If you are a parent you probably heard about ‘Montessori’. It may have popped up in an Instagram reel, a conversation in your mom’s group or spotted at a local childcare. Truth is, the Montessori method has definitely risen in popularity in the past decade and that’s thanks (in parts) to social media too.
But the Montessori Method is a revolutionary educational approach created by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s! This child-centered philosophy focuses on independence, self-direction, and that never-ending desire for knowledge in our little ones. In today’s blog post, we share the incredible benefits that the Montessori approach offers to our children’s growth and development.
- Promotes Independence
The Montessori approach emphasises the importance of allowing children to do things for themselves. Children are given the freedom to choose their activities and work at their own pace. This environment is set up to encourage independence, with child-sized furniture and materials placed at their level. Children learn to take care of their own needs, such as dressing themselves, preparing their own snacks, and cleaning up after themselves.
TL;DR:
- Tiny furniture and tools for the little hands
- Kiddos dress themselves, whip up snacks, and tidy up
- Builds responsibility and confidence
- Fosters Self-Discipline
In a Montessori classroom, children are encouraged to work independently and make their own choices. They learn to be responsible for their actions and develop self-discipline. Children are given the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. They are also taught to respect the rights of others and to cooperate with their buddies.
TL;DR:
- Montessori = self-guided learning
- Setup fosters exploration and natural discoveries
- Encourages Creativity
The Montessori Method encourages children to use their imagination and creativity. The materials used are designed to be open-ended, allowing children to use them in a variety of ways. Children are encouraged to explore and experiment with the materials to discover new ways of using them. This promotes problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
TL;DR:
- Sparks problem-solving, brainpower, and curiosity
- Empowerment encourages critical thinking
- Supports Cognitive Development
The Montessori Method is designed to support children’s cognitive development too. The materials in the classroom are designed to be self-correcting, allowing children to learn from their mistakes. The activities are also designed to be sequential, with each activity building on the skills learned in the previous one. This promotes logical thinking and helps children develop a strong foundation for future learning.
TL;DR:
- Skill refining activities
- Self-correcting exercises
- Logical and critical thinking
- Promotes Social Development
The Montessori Method promotes social development by encouraging children to work together and respect each other’s differences. Children learn to collaborate and communicate with their peers, which helps them develop important social skills. They also learn to respect the environment and take care of the materials in the classroom, which promotes a sense of responsibility and community.
TL;DR
- Kids feel loved and valued
- Healthy emotional growth and a healthy self-esteem
- Teach respect for others and the planet
All in all, the Montessori method is a child-centered way to promote independence, creativity, cognitive and social development. It is a holistic approach that takes into account the whole of the child’s physical, emotional, and intellectual development. The Montessori approach is a great alternative to the standard approach to education that can help children develop the skills they need to succeed in life. We are huge fans of its methods and love to share the benefits and everyday application you can make in your own home too.
