Last Updated: October 22, 2024 | Mama’s Shell
Are you a new parent considering implementing a Montessori lifestyle with your toddler? Yet you don’t know how to start or which things you should learn first. High five! You’re not alone. I was in your shoes too. I taught myself everything about Montessori, and I’m still continuously trying to implement those learnings with my toddler in our daily life.
This article covers 10 key principles to help you start Montessori at home and confidently guide your child’s development. These principles will keep you focused and prevent you from going off track. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
Let the Child Lead
The key Montessori principle is “Follow the Child.” I’ve found that when I follow my child, every problem seems easier to solve because children’s activities and expressions are clear and purposeful.
Whenever they are playing, follow their interest. Just organise the shelf and let them choose an activity. The activity should be challenging—neither too easy nor too hard. If it’s new to them, first give them “a presentation” by showing the activity step by step. Then, let them do it by themselves. If they get stuck and become frustrated, step in, but try to help as little as possible. Give them the space to practice.
Let Them Work as Long as They Need
Imagine you’re working on a project, and your boss constantly pushes you to finish as quickly as possible. You would feel pressured, right? The same applies to toddlers. When they are mastering an activity, don’t rush them. Let them take their time and encourage repetition. This practice increases their concentration and keeps them focused.
Even a simple comment can break their concentration, leading to frustration. Follow the child, and whenever they look to you for feedback, that’s the right time to communicate.
Avoid Quizzing
Did you know toddlers answer more quizzes than adults? We constantly ask them, “What is this?” “What is the name of that thing?” “What is the color of this dress?” “How many cats did you see?” and so on. I used to do this too. However, I was surprised to learn that quizzing is not the best way to help them understand their surroundings.
Here’s why: If you ask, “What’s the colour of a banana?” the question has only one right answer. If the child says “red” instead of “yellow,” correcting them immediately can harm their confidence. Instead, name the colour repeatedly with spaced repetition. When you sense your child is confident, then ask questions to stimulate curiosity. Follow the child’s learning pace—it’s okay if they give the wrong answer sometimes. Help them understand the concept in various contexts over time.
Put the Activity Back When Finished
When a toddler finishes an activity, show them how to tidy up. Encourage them to put the activity back on the shelf. For example, in the case of a coin box, you both can put the coins back in the basket. Let your toddler carry the coin box while you carry the basket back to the shelf.
They may not do this regularly, and that’s okay. Encourage the habit by modelling it yourself. Break the task down into fun, simple steps to involve your toddler.
Model All the Time
Children learn best by observing us. Every task we do is a learning opportunity for them. Perform daily tasks in the simplest way possible so they can easily imitate. For instance, carry a bowl with two hands or pour water into a glass by holding the glass with one hand. Your child will absorb these small actions over time.
Allow Them to Explore
Every child has their own unique way of exploring activities. Don’t limit or correct them unless necessary. As long as they are not harming themselves or the materials, let them experiment. For example, if your child puts her books under her pillow, let her do it. Later, at a neutral moment, show her that books belong on the shelf.
If the child is harming herself, others, or objects, you should step in. For example, if your child is hitting, say, “I can’t let you hit me because it hurts. Instead, you can hit this pillow to let out your anger.”
Adjust Activities to Their Level
If an activity is too difficult, adjust it to match your child’s skill level. For instance, if your child struggles to match a shape puzzle, provide an easier one, like a puzzle with different-sized circles. Offer challenges that are achievable but still push their development.
Arrange Activities from Easiest to Hardest
Organise activities on the shelf from easiest to hardest, left to right. This way, your child will start with a task they can accomplish easily and gradually work up to more challenging activities.
Source Activities Based on Availability
Montessori toys on Amazon are tempting, but not always budget-friendly. You don’t need to buy everything from a Montessori store. DIY activities from household materials can work just as well. For example, make a coin box out of a cardboard mug box, or use dried pasta and a shoelace for threading. When it comes to DIY, the sky’s the limit!
Supervise with Care
Many Montessori activities involve small parts, so it’s essential to observe your child to ensure they are safe. Supervision allows you to step in if needed but also lets your child explore freely within a safe environment.
Most of these principles are not difficult to remember. However, if you forget some of them, just focus on the first principle: “Follow the Child.” If you observe your child closely, all other things will naturally fall into place.
