Montessori: the basic principles to apply at home

With Charlotte Poussin, educator and former director of a Montessori school, graduate of the International Montessori Association, author of several reference books on Montessori pedagogy, including “Teach me to do alone, Montessori pedagogy explained to parents ”, ed. Puf “What do I know?”, “Montessori from birth to 3 years old, teach me to be myself ”, ed. Eyrolles and “My Montessori day ”, ed. Bayard.

Establish a suitable environment

“Don’t do this”, “Don’t touch that”… Let’s put a stop to the orders and prohibitions by limiting the danger that surrounds it and by arranging the furniture to its size. Thus, dangerous objects are stored out of his reach and placed at his height which can, without risk, help him participate in daily life: washing vegetables while climbing on a stepladder, hanging his coat on a low hook. , take and put away his toys and books on his own, and get up out of bed on his own like a grown-up. An incentive to resourcefulness and autonomy that will prevent him from continually depending on adults.

Let him act freely

The establishment of a structured and structuring framework composed of certain rules such as respect for others and safety will allow us to let our child choose his activity, its duration, the location where he wishes to practice it – for example on a table or on the floor – and even to move as he sees fit or communicate whenever he wants. An education in freedom that he will not fail to appreciate!

 

Encourage self-discipline

We invite our little one to self-assess so that he does not continually need a pat on the back, validation or that we point him to things to improve and that he does not consider more his mistakes and his trial and error as failures: enough to boost his self-confidence.

Respect your rhythm

It is important to learn to observe, to take a step back, without always acting by reflex, including to give him a compliment or a kiss, so as not to disturb him while he is concentrated on doing something. Likewise, if our little one is immersed in a book, we let him finish his chapter before turning off the light and when we are in the park, we warn him that we will soon be leaving so as not to catch him by surprise. and limit his frustration by giving him time to prepare.

Behave with kindness

Trusting him and treating him with respect will teach him more to respect in return than to demand by yelling that he behave well. The Montessori approach advocates benevolence and education by example, so it’s up to us to try to embody what we want to transmit to our child …

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    © Eyrolles youth

    Montessori at home

    Delphine Gilles-Cotte, Eyrolles Jeunesse.

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    © Marabout

    Live the Montessori thought at home

    Emmanuel Opezzo, Marabout.

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    © Nathan.

    Montessori activity guide 0-6 years old

    Marie-Hélène Place, Nathan.

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    © Eyrolles.

    Montessori at home Discover the 5 senses.

    Delphine Gilles-Cotte, Eyrolles.

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    © Bayard

    My Montessori day

    Charlotte Poussin, Bayard.

     

In video: Montessori: What if we got our hands dirty

Do you want to talk about it between parents? To give your opinion, to bring your testimony? We meet on https://forum.parents.fr. 

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