Prospering Montessori Methodology at Home
 Observe your child on a regular basis
Observe in the classroom so that you really know what goes on in there
Include your child in every aspect of family life
Slow down and consider your child's developing needs
Foster the same independence at home as our staff do at school
Count to 10 and take a deep breath before imposing your will upon your child (unless in moments of extreme danger)
Do your very best to refrain from slapping, threatening, or shouting
Understand that authentic Montessori schools are not babysitting services. We call the 3–6 years-old classroom 'Primary' because that is what it is — the first and critically important years in a child's school life
Really try to understand the Montessori philosophy. With so many books written you're likely to find some very interesting perpsectives on our ideology and teaching
Understand what your long-term goals are for your child and how those goals are going to be achieved
Ask yourself, "Are my everyday practises helping my child grow into the kind of person I'd like them to be?"
Prepare every room of your home so your child can participate fully in family life
Differentiate carefully between age-appropriate and age-inappropriate participation in family life
Include the child in plans if you don't want a bored child on your hands
Organize family life to fit the needs of your child's age and personality
Welcome all feelings and help your child to express strong emotion with clarity and respect
Explain carefully what's going on in the family, while staying on an age-appropriate level in keeping with your child's understanding and interest
Maintain cycles of activity in balance with basic needs for nutrition, sleep, exercise, quiet concentration, solitude, and companionship that fit your child's temperament
Participate three times a day with your child straightening his room and bath and putting away his toys, materials, and games
Treat your child's behaviour as "in process," and developmental, never simply as good or bad
Balance firmness and consistency with a generous measure of hopefulness, good cheer, and joy. Laugh a lot. Tell wonderful little stories of you child's life, often |
