Are you intimidated by Montessori materials or concerned that you should own specific, expensive items to implement Montessori at home? Don’t fret! Montessori is designed to teach children independence and guide them in their development, and though certain materials can be beneficial for some children, they are not required. After all, Montessori is a lifestyle. Inspiring children to learn through self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play is what matters most — no matter how you decide to use it!
At Grace Montessori, we believe in teaching our students practical life skills that they can carry with them into adulthood. From a young age, children’s absorbent minds are in full motion, soaking in all of the information around them. A routine and inviting environment allows them to explore freely and meet their needs, with no spending required. Some examples of activities that aid in strengthening practical life skills are cooking, gardening, cleaning, and getting dressed. These tasks encourage confidence building while helping hone fine motor skills and are very engaging and enjoyable for young minds.
To incorporate some tangible Montessori materials at home, there are many ways to create them at little to no cost. Additionally, making Montessori toys—which are referred to as ‘work’ within the Montessori method—doubles as a Montessori activity through creating and using everyday practical life skills. With crafts and household objects, adults and children can make models, games, and materials that will encourage engagement and curiosity.
An example of an easy Montessori activity is filling a box with rice and hiding coins or small figures inside. With this game, children discover what’s buried within the box and can add their own trinkets as well. This activity is especially great for defining fine motor skills. Additionally, Montessori work can be found at consignment or thrift stores, and simply going to the store is a great way to practice Montessori. In these environments, children can lead the way to what interests them most. Then, when in the checkout line, they can use a practical life skill by counting correct change.
Montessori is a fun, encouraging, and beneficial style of learning that can be achieved in many ways. Both inside and outside of the classroom, in a playroom, or traversing throughout the backyard, children express their creativity, use critical-thinking skills to navigate their surroundings, and practice social awareness. It’s easy to get caught up in the picture-perfect Montessori lifestyle, but it’s important to remember that every child, and their learning methods, are different. As long as they have encouragement and imagination, incorporating Montessori into their life is easy and won’t hurt your wallet.
To learn more about Montessori and how we use this method both inside and outside of the classroom, schedule a tour with us here.
