents are only required to prepare and provide a guideline for their children. They are left to choose what they want to do and how they want to play. For example, not all children have a predisposition towards numbers, and for those who love numbers it should be encouraged without any limitation, whilst other children might like something else more but will eventually interact with numbers more.
Freedom within limits
The more positive things and positive thinking we give to our children, the less likely are the children to withdraw. Our homes should be a pleasant environment, therefore too many punishments can make the child associate the home with a negative thing. Notwithstanding, as a parent, you have to create boundaries and focus on the children until they naturally opt for the desirable behavior.
This is an empowering concept. In the Montessori approach freedom within limits is encouraged through the design of the prepared environment. Their classrooms are designed in such a manner as to allow free movement and the Montessori principle. For example having low open shelves and child-friendly work spaces of the Montessori classroom. In this manner, the child is able to move freely around the classroom, and choose their own work within limits of appropriate behavior. However what are the 3 ground rules of a Montessori classroom?
- Respect for oneself – this teaches children how to work safely and productively in a Montessori classroom;
- Respect for others – this relates to social skills and good behavior. It is the child who decides whether to work independently or in a small group, however if in a small group, they have to be invited to work; and
- Respect for the environment – this means taking care for their surroundings including everything within the classroom.
Parent and child time
Spending time with your children is very important whatever parenting approach you adopt but it is even more so in the Montessori parenting approach. Children need to spend time with their parents, whether indoors or outdoors. Parents should watch their children play and let them experience the world. Parents should play with their children, walk with them and do activities together.
Child's Safety
Every parent puts their child’s safety at the top, even whilst playing. The Montessori parenting approach, put a lot of emphasizes on safe playtime for children. It is crucial to create a space where children can play safely and can go in and out at their leisure without getting hurt. This freedom will allow the children to boost their confidence and let them make their own decisions.
Child desires
Have you ever noticed that whilst doing house chores and your child comes running to help? Or tries to imitate you when doing house chores or other day to day activities? We all know that children imitate what they see, but it is also a sign that they want to be involved in their parents` schedule. This helps develop in your child a sense of belonging. Good toys and playrooms are important but are not everything for a child’s development. As parents we should not focus on what the child should or should not do, but rather let them get involved in everyday activities, such as reading, house chores and playing.
If you feel that the Montessori is the right approach for your family, you can start introducing the Montessori approach in your home by making small changes. Allowing your child to help you with dinner, house chores will make them feel part of the family. It might take your longer then usual, but they will definitely feel part of the family. Setting the bathroom in a way that makes it easy for your child to grab the tooth brush and brush their teeth themselves makes them independent. Things need to change overnight but one step at a time.