Montessori at Home

“Education is a natural process carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiences in the environment.” 

—Maria Montessori

Encouraging order, independence, and self-motivation is fundamental to the Montessori approach. At school, carefully designed classrooms allow students to develop competence in caring for themselves and their surroundings. 

You can prepare your home in similar ways.

Create order.

Change clutter to clean.  Have a place where everything belongs and is consistently kept. An ordered environment also has fewer distractions, allowing children to focus on the task at hand.

Make the home comfortable and beautiful.

Montessori classroom environments are beautiful and well-maintained, inviting the learner to come in and work. Natural lighting, soft colors, and order set the stage for activity that is focused and calm. 

Provide a place for solitude and concentration. 

Is there a place where your child can find quiet and solitude in your home?  This might be a special “hidden from view” place where they can be alone with their thoughts and imagination. It could also be a special table or desk where they can concentrate on his work without distraction.  Involve your child in creating places of solitude in your home.

Accept help from your child.

Children like to be a part of adult work. Even though sometimes it seems easier and faster to do it by ourselves, look for ways in which you can include your child in the work of the home.