Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. At Grace Montessori, our classrooms are beautifully crafted environments designed to meet the needs of our students’ active minds. We acknowledge that each space a child enters permits them to absorb the world around them through work with a variety of materials. We believe children make creative choices in their learning, while the environment and teachers offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process. This form of instruction is centered around the idea that by simply living, children are constantly gaining knowledge from the world around them.
There are no right or wrong ways of adding Montessori into your home. Through their five senses, children are constantly absorbing information, and by adding simple Montessori materials and skills into your environment, your children’s increased independence and confidence will motivate them to learn—even if they’re unaware they are doing so. From the playroom to their bedroom, children can express themselves through these self-directed actions in a safe, private place.
Freedom is another integral part of Montessori, even within a predetermined setting, like a playroom. Providing another prepared, child-friendly place grants children the ability to care for it themselves. By child-proofing a designated area so that your children can roam freely, you recognize their desire to explore and admire their surroundings. You can achieve this with easily accessible furniture and organized items.
Organization can be key in the Montessori lifestyle, and asking questions like “does everything have a place?” is a great way to incorporate this philosophy into your daily life. If something doesn’t have a place, consider making one for it or take it out of the room to donate or use later. Removing unwanted or unused materials is helpful because when a child is presented with a limited array of options, it will become evident which things spark their curiosity. Also, collaboratively deciding which things to remove with your children allows for them to be involved in the decision, thus providing independent practices and decision-making skills.
At Grace Montessori, we encourage students to continue practices at home because they aren’t only our students; they are children who are discovering who and what they want to be. By continuously practicing this philosophy, they’ll continually learn, grow, and thrive in any environment they encounter. To learn more about us, click here.
