A common question among “Montessori parents”, is how they can best support their children’s education at home. While the scope of this question can fill books (just click on links at the end of this article), there are a few general outlines that any parent can follow at home. As a parent and teacher, I’ve always found that good parenting and good teaching constantly overlap. Common sense rules at home and in the classroom. A strong component of any Montessori classroom is the support it gives towards a child’s independence. From a Toddler putting on their shoes, a Primary child making snack, an Elementary child checking their own math problems, to a Junior student running their own business, our classrooms encourage the child’s efforts towards autonomy. There are several ways of introducing this element at home. To support a child dressing themselves, easily accessed crates (one for socks, one for shirts, etc….) allows the child to choose their own outfit. While you may cringe at some of the combinations they come up with, the lesson is well worth it. Similar efforts can be made to allow the child to get their own snack, make their own lunch, or choose want they want for breakfast (for instance, pictures of pancakes, cereal, etc… can be put in envelopes marked by day).
The Practical Life shelves in a 3-6 classroom hold buttoning and zippering frames, pouring and pincer grip activities, and food preparation. The tools used are child-sized, but not toys, and allow the child to do the same types of work they see their parents or older siblings perform. For the home, similar tools can be purchased or adapted (for instance, sawing off some of the handle end of a rake). And finally, employing an element of choice in your parenting will dovetail nicely with their work at school. While the child relies on you to set the parameters for their behavior and safety, giving the child freedom within structure is an excellent vehicle for development.
As enrollment in Montessori schools has risen, so has the veritable cottage industry that supports Montessori in the home. The following are links to several books that may help further your interest:
”Montessori from the start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three” by Paula Polk Lilliard
“Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child” by Mija Pitamic
“How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way” by Tim Seldin
Follow the Child 