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Montessori pedagogy to educate your child on a daily basis
Many parents are interested in Montessori pedagogy. Often, they want to find answers to the questions they have about their children’s education. Set limits, do not shout, what activities or games to offer, parents want to do well by seeking above all the development of their toddlers. And following the basic principles of the Montessori philosophy allows you to educate your child while respecting his development. Interview with Emmanuelle Opezzo, trained in the Montessori universe, who has just opened Koko Cabane, the first family space based on this pedagogy in Paris. This specialized educator gives us the keys to understanding Montessori fundamentals …
Montessori: for a benevolent education
In her book, Emmanuelle Opezzo explains that first of all, “parents must question the prejudices they have on education”. She thus wishes to convince fathers and mothers to forget the idea that education is reduced to a precise method. On the contrary, in the Montessori spirit, it is good to consider that the child, in order to build himself, develops naturally, according to different key stages, according to his rhythm. In the Montessori philosophy, “educating” your child comes down to helping, protecting and securing him. Emmanuelle Opezzo specifies that “the parent must establish a caring relationship, based on mutual trust as the child grows, in order to accompany and support him affectionately, emotionally and socially. This will give birth to him esteem, self-confidence, a certain internal security, which is essential ”. For her, “Mothers who are interested in Montessori can learn from their pregnancy in order to welcome their baby, having in mind, ideas of their future educational choices”.
Learning to do “alone”: a pillar of Montessori pedagogy
One of the fundamental precepts of the Montessori philosophy is “do it alone”. The autonomy of the child is favored and allows him to build himself in all confidence. “The parent must meet the physical, emotional and psychological needs of his child, by preparing an adequate environment”. According to Emmanuelle Opezzo, “It’s not about letting the child do whatever he wants at home. But to give him the choice, for example between several clothes or snacks. These small moments of daily cooperation are important and give him self-confidence ”. The educator specifies that ” for the parent, knowing that his child is capable of doing alone is the starting point for the development of his autonomy ”.
Parents are committed to “being obeyed” in their education. According to Maria Montessori, as Emmanuelle Opezzo reminds us, “obedience is built with the will. Before 3 years old, the child is not yet psychologically mature enough to obey the instructions. Little by little, he organizes his thought, and his identity is structured. His own thought emerges ”. In Montessori philosophy, obeying does not mean submitting to a will but rather granting your will to a third person, without being under duress. Emmanuelle Opezzo specifies: “The child is receptive to the instructions given with love and authenticity, those which contribute to his well-being. He obeys what seems right to him ”. The educator thinks that some requests from parents relate more to “personal comfort than the well-being of the child”. Another basic principle: the child loves his parents, he does not try to anger them. Here again, in Montessori philosophy, received ideas are called into question. The child is not necessarily in the provocation or the refusal to obey. Emmanuelle Opezzo explains “ that the so-called 2-year opposition phase is rather considered as an affirmation phase. The child begins to express his desires “. For Emmanuelle Opezzo, if the adult does not set a frame or give clear instructions, this is when the child can test or disobey. “When the boundaries are too blurry, the child tests the limits and enters into negotiations or even radically opposes” she adds.
Adapt the environment
To live daily according to Montessori principles, Emmanuelle Opezzo explains that the child’s environment must be prepared at home. His living space should not only be reduced to his bedroom, but the whole house must be thought of for the child. First of all, you have to arrange your bedroom. Different spaces are recommended: a corner for sleeping, another for play, for changing, and a corner for artistic and cultural activities. In the kitchen, too, it is important to adapt the space to the age of the child. Meals are considered a key moment in social development. This awakening time between parents and children is very important especially for autonomy. Learning tastes, eating with cutlery, pouring water, everything is a pretext to help the child grow.
“Toys allow the child to grow”
To awaken her child, parents are looking for specific toys. Emmanuelle Opezzo explains that “ in Montessori kindergartens, there are no toys available, but material called “work”. The games are thus taken seriously and respected by the child ”. At home, parents who wish to follow the Montessori philosophy can choose certain types of toys. “It is by playing that children build themselves” indicates Emmanuelle Opezzo who takes up one of the precepts of Maria Montessori. Before choosing a toy, you have to ask yourself certain questions: what is it for, what does it bring to the child, does it improve their fine or gross motor skills, understand a new concept, ‘exercise memory? Lego or Kapla are perfect, for example, they leave room for the imagination and creativity of the child. For the specialist, “ideally, the game should allow the child to self-correct to promote autonomy and critical thinking”. When playing Memory, the child sees for himself whether the cards are identical or not, whether the pieces of a puzzle fit together or not. “The games allow a certain repetition by following a precise course: beginning, middle and end”, explains Emmanuelle Opezzo. Finally, Montessori activities allow children to develop their individuality until they are 6 years old.