At first, this whole Montessori method of parenting thing can seem overwhelming. Where do you start? There are too many sources over the internet, in stores, schools, on the street and in your neighbourhood. You start asking yourself who you trust the most.

How do you start is the next on your list. All these little details, all these little chapters – ugh, they’re frustrating! You know you’re supposed to stay calm, so keep breathing and let’s learn the very basics of the Montessori method. Let’s see where’s the start line.

Getting started…

What is your “why”? Do you want to raise an emotionally intelligent human who knows his worth and his boundaries? Do you want to create that special bond between your child and you while following and teaching him without being his leader?

You want to raise an explorer whose love for learning is not forced but natural. You want to raise a wonderful human who will change the world. If that’s the case, then you’re on the right path, my friend.

Fun fact! Did you know that Google Founder Larry Page attended Montessori until age 6, and co-founder Sergey Brin attended a Montessori school? They both swear by the Montessori method being the key to their successes.

Just in case you were still wondering about whether it is worth it or not, did the two success stories convinced you yet? Great. Now, about the Montessori method itself.

Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activities, where the teacher follows a child’s current interests and let him learn them and explore through them. However, a teacher focuses not only on the intellectual development of a child but on emotional, social and physical development as well.

It helps children grow independence and love for learning. The founder, Maria Montessori said that “the child works in order to grow, and is working to create the adult, the person that is to be”. Therefore, it’s of high importance to work with your little ones while they are still kids.

The Montessori principles

When I started practising Montessori with my child, this is where I felt stuck for such a long time. Like, there are mixed opinions on the principles, and there are too many of them. So, which one do we follow? Although the variations are totally up to you, here are some basic principles you can start implementing today.

1 Freedom within limits

Remember that this kind of parenting and learning is based on self-directed activities. Therefore, whether your child wants to wear an orange t-shirt with green pants and red shoes or choose math over language every day – let him do that.

By giving them the freedom to express themselves, you teach your kids to respect themselves and others. You also support independence and create a healthy attitude towards learning. However, as the line “freedom within limits” says, that doesn’t mean kids do whatever they want.

There are limits you must set and follow, and there are healthy options you give that they can choose from. You are not supposed to be a leader, but you must guide them.

2 Observation is as important

A couple of days ago, a mom asked me what can she do to make her son develop a passion for learning like in my son’s. I sensed right away that she was all about teaching her kid the facts, having someone she could show off.

“First of all, there’s nothing you can do to make your kid develop a passion for anything” – I said. “Although you can make them do anything with bribing or punishing, I wouldn’t suggest you go there. If you choose to parent this way, you live no space for passion and you ruin a chance of creating the special bond between the two of you.”

Then, I gave her the only advice she needed. “Observe your kid. If he like cars, provide matching activities with his car toys. He is into climbing and running around? Let him collect all the letters you ask for. Make it fun. Follow your child. Be a Montessorian.”

3 Learning through play

Play is the work of the child.

Maria Montessori

Children have a natural thing for learning. They learned to walk, talk, play. Now they want to learn more. Provide all kinds of Montessori-inspired toys for learning and make games according to your kid’s current interest. Here are some of our favourite learning Montessori toys!

Children really enjoy hands-on learning activities or otherwise called experimental activities. Make a volcano by mixing baking soda, apple cider vinegar and red colour. Talk (or read) about volcanoes while you’re having fun. See how easy it is?

Paint with a hairbrush, use toilet paper rolls for all kinds of crafts. Create an analogue clock with paper plant and learn while singing “What’s the time, Mr Wolf”. Visit a farm and ask someone to talk about the life cycle of a chicken. There are plenty of ways to have fun and learn!

If your kid is a bookworm like mine, they you can engage in activities from this book together.

4 Prepared environment.

Freedom of movement is important because it allows children to become independent. Independent children are self-conscious, confident, happy. It’s essential to have a safe play area, access to kid-friendly kitchen tools, water and healthy snacks, a toilet, and many other things.

Do you have to be wealthy to be able to approach the Montessori method of parenting? It’s a common question people ask. And it’s a myth. There are no limits from where you can start if you are willing to do it. Here are some things to consider changing.

First of all, your kid’s playroom should be clutter-free (the kid’s mess is brilliant tho!). It should have structure and everything should be in its place. There should be enough space for him to move around freely, and there should be enough toys for him to explore, learn and have fun while playing independently.

It’s not only important to make it easy on the eye by keeping it simple, but it’s of high importance to make it beautiful as well. Keep tranquillity, harmony and not too many colours in your mind while choosing the decor details.

Choose natural materials like wood, metal, cotton and glass for toys, storage and equipment. It’s ok not to want to throw away those plastic blocks your child loves. But overall, synthetics or plastics are not the most popular among the Montessori method.

I would always suggest thetot.com shop to my readers. They sell beautiful eco-friendly, non toxic, kid-friendly, high-quality products.

5 Practical life

The last principle I’d like us to focus on together is practical life activities. When we help our kids practice these activities, we provide the foundation for the Montessori method. We don’t do them instead of the kids, and we don’t let them go through it alone, especially if they’re struggling.

These activities contribute to the control and coordination of movement and concentration. Consider practising some of them with your kid today. Let him pour water on his own, cut the banana and top it with PB and honey. Help him water plants or pick up leaves in the garden.

It will develop two great mindsets in your kids, to take care of themselves and take care of the environment. The Montessori method is all about raising kids who are happily growing their intelligence, focusing on self-awareness and nature-awareness.

Anyways,

Until next time, here are my favourite three books on the method from Amazon I recommend: The Montessori Toddler, Montessori for Every Family, and The Montessori Baby.