Montessori in the Home

Hamilton Park Montessori SchoolFebruary 15th, 2012Bridge, EC and EL Staff

   “While not every teacher is a parent, every parent is a teacher. The mission that we’ve undertaken is not simply to feed, cuddle and protect our children. We will also need to teach them to become independent, self-confident, successful adults, who are happy and fulfilled in their lives.”

   -Tim Seldin

President of The Montessori Foundation

Dr. Montessori viewed the child as a member of a family, not as an isolated individual, and one whose most formative life experiences take place within the family. She recognized the parents as a child's first and most influential teachers.

As a parent you: are a role model and teacher prepare your child’s home set the limits support, encourage and inspire your child

The Sensitive Periods for Learning At birth:

Movement Language

At age 1: Small objects Toileting (18 mos.)

At age 2: Order Music Grace and Courtesy Senses

At age 3 to 6: Writing Reading Spatial Relationships Mathematics

Make Your Home Child-friendly! Organize your home to

help your child become more independent and self-confident Always keep health and

safety in mind! Open storage, low

shelving, baskets, hooks, etc.

Consider the size of furniture, utensils, etc. and adapt your home to your child as he/she

grows.

Design a home that conveys a sense of beauty and order Bright, colorful, clean

and orderly Artwork hung low on the

walls Toys kept on shelves or

organized in baskets Rugs or mats to define

his/her space

Child-sized furniture Living room or play room storage

Bedroom is bright, clean and orderly

Stool and mirror = independence

Sensory Awareness Exercising children’s

senses by drawing attention to aspects of everyday life or through specific sensorial activities can greatly improve their awareness

Children learn what they live!

Stimulation of the senses boosts brainpower by strengthening neural pathways essential to proper functioning

Sensory Activities Bridge/Early Childhood:

Sorting objects Stacking blocks Puzzles Matching paint swatches Mystery bag Trying different foods

Introduce the concepts of taste e.g.: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami

Elementary: Memory game Musical instruments/

listening to music Jigsaw puzzles Trying different foods

Pay close attention to the taste of certain foods!

Independence

Greatest drive of a young child

Children who feel respected and competent develop a greater sense of emotional well-being

Teach the skill itself, but also help your child to develop calmness, concentration, cooperation, self-discipline, and self-reliance

Also teaches self-awareness, sensitivity to others and service to the community

“The essence of independence is to be able to do something for one’s self. Such experience is not just play. It is work children must do in order to grow up.”

-Maria Montessori

Life Lessons!3 areas:

Care of him/herself Everyday tasks Grace and courtesy

Remember: Size is important - scale to

child Use the real thing Break down steps Order Labels help (use photographic

ones if your child isn’t reading yet)

Practical storage Defined area for work/play Pride of ownership Control-of-error (self-

correction) Beauty and harmony

Care of SelfTo give children the tools they need to become self-sufficient…

Elementary:o Pack luncho Collect belongings for

school each nighto Carry personal belongings

to and from school and other activities

o Keep personal spaces cleano Pick out clothes each dayo Take care of personal

hygieneo Set up a system for

completing homework

Bridge/Early Childhood:o Using a fauceto Washing handso Toileting o Brushing teeth and hairo Bathingo Dressing independently

(including buttons, snaps and zippers!)

o Tying shoeso Pouring drinks and

preparing snackso Feeding him/herself

Everyday TasksTo emphasize being a contributing member of the home community…

o Sweepingo Setting/clearing the tableo Washing disheso Helping with grocery shoppingo Unpacking/putting away

grocerieso Sorting/folding laundryo Keeping bedroom and

bathroom cleano Taking out the garbageo Sorting recyclables o Dusting/vacuumingo Watering plantso Caring for family pets

Benefits of CookingTo take advantage of the educational aspects of an everyday task…

o Teaches independence, safety, skills with kitchen tools, and how to handle specific ingredients.

o Sharing the joy and benefits of preparing and eating a healthy meal together creates a bond that cannot be taught in any other way!

Bridge/Early Childhood:o Specific skills (pouring,

cutting, spooning, mixing, etc.)

o Measuremento Sequence of stepso Vocabularyo Grace and courtesyElementary:o Reading practiceo Familiarity with recipe

formato Practice of measurement

skillso Practice of fractionso Following directionso Organizational skills

Grace and Courtesyo Saying, “please”, “thank you”

and “you’re welcome”o Table mannerso Using a kind tone when speakingo Asking for a turno Introducing him/herselfo How to open/close doorso What to do when you have to

cough or sneezeo Giving complimentso Allowing others to pass or go firsto Saying “excuse me” if you bump

into someoneo Responding politelyo Learning to waito Learning not to interrupt or how

to do it politelyo Answering the telephone

Take Control of the TV Establish family ground

rules regarding viewing and then stick to them Determine which shows

are appropriate and then let children choose

Limit time Be mindful of messages

(violence, mature content) Television watching is

hypnotic (doesn’t usually require any thought, imagination or effort) Watch with your children

and have discussions afterwards

Make Time for DiscoveryProjects and family outings provide opportunities to enjoy each other…

Ideas:o Visit and explore the public

library, museum, zoo or farmo Listen to a concerto Have a picnic at the parko Volunteer at a local shelter or

charityo Take an art, music or cooking

classo Go for a bike rideo Take a hike through the woods or

a camping tripo Start a family gardeno Make your own nature museum

or do an experimento Make a movie o Write a storyo Enjoy unscheduled time!

Slow down Remember that your

child’s world is a slower pace, up close, and low to the ground.

Learn by doing Children love to be outdoors

For Your EnjoymentBooks We Recommend:o How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way, by

Tim Seldino Positive Discipline for Preschoolers, by Jane Nelsono Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, by Dr.

Angeline Lillard

Blogs We Recommend:o Sew Liberated

http://sewliberated.typepad.com/o How We Montessori

http://howwemontessori.typepad.com/