Aug 08 , 2023
HOW-TO ACHIEVE THE MONTESSORI METHOD AT HOME
Here are some ideas for setting up a Montessori environment for your Montessori student.
1. Get Your Environment Organised
"A place for everything and everything in its place" is a key Montessori principle at home. Your youngster will rapidly learn where everything goes if you assign a location for everything. This is an important tool for teaching kids to be responsible for their possessions and to clean up any mistakes they may cause. The most fundamental modification you'll want to make to successfully organise your environment is to make items more accessible for your child.
To keep the procedure easy, we propose that parents begin by organising each room of the house. The following are some of the top Montessori home setup ideas to promote learning and empowerment.
Kitchen
Your kitchen provides various possibilities for your growing child to gain independence, from helping to put groceries away to cleaning up the floors and tables after a meal. Arranging your kitchen such that goods are easy to reach and duties are simplified for your children will encourage them to do more with less supervision.
Consider the following ideas for organising your space and making your kitchen more accessible to your child:
- Stools for climbing: Install step stools in the kitchen and bathroom to allow your child to wash their hands and, in the kitchen, assist with food preparation and dishwashing.
- Tables and chairs: Include a kid-sized table and chair in your kitchen so your child may prepare their own meal while also having a pleasant place to sit and eat. Creating this space can also educate kids how to clean up after themselves after eating and how to keep eating spaces clean.
- Utensils: Store your child's favourite utensils, bowls, plates, and cups in a low cupboard or drawer where they can easily reach them and return them after cleaning up. Giving your child real utensils rather than toy versions can also help them learn how to use them correctly at the dinner table.
Bedroom
Your child's bedroom should be a safe refuge for them to finish their homework, get dressed, play, and unwind. To provide a safe, tranquil environment, make sure their room is organised to avoid clutter and is reasonably minimalist to avoid distraction or overwhelm.
Your child's room, like the kitchen, should be totally available to them, allowing them to make decisions about their own environment.
- Clothing: Keep clothing in low drawers or baskets, and lower the wardrobe rod to eye level so your child can reach it. It's also a good idea to fill your child's drawers, baskets and closet with seasonally suitable clothing to avoid situations when you have to intervene in their decision-making, such as if they want to wear a winter coat in the summer. As they grow older, they will understand when particular clothing pieces are appropriate and will have access to their entire wardrobe.Toy storage: Place toys, games, and art supplies on low shelves where your child can easily access them, then organise them into various baskets and boxes so the goods stay distinct and are easy to find without having to search through mounds of other toys.
- Bedding: For Montessori bedrooms, a floor bed is recommended to ensure that your young kid has easy access to their bed and can get in and out of it whenever they want. This layout also allows them to make their bed without difficulty.
Get your child's input on what kind of decor to put in their room. Consider their hobbies and design their space around them, such as flowers, stars and planets, or dinosaurs. A mirror in the room is useful for older children choosing garments and for babies and toddlers familiarising themselves with their own reflection.
Parents are also advised to rotate their children's toys and books every few weeks in the Montessori technique. The idea is to keep their curiosity alive and to keep them from becoming bored. Some parents may find this daunting, but the best approach to handle it is to rotate the items on your shelves based on the seasons and your child's current interests. Do they get enthralled with dinosaurs?
2. Stress Life Skills
Even very young children can help out around the house. You will prepare your child to be a compassionate, capable adult by teaching them to take care of themselves and their surroundings at a young age. This means that you may have to stop and educate your child how to properly clean the table after a meal or which cabinet to place their cups in, but their minds are so absorbent that it won't be long until they can do it on their own.
Remember to assign assignments that are appropriate for their age and aptitude. Younger children, for example, are perfectly capable of learning to water plants, feed pets, clean the table after meals, and pick up their toys. Older children can add more sophisticated duties into their routine, such as trash collection, meal preparation, and basic housekeeping. You can also have them teach your younger children at home.
3. Instruct on Concentration
Many adults believe that young children cannot concentrate, and it is true that youngsters cannot focus on something for as long as adults can. However, according to the Montessori school of thought, this is a skill that you may begin fostering in your child when they are small. You can accomplish this by recognising what they are interested in and providing them with the materials and space they require to investigate it further.
4. Concentrate on inner motivation rather than external rewards.
The Montessori approach does not believe in providing children with extrinsic rewards for good behaviour, such as stickers or candy. Although verbal praise is valued, it is crucial to deliver it sparingly. The idea is to encourage your children to embrace and seek the sensations of pleasure and pride that come from learning something new or finishing a task.
