Take care of the child through actions that follow a slow execution time, not saturated with words and explanations, in a simple, orderly and intelligible domestic environment, are certainly the winning ingredients to encourage the autonomy of the baby even at home
It is not correct to think about the Montessori method As a simple teaching practice or a catalog of activities to be proposed to children, or a line of furniture for children. Deciding, as a teacher or parent, to apply the Montessori method means first of all to educate their gaze on childhood and accepting to abandon the role of authoritarian guide To embark on the path of humility and patience.
Sometimes you make the mistake of wanting to reproduce in home A miniature Montessori school, complete with angles of interest, materials such as the pink tower, the spoles of colors, the chopped letters. But, unless the child frequent any school, Apply the Montessori method at home It does not mean reproducing all this to perfection; Regardless of the Montessori method, parents must live their role by educating children autonomy and independencepatience and respect, good manners and kindness, manual precision, concentration.
How to translate all this among the four walls of the house? Allowing children to participate in domestic life. So get used to setting the table, redoing the bed, pruning the hedge, knead the gnocchi, wash the windows and teaching them the importance of knowing how to apologize to the neighbor.
How to follow the Montessori method at home?
Howso, Can the Montessori method be applied at home? We take inspiration from those who, the famous method, created it, namely Maria Montessori, who developed her thoughts and writings starting from a careful, long and meticulous observation work. In the same way, if the adult observes the child acting in the environment, he can grasp his “questions” – at the beginning of the life placed through behavior and, later, through words – and then implementing solutions and strategies that allow the child to feel listened to, free to express themselves and manifest themselves, to perceive themselves safe, peaceful and satisfied.
To give an example, a 16 month old child puts objects inside a box tells us that he is working, unconsciously, to improvement of its fine manual skillsso a 4 -year -old boy who wishes to pour the water into the glass asks us for autonomy to deal with himself.
Certainly among the main characteristics of the Montessori method we find the desire to grow Independent and autonomous childrenalways respecting themselves, others and the environment. In order for this to happen it is essential that the child meets in his environment spaces and times to its measure And a humble and patient adult, aware of not having regardless of the answers but certainly having to grow himself in his parental role, thanks to listening to his child.
How to organize the house for the autonomy of the child
How can we organize the house To welcome the child? Often parents make choices that concern the domestic environment even before the child is born, and this is not only understandable but, in part, also shareable: the neutrality and the simplicity in the furniturein lighting and materials can be a good starting point. After that, however, it is necessary to make the environment suitable for the needs of the child and the entire family unit.
But how do you create a bedroom according to the Montessori method? And to organize the bathroom with the Montessori method? There are no unique and indisputable solutions, But functional furnishing strategies to encourage autonomy at home.
The low bedraised from the ground of a few centimeters and usable from the first months, it can certainly encourage the autonomy of movement and approach to the rest area. In the bathon the other hand, a space furnished with everything you need for personal hygiene will allow the little one to wash your teeth and everything else in an independent form, obviously as soon as it feels ready and eager to do it.
It is a type of organization, this, that It is good to propose soon – if possible already starting from the first year of age -, always considering that we cannot know precisely when the child will want to become “protagonist” of the procedures concerning self -care: the times are not the same for everyone, but certainly a structured environment will be able to encourage him first towards all this.
In the manage the rooms of the house with the Montessori methodwe could then ask ourselves:
- How to fix the furniture so that my daughter/my son see and can achieve and use what/him needs?
- What speed do I have to use in my care actions so that it makes them your own?
Curated actions that follow a Slow execution timenot saturated with words and explanations, in a simple environmentordered and intelligible, are certainly the winning ingredients.
Books to apply the Montessori method at home
Here a child lives And All free autonomypublished by Uppa, lead the parent in the observation of their child – and in identifying the characters that unite him to all other children – to understand their training and growth path.
The proposal of Some environmental solutionsThe for each room will help the parent to choose how to arrange the furniture, what attention to ensure to ensure the safety and encourage the autonomy of the baby and what activities can be imagined within the spaces of the house.
