My own Montessori journey started 3 years ago when I entered my first Montessori classroom when Aliyana was 6 months old. I have to admit that the beautiful prepared environment captivated me first. Everything was laid out in a way that was inviting and encouraged children to touch and explore activities. The teacher who was and still is working with us, Christie Stanford spoke to the children with such respect and treated them like tiny grown ups in ways I never thought my daughter would ever understand but I was quickly proven wrong. If you follow my insta-stories, you’ll see that Aliyana learned to get her own water, set a table, prepare snacks and do basic tidy/cleaning all by the age of 18 months. This was all possible because these tools were all made available to her.
Over the last few years, I’ve grown to become really passionate and invested in Montessori education, these thoughtfully prepared learning environments that are beautiful and inviting create rich experiences for our children when they are first starting to learn. Age 0-3 isn’t about academics at all and how they learn to interact with the world around them will help guide them for the rest of their lives. Did you know that 80% of a child’s brain is developed by the age of 3?
Maybe there is something you’re struggling with implementing at home and looking for some guidance or you might be interested in learning how you can incorporate Montessori in your home, you’re in the right place.
Here are 3 tools to get you started on creating a better environment for your children.
1. Allow Children To Take Part In Daily Life Activities.
Aliyana loves more than anything is to help me around the house. If she can’t physically do what I’m doing, such as vacuuming, she’ll be pushing her ‘Push Toy’ around while I’m doing it. When I’m doing laundry, I’ll let her load while I’m taking out stains. When I’m preparing food, I’ll let her wash and peel small vegetables (with her toddler peeler). When I include her in activities, I never have to turn on the TV because she’s so focused on the task at hand. With that said, I am no miracle worker and there ARE times when the TV needs to be turned on (usually when I have to get some work done). I choose shows like Daniel the Tiger and Max & Ruby, I avoid Paw Patrol in every way possible. We can get into that conversation another day.
2. Simplify Our Homes
This is where Marie Kondo x Montessori meets. I’ve never heard of Marie Kondo until all the media buzz and when I did, I immediately thought it was a match made in heaven. I wish I could show you the clutter and junk I’ve accumulated pre baby but when Aliyana entered Montessori, my life was forever changed. I wanted our home to reflect that of what she experienced in school. I realized that keeping things simpler in the home means less stuff to pack away, less toys to find a home for and Aliyana can easily choose and concentrate better. I suggest spending money on good storage solutions vs. on flashy toys. This way, everything has a place and a place for everything.
3. Help Kids Be Independent
Teaching children to be independent was one of the first things I noticed in the Montessori classroom. Low hooks and benches for them to take on/off their shoes and hang up their coats, low tables and chairs that children can sit in on their own and maybe even a small water jug where they can get their own water. When children are given the opportunity, they are 100% capable of doing things for themselves, in turn their self-esteem grows!
If you have any questions at all, feel free to email me or send me a DM!
