Montessori training should not end at school. It should extend at home and in other areas of your child’s life. Montessori education prepares your children for life so it makes sense that you incorporate the Montessori method at home.
How can I practice Montessori at home? You can practice Montessori at home by including your children in home activities like giving them age appropriate chores and other activities. You can also adjust the design of certain areas at home to make it Montessori-friendly. The Montessori method is all about giving children independence and letting them learn on their own within the Montessori environment. Here’s how…
Organize Your Home
Incorporate Montessori principles in setting up your home. You don’t need to change the design and set up of your home. Just provide designated learning areas to accommodate your child’s needs.
Provide a space that they can call their own. Use child-sized furniture, Montessori materials, and many others.
The Living Room
The family spends a lot of time in the living room. This is where you watch tv, relax and bond together as a family.
This does not need to change. Make room for your child at a corner where they do not get distracted and they don’t disturb other family members of their activities.
By giving them their own learning area, you set limits and rules that they can follow. Within their Montessori spaces they can explore, discover, make creative choices, and learn. Give them the responsibility to maintain order and cleanliness of their space.
● Activity corner
- Low shelving and storage spaces
- Child-sized furniture
- Floor mats
- Montessori learning materials
The Kitchen
Make room for your kids in the kitchen. Let them pitch in and take responsibility. Give them age-appropriate chores.
Provide them their own storage area where they can store healthy snacks, their own utensils, etc. Give them their own table and chairs so they can set up their table and feed themselves during meal times.
Give them step tools so they can wash their utensils and help in simple food preparations. They can help wash fruits and cut vegetables using child-friendly knives, etc.
The Bedroom
The bedroom is your child’s main domain. To make it Montessori-friendly, it has to serve as a sleeping, dressing, play, and study area.
Use Montessori beds or floor beds. Provide a child-size closet that will allow them to pick their outfits and organize their clothes.
Designate a learning area for playing and studying.
Your Backyard
If you have a backyard, provide an activity area where they can move around, be physical, and explore nature.
Montessori teaches practical skills so students can learn to love oneself, others, and nature.
Use play and exploration to develop your child’s love for learning. Observe their interests and use that to facilitate learning new skills and knowledge.
Emphasize on Practical Life Skills
You can help Montessori schools in preparing your children to become independent and be productive members of society.
Start with practical life skills like feeding themselves, cleaning up their rooms, gardening, taking care of pets, and many others.
Your goal at home is to teach children to rely on their own skills and help in the house.
Teach Concentration
Allow your children to focus on one task at a time. Let them finish an activity before giving them another one.
Give them enough time for uninterrupted work with less supervision. This will teach them focus and concentration.
Identify your children’s interests. Set them up with a designated space and learning materials to explore those interests independently.
Focus on Inner Motivation
Teach your children to take pride in learning new skills and achieving goals. Do not use rewards as motivation. Your children will not be motivated to work on their own if they are used to getting rewards every time they do something.
Verbal praises should be given moderately.
Children should learn to find pleasure in gaining knowledge not rewards.
Your Role as A Montessori Parent / Montessori Adult
You, the parents, play one of the most important roles in Montessori training. Your roles include but not limited to:
- Design and prepare the Montessori environment
- Pick Montessori furniture, learning materials, decorations, activities, etc.
- Observe what your child is doing and adapt according to their progress. If they are bored or overwhelmed, you can take away or add Montessori materials as needed.
- Provide Montessori activities and materials that will peak their interests.
- You are your child’s role model in practising life skills. Show them how it is done.
- Provide consistency and order at home. Repetition and routine is vital in a Montessori setting.
- Provide uninterrupted work periods. Do not interfere, just guide. Uninterrupted period fosters independence, concentration, and love for learning.
- Listen to your. Gold, communicate effectively, and respect their choices, opinion, and needs.
By using the Montessori method at home, you will develop a mutual respect between you and your children.
FAQs
Is it expensive to practice Montessori at home? Montessori furniture, learning materials, toys, and other items can be expensive. You can save by improvising and using some items you have already at home. You make your own furniture if you have the skills. There are discounted Montessori materials if you do your research.
Will the whole family be affected if we practice Montessori at home? Yes. The change will not be major if you follow our above mentioned changes. But it will still affect everyone at home. It will not be a disrupted change though. It will be a good change that will provide a better flow and better relationships at home.
Is home Montessori for everyone? The Montessori method was designed to benefit every child and family that is willing to adapt to it. It will only bring positive changes and improvements to your children and your home.
Summary
You can practice Montessori at home by including your children in home activities like giving them age appropriate chores and other activities. You can also adjust the design of certain areas at home to make it Montessori-friendly. The Montessori method is all about giving children independence and letting them learn on their own within the Montessori environment.
Children’s curiosity rises when they are in the right environment given the proper tools. Learning becomes easy when they get the right support.