How to apply the Montessori method at home

The Montessori method is a type of pedagogical teaching that was created by María Montessori, an educator, psychologist and pedagogue who spent more than five decades analyzing the behavior of children and their method of learning. Currently, this method has become a whole philosophy of education and is followed by millions of people around the world. It is based on respecting the nature of the child and trusting the development of their abilities without intervening in them, without prohibiting or limiting.

The adult will have to supervise his learning but leave the greatest possible freedom to the child to follow the internal drives and, thus, be true to his own curious nature. In this article we are going to tell you how to apply the Montessori method at home so that parents can also create an ideal environment for the little one to develop optimally and show their skills.

What is the Montessori method - simple explanation

Before discovering how you can apply the Montessori method at home, it is important that we stop to describe what this method consists of, since in this way we can know the bases of this educational philosophy.

The Montessori method was created by the Italian doctor Maria Montessori who developed a pedagogical method designed to install it, mainly, in the classroom. However, currently the teachings of the doctor have been extrapolated to the field, also, family and therefore the precepts can be applied at home.

To better understand what this pedagogical method is based on, we will now analyze the two basic principles on which it is based.

The order and discipline

According to the Montessori method, children are not contrary to order or discipline, but rather the opposite happens: in their purest nature, infants seek and appreciate that there is order and discipline in their lives.

The doctor analyzed for 50 years the behavior of children in the classroom to find out their natural drives and eliminate social influences that could be in the attitude of children. This is how this finding was found: children love order and discipline naturally.

What parents or educators should do is avoid interpreting the child's behavior from an adult perspective since, of course, the child acts like a child . Therefore, we will have to relearn in order to educate our children well.

The importance of stimulation for learning

Another of the principles on which the Montessori method is built is to consider that each child will learn in their own way and, for that, we will have to promote the appropriate stimuli for each infant. Not all children are equal, nor their interests are the same, therefore, we must develop a personalized and individualized education that will make you learn naturally, without pressure or over-effort.

For this reason, the Montessori method recommends that both teachers and parents offer different stimuli to the child so that he can choose the one he prefers to develop; in this way, we will be giving it great freedom and letting it be guided by its internal impulses.

Here comes into play the importance of the environment because it must be prepared so that the choice is what you really want. If a correct atmosphere is achieved, the child will be able to choose the activities that he really wants and build his own method of learning. Of course: it is essential that, along with him, there is also the figure of an adult to supervise and offer different educational activities.

Thus, the Montessori method is a type of practice that focuses on giving the child the opportunities that will help him get involved in his own education and the development of skills that he himself will have chosen. An education inspired by the freedom and confidence that the adult should prostrate on the child.

Tips for applying the Montessori method at home

As we have already indicated, the Montessori method was created to be applied in the classroom. However, today there are many parents who want to know how to apply the Montessori method at home to, thus, contribute to a different and beneficial education for their child.

If you want to start using the practices of the doctor, then we are going to give you a series of essential tips that you must take into account before getting down to work.

The importance of empathizing with your child

It is essential that, in order to perform the Montessori method satisfactorily, you put aside your perspective as an adult and as a parent and try to put yourself in the shoes of your child. Try to feel as he does and, thus, you will be able to better understand his reality and identify what can be in his day to day that leads to frustration or boredom.

Detects problems and acts

Once you have determined what may be the problems that block your child's learning, it is important that you start to change them (as much as possible) to make life easier for the child. For example, if the problem detected is that you have stairs at home, the solution may be to install a small door or fence that prevents the child from falling or hurting himself. See the impediments that exist in your environment and solve them as soon as possible, with this, you will favor the life and development of the child .

Determine your goals with the Montessori method

Another of the essential points to be able to apply the Montessori method at home is that you determine what is the objective you want to achieve with this type of learning. Do you want your child to be more independent? Do you want to emphasize the teachings of the school? Do you want me to be happier? Depending on the objectives you want to achieve when using this method, you must buy educational materials or it will not be necessary.

Trust your son

Another of the tips to apply the Montessori method at home is to trust your child, leave aside that super protective facet that all parents have and allow them to make a mistake . If you limit it constantly, if you restrict its freedom of choice, in the end you are preventing it from developing naturally. In addition, there is no better learning than the binomial test-error, therefore, do not deprive it.

Remove the word "No"

Instead of forbidding the child to investigate and play with things from home because they can be dangerous, recommended by this method is to talk to the child, try to understand why you should not touch that object. The "No" is an authoritative word, which is imposed on the will of the child and who restrains him. Instead of denying it, lead by example and have the child take inspiration from you to develop his qualities.

3 activities of the Montessori method to do at home

Below we will discover some activities to apply the Montessori method at home and allow your child to grow up in an environment with love, respect and autonomy, essential factors so that he can develop freely and as his instinct really asks.

Establish a play corner

That the child has a home zone enabled for him, for his curiosity and games is essential. This zone will have to contain furniture adapted to its height and the games will also have to be accessible for them because, thus, they will not require the help of an adult to be able to develop. Fill this area with games but avoid stacking them, create something like a "path" of games for the child to go through and doing one activity after another without abandoning the first change.

Games with different materials

It is also recommended that the child be stimulated sensory and, for this, the Montessori method recommends that you become familiar with different materials such as wood, cloth, etc., so that they can better understand their environment and receive information about the world.

Home tasks adapted for children

Another of the activities included in this pedagogical method is to promote the nature of order and discipline that we have discussed in the first section. In this sense, you can leave it to hand baskets for toys and, thus, you can favor the routine of order that they have in an intrinsic way. You can also leave objects of their size so they can get involved in household chores such as, for example, a small lawnmower designed to care for plants.

Above all, in order to apply the Montessori method at home, it is important that parents relax, avoid this controlling and authoritarian attitude and, failing that, collaborate as mere spectators and role models. In this sense it should be noted that you do not have to punish or reward the child, the behavior is not rewarded, the child has to carry out the activities for the satisfaction he gets with them and not to get something with it (a prize or punishment) .