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Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori method, once said this: “To assist a child, we must provide [them] with an environment which will enable [them] to develop freely.” The idea that children need space to grow is one of the most fundamental Montessori teachings. It is the reason why classrooms in Montessori schools in PA and beyond are alive with energy yet calm and contained. You can do the same for your home.

Here are 5 simple tips to make your home more Montessori:

Empowerment is Key

The one thing any household can do is give their child the tools for independence and self-confidence. By empowering your child with small tasks and responsibilities, they will feel more satisfied and fulfilled. For example, you can make them a space that is theirs to take care of, as in keeping organized and clean. Give them shelves or a cabinet in the kitchen where they can keep their eating and drinking utensils. Let them prepare their own snacks, wash their own hands, and select their own toys to play with.

One important thing to keep in mind: messes are going to happen. But you can use those messes for empowerment as well. By keeping cleaning supplies close by—rags and sponges—you can teach your child two things. First, if they spill something, they learn cause-and-effect. Then, they learn how to clean something up by themselves.

Bring the Outdoors In

Maria Montessori also said that “the child must live in an environment of beauty.” Nothing is as beautiful as the natural world with all its splendors. And when a child has a chance to be a part of that world, they thrive.

Aside from creating a garden space outdoors where children can dig in the dirt and care for blossoming vegetables, put houseplants throughout your home. One or two easy-to-care-for plants on the windowsill not only brighten up a room, but they add another element of responsibility.

Your child can water the plant and maintain it as it grows. You can teach them how to re-pot the plant once it’s grown big enough.

Here are some hard-to-kill houseplants that your child will love:

Zebra Haworthia

Spider Plant

Aloe Vera

Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe)

Chinese Evergreen

Jade Plant

Umbrella Tree

Declutter and Limit Toys

A lot of people wince when they see the word “declutter,” because it means you have to sift through everything you have gathered throughout the years. But, it does help to remove clusters of items from sight. You don’t even have to worry about the entire house. As long as there is one decluttered space with a simplified layout, you can teach your child that “less is more.”

Put only a couple of their toys on easily accessible shelves. Choose only what your child currently enjoys the most. Observe how they play then begin to rotate toys in and out. Avoid giving them a limitless treasure trove. Plus, your child will spend more time with each item they have, building their concentration.

But you also need to set an example. You, as the adult, are an integral piece of the prepared environment. That means that you must also work on your spaces. Label drawers and cupboards. Throw out or donate old clothing you no longer wear. Remove any extra utensils in the kitchen you don’t need (you obviously don’t need 12 can openers and several peelers).

Not only does this make it easier to organize your home, but it makes it easier to be responsible. Children are more willing to put things into their proper place when that spot is clearly visible.

Give Them Books

Reading is an excellent way to teach children about the world. Keep books available throughout the house. You can provide your child with multiple options, but make sure you have books that develop their personal interests further. For example, if your child is currently invested in dinosaurs, give them reading material about their favorite one.

Seasonal books about holidays and history can be kept in the living room.

Informational books can be kept in a basket in the bathroom.

Keep some books in the car so that your child is entertained during long drives.

Cookbooks in the kitchen can inspire children to try new foods or even attempt a recipe.

Keep Everything as Natural as Possible

You may have the urge to decorate the house and your child’s room with bright colors and fantastical images. But that could be overstimulating. Instead, opt for a calming environment. Make the walls a neutral color, such as an off-white, gray, or light browns and tans. Choose more natural items over plastics. This is true for the kid’s room as well as décor around the house. Opt for beautiful pieces of artwork (inexpensive prints, posters, and even your own pieces) rather than cartoon posters for children’s spaces.

Wrapping Up

Bringing Montessori into your home is as easy as organizing the space and making it more accessible to smaller individuals. You can implement these ideas in your home as soon as today. Remember to go slow with the change, as to not overwhelm your family. With that, you will have a home environment that promotes development and supports your child’s interests.

Searching for Montessori schools near me? Look no further! If you have questions, get in touch with us at Fishtown Montessori. We can answer all your questions about the Montessori method and more. Call us at 215-821-1455 or send us a message.

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Toddlers and tantrums. You can’t have one without the other. Since toddlers use tantrums as a way to process what they are feeling, you can expect your toddler to shout and cry more to communicate what they are feeling. Emotions like anger, sadness, excitement, and confusion can all trigger tantrums.

There is a Montessori way of handling tantrums both at home and in public. Today, we are going to give you some tips to make dealing with temper tantrums easier.

What are Tantrums and Why Do They Happen?

The technical definition of a temper tantrum is “an expression of frustration by a child who is prevented from demonstrating unconstrained action.” Tantrums may involve behaviors like head-banging, breath-holding, screaming, flailing limbs, and rolling on the ground.

Although tantrums can happen in older children and even with some adults, they are most common between 18 months to 3 years old, during a stage of development when children desire control. It’s a roller coaster for parents to deal with, because tantrums can be set off for any number of reasons.

Handling Tantrums at Home

Whenever a tantrum begins at home, you can just ride the roller coaster to the end. The main strategy here is to let your child feel their feelings and to show them that such emotions are neither overwhelming or frightening. Showing a child that they can emote in such a way is important to their mental and emotional health.

Here is how you send such a powerful message:

1. Be patient and present

As your child throws their tantrum, sit with them on the floor. Do not talk or touch them right away. Just look at them. Let them know you are there. If you touch them too quickly, you risk overstimulating them, and they will be unable to hear you over their roaring emotions.

Do not try to end the tantrum early, either. Just watch and stay calm. Make sure your child feels safe.

2. Never rush a tantrum

As mentioned above, it is important to let the tantrum run its full course at home, no matter how inconvenient that may seem. If your child cannot get all the emotions out, another tantrum will most likely happen in public.

Again, be as calm as possible, even if you are short on time. The tantrum will pass.

3. Acknowledge their feelings

You will soon see that the tantrum is diminishing. The tears are drying, and your child seems to have lost their energy (even if they are still thrashing a little). At this time, you can show them that you are willing to comfort them by opening your arms or patting your lap.

When they decide to calm down or snuggle with you, it is time to discuss what happened. As a parent using Montessori methods, you will know that observation is key. Note why the tantrum happened and say something like, “You felt angry when I told you to put your toys away.” Perhaps the tears will flow again, and that’s fine.

It’s important that you name what the child feels and that they understand what happened. Touch on the emotion then let it pass.

Handling Tantrums in Public

Ideally, all tantrums would happen at home, where you or your spouse or an older child can sit with the raging toddler until the storm passes. However, that is probably not going to be the case. Dealing with a tantrum in public can be hectic and embarrassing, especially when others are staring at you and your toddler.

If you are fine with sitting with your child throughout the tantrum, then you probably don’t need to switch up your strategy. But if you get flustered, there is another approach.

1. Assess what’s happening

As soon as the rumblings of a tantrum begin, stop what you are doing and assess the situation. Is the tantrum just beginning? Can you distract them? Are they willing to go somewhere safe? Take a calming breath and figure out the next step. Remember: you need to be a role model for your child, so don’t freak out. Don’t ignore them. And don’t get angry with them.

2. Find a comfortable spot

If the tantrum is full-blown and can’t be curbed immediately, find someplace private, such as the parking lot or the restroom, where you can sit. The key to this is not to do it with exasperation. Even if you are angry, don’t show it. Don’t tell your child that they’re being ridiculous or ruining the day. This will only add to their upset emotions.

Instead, tell your child that you are going somewhere where you can sit together and relax.

3. Use a distraction—for now

While distracting a child away from their tantrum is not recommended when you are at home, sometimes you won’t have that choice while in public. Should the tantrum be in its early stages, you may be able to redirect your toddler’s attention to something else. For example, if your child is throwing a tantrum in the grocery store, you could ask them to help you find something or if they want to help you choose ingredients for dinner.

Giving them an element of control could rein in their emotions temporarily. Keep in mind that, because the tantrum was prematurely halted, it may bubble up later.

Montessori Strategies for Preventing Tantrums

Tantrums are a natural outburst of emotion, and so you should accommodate them when you can. That said, there are some ways you can stop tantrums from happening:

Preparation is key. If you know you are going somewhere that could overstimulate your child, bring something to distract them, such as a book or a favorite toy.

Understand their feelings. That way you can label their emotions.

Ask how you can help. If it looks like your child is having difficulty with something, offer them help. They may not accept it, and that’s okay.

Tell them yes as much as you can. Remember “freedom with limits.” Saying yes to harmless desires will make the times you say no easier for them to swallow.

Routines. When a child knows what to expect throughout the day, they will be prepared and not so easily overwhelmed.

Conclusion

Childhood is full of big emotions. Children will want to learn how to express themselves or be independent, but with that comes frustration. That is when a tantrum happens. As a parent, you must be there to show them that emotions are valid and that they are safe. Stay calm, use these tips, and the tantrum should pass.

Have questions like, “What is Montessori?” Or maybe you are looking for Montessori schools in PA? Give us a call at 215-821-1455. We’re more than happy to chat with you!

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When parents first learn about the Montessori Method, they cannot wait to bring it home and try it there. Yet, even with all the Montessori schools in PA, you may not understand how to create a Montessori-friendly home. Fortunately, you don’t have to make too many changes to your home and still create a successful environment that supports your child’s growth.

We’re going to discuss how to do just that.

What is Montessori?

Often referred to as the Montessori Method, this education approach was developed in the early 1900s by an Italian doctor and scientist named Maria Montessori. The method has become increasingly popular over the past 100 years.

By the most basic definition, the Montessori Method focuses on developing a child’s sense of independence through hands-on learning and a prepared environment that assists a child’s growth during developmental stages.

There are seven principles on which Montessori education is built:

Independence

Hands-on experience

Play is work

Observation

Freedom within limits

Prepared environment

Respect

You will notice that the principles function the same way in your home as they do in Montessori schools in PA and beyond.

What The Montessori Philosophy Looks Like at Home

In a Montessori classroom, you may notice that it looks little like a traditional school. The instructors are not the rulers of the classroom. Rather, the children are allowed to express themselves, pursue what interests them, and can choose which activities they would like to do as long as they clean up any of their work.

You can incorporate the elements of a Montessori school into your home rather easily when you keep the principles in mind.

Your child does not have to attend a Montessori school for certain applications to work at home either. Beyond mimicking the setup of a Montessori classroom for your home, you should also remember that the idea of independence plays a role in fostering a child’s growth. Create a home where your child can be curious and utilize all five senses.

7 Ways to Create a Montessori-Friendly Home

Now let’s look at some ways you can apply the Montessori method to your household. Whether your child is currently 7 months or 7 years old, you can incorporate these tips.

1.

Simplify Your Home & Designated Spaces

Depending on the age of your child, the ways you alter the home environment is going to change. Babies, for instance, do not need much to begin their Montessori journey. Their play area and sleeping area need a few simple items that allow them to interact with the world. This includes things like giving babies access to seeing a child-safe mirror, and keeping sensory toys within reach.

Do not forget to childproof your home for when the baby becomes mobile. You will need to keep sharp objects far from their reach, use baby gates to section off their area, cover electrical outlets, and anchor down heavy or wobbly furniture.

As your child gets older, they should have places within the house, such as their room and bedroom, where they learn to care for and value the space. Within the designated spaces, your child can express themselves while maintaining the cleanliness of the area.

Here is another example of designating space: In the entryway of the house, install a few low hooks for your child to hang belongings. Have a shoe rack and a clear spot for them to use.

2.

Have a Child-Friendly Spot in the Kitchen

One of the best ways to bring Montessori into the home is to establish a bond of trust. Show your child that they can do almost anything you can do, especially in the kitchen. Give them a shelf in the pantry and refrigerator where their eating utensils are within reach, so they can reach these things whenever needed. You can also keep pre-portioned food and drinks available for your child that they can grab whenever they are hungry or thirsty.

Younger children can have their own table and chair set, where they learn to sit and eat their meal. You can forego the high chair once they can sit up on their own.

3.

Organize Toys, Books, and Other Belongings

Less is more. You might think purchasing your child hundreds of toys is a great idea, but that could teach them to value such things less. Instead, swap out several toys every few weeks. Storing those items in designated areas on a shelf rather than using a toy chest helps promote a sense of order.

The same applies to books and other items. You can keep a small basket or shelf of popular books in the corner of the living room. If your child has a special interest, you can stock up on a few books pertaining to that and put it in their school bag or in the car or bathroom. Books should always be within reach!

4.

Use Montessori Toys

We mentioned toys, books, and like objects and the importance of organizing them earlier. Now, we need to consider which toys are best for the Montessori method.

What might shock many parents is that not everything qualifies as a Montessori toy, especially when it comes to toys without a purpose. Since Montessori is all about examination, exploration, and observation, natural materials are best. Rock, cotton, wood, wool, ceramic, and metal are all favorable, because children can refine the senses by handling different textures.

Most toys are not complex. Passive toys are encouraged, because children can use their imagination to play. Similarly, choose realistic toys for children. Purchase toys that exist within the world.

5.

Play a Supporting Role

Perhaps the most important piece involved in making a Montessori-friendly home is you—the parent. Connect with your child as much as possible.

Observe

Without interfering in your child’s activity, you should observe and figure out how to make the environment better for learning. Are there too many choices to maintain order? Are materials being put in their proper place? Are the toys no longer challenging enough? Or are those toys too difficult?

In doing so, you will learn what interests your child, and you can then incorporate things that spark their curiosity and desire to learn.

Model

Always be willing to demonstrate how things work, where they go, and how to develop a routine to young children and adolescents. Invite your child to learn from you, and model the proper way to perform something before giving them a chance to try it on their own.

Never stop adapting to your child’s growth and their stages of development.

Final Thoughts

Montessori is not just for school, it is a way of life. It can go beyond the classroom, into your home. By keeping certain principles in mind, such as independence, observation, and acknowledging your child’s curiosity and need for exploration, you too can bring Montessori home.

Look no further for a “Montessori school near me.” We are one of the top Montessori schools in PA. So, if you want to learn more about Montessori, we invite you to give Fishtown Montessori a call at 215-821-1455 today.