How to Incorporate Montessori at Home
Getting your children to focus at home can sometimes be challenging. Your child’s development is important, and finding new methods to help that development is essential. Realizing the full potential of your child at home can be difficult—you may need some extra help.
That’s where the Montessori method comes in.
Let’s explore the Montessori method and how you can implement it at home.
What Is the Montessori Method?
The Montessori method is based on the principles of Maria Montessori. Dr. Montessori believed that children have the most absorbent minds from the ages 0 to 6. During this time, their capacity to retain information is at its highest.
The Montessori method is a teaching method that primarily focuses on young children—and is a concept rooted in education that focuses on individualized, environment-centric learning.
Students under the guidance of the Montessori method are encouraged to interact and collaborate with each other to solve problems using critical thinking. This collaboration and problem-solving environment work to promote confidence in their ability to reason and make decisions.
Some key principles of the Montessori method include:
- Respect for self, peers, and teachers
- Independence
- Respect for the environment
- Freedom within limits
- Self-discipline and self-motivation
- Respect for knowledge and the process of acquiring it
The Montessori method is all about building up the confidence and self-esteem of your child. The overall goal is to make your child comfortable with critical thinking, problem-solving, artful expression, and the general exploration of ideas.
According to the Montessori method, there are sensitive periods during your child’s development that allow for their brain to be more receptive when acquiring certain abilities such as:
- Language
- Movement (coordination, spatial awareness, and motor skills)
- Incorporating and refining senses
- Manners and etiquette
- Reading and math readiness
Children have an absorbent mind, and the Montessori method works to make the most of this crucial time in development.
Incorporating Montessori at Home
There are certain aspects of the Montessori method you can apply at home. The key principles of Montessori can be used to create an environment that fosters continued learning and development.
The Montessori method promotes independence and self-motivation to learn and thrive. Let’s take a look at some steps you can take to incorporate this at home.
Practice Self-Motivation
Children who practice self-motivation learn to work hard even if no reward is offered; this skill will be crucial to your child’s development.
Your child is in the growing stage, and learning to not focus on a reward is crucial to their work ethic and concentration. If you praise your children, it’s best to praise the effort and not the overall outcome.
Give Your Children Space
It can be challenging to take a hands-off approach when it comes to learning and education with your child. But independent learning is a pillar of Montessori to let them play and observe what they accomplish from a distance.
You can learn a lot from sitting back and seeing how your child reacts to creating and organizing independently.
Working Together
When at home, your child will be drawn to you and want to mimic you. Modeling an activity for your children is a great way to promote learning.
Demonstrating a task and inviting your child to work together with you is a great way to build their confidence and familiarity. Once you’ve gotten through the task, allow them to work through it on their own and observe how they react to it.
This method of working together can build great lasting habits.
Don’t Forget About Socializing
The multi-aged classroom atmosphere is an aspect of the Montessori method that separates it from traditional schooling. Preparing your child for this learning style and the different environment allows them to play and socialize with children younger and older than them.
Encouraging socialization with children of different ages can help your child learn to be more inclusive, cooperative, and kind.
One of the great things about the Montessori method is the flexibility and accessibility that translates to home learning.
Moving Forward With Montessori
The younger years for your children are very formative and key to development. The Montessori method is a great way to nurture their creative and inquiring minds and allow you to witness and understand their development.Contact the Mosaic Montessori Academy today to learn more about the Montessori method and discover if it’s right for your child.
