It is wonderful to see how many families are embracing Montessori philosophy and bringing it into there homes. There are many blogs by moms about how this is working for them, some Montessori trained, some self-educated, and all with a unique point-of-view to share. One key element to consider when bringing Montessori home is the prepared environment.
The environment is its own “teacher/guide” for children. It is through living in a prepared environment that children learn. Each environment they experience becomes part of their education. So whether you choose to home school or not, Montessori education can be in your home. Montessori teachers strive to make their classrooms home-like, comfortable, and liveable. As I read blogs of Montessori home-schooling families, I see them describe the desire to create a classroom with in their homes. Interestingly, in Montessori philosophy, if your home is prepared for little ones to live there, you do have a workable classroom in your home, no need for an extra room. To those parents wanting to create a Montessori homeschool, I recommend seeing the whole home as the classroom.
Tips to maximize your home as an educational space:
1. Know that every space is valuable to learning. Whether it is the kitchen where you bake together or the bathroom where your child learns self care, these spaces are full of learning opportunities and they do not have to be set on a tray and described as “work” to be educational.
2. Limit the clutter. Children are constantly taking note of their surroundings. It does not serve their developing brains to be surrounded by piles of paperwork, laundry, or the many other things adults are able to ignore.
3. Allow freedom of movement and choice. When your children have access to activities such as art materials, building supplies, and books and are not told what to do and when, they are able to follow their own instincts and teach themselves. It is through this auto-education that they learn to challenge themselves, fail and repeat in order to succeed, and develop self-reliance.
4. A corner in every room. Reserve the bedrooms for sleeping and dressing and make a space in every community room in the house to invite and educate your child.
The kitchen: child sized tools and low cabinets with their dishes.
The bathroom: a basket with tooth brush and hairbrush
Family room: a small comfy chair and a basket of books Living room: toys on shelves
Don’t forget the outdoors. An often overlooked focus in Montessori education is a connection with nature…gardens, walking paths, feeding the birds, daydreaming…it’s all important and very much a part of their day.
Preparing your home this way does not mean your child will learn calculus by just being at home. Of course, as the parent, should you choose to home school, the activities you have in different areas of the home will be very carefully selected in order to make sure the right presentations are happening at the right time. For those of you not looking to homeschool, but wanting to create an educational home, you have less pressure on the particular lessons your children learn. None the less, it is important to keep you home tidy, organized, and rich in opportunity.
This week to celebrate the launch of Family Friendly home, we have partnered with Little Partners to offer a Giveaway not to be missed.
This week we will give away their
Tri-Side Learn & Play Art Center!
You have many chances to win, just follow the Rafflecopter link below and register. Then check back next week and and register again! Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
