What are the benefits of Montessori Practical Life activities? Recently, I posted an article on a social media site that I had written on how to set up a dishwashing station for a child. While, most of the feedback I received was positive, some responses were along the lines of, “Kids have the rest of their childhoods to learn how to wash dishes.“, and “Let them just be little.” It occurred to me that the aims of Montessori Practical Life activities are not clear to many people. There is solid reasoning behind Practical Life activities being an integral part of … Continue reading What are the Benefits of Practical Life Activities?
Can Montessori work in public schools: Common Core Standards I was recently thinking about the Common Core standards that have been implemented in our public schools here in the United States. You see, my daughter has expressed interest in attending … Continue reading Can Montessori Prepare a Child for Common Core Math?
The Montessori Method: Writing before reading Some might find it strange, maybe even counterintuitive that Montessori teaches writing before reading. I mean, isn’t writing the more difficult of the two skills? Let me give you another way to think about this. Writing is like speaking Maria Montessori wrote in her book The Discovery of the Child (p.199), “Writing develops…in the same way as speech, which is also a motor translation of sounds that have been heard. Reading, on the other hand, forms a part of an abstract intellectual culture. It interprets ideas represented by graphic symbols and is acquired only … Continue reading Why does Montessori Teach Writing Before Reading?
Montessori homeschooling: fantasy vs. reality I love looking at pictures online of those beautiful Montessori indoor spaces and the adorable children working hard at the material contained within them. Heck, I have posted these photos, myself. And it’s real. The children are working hard and the workspace looks amazing…for that moment in time. I’m sure some of these parents have just one child. Or maybe multiple children and help. Or maybe their children are older or spaced differently than my own. Or maybe they are just way better at this than I am. Or maybe they are doing exactly what … Continue reading Homeschooling Reality
Montessori math materials Every material designed by Dr. Montessori had the child’s hands in mind. Dr. Montessori believed that the child who has the chance to use her hands in learning has the chance to attain a superior level of character and intelligence. For this reason, the materials were designed to fit in a small child’s hands, allowing them to more completely experience the presented concept. The materials actively engage the child’s senses, including tactile, visual, muscular, kinesthetic, and baric (weight). How does Montessori teach math? 1:1 correspondence and the concept of zero The Spindle Boxes are no exception. The … Continue reading Montessori Math: The Spindle Boxes
While the Montessori Method is more than a series of activities and the space in which they are contained, these things are important. Children need their environments to be aids to their development. The materials they access must be age appropriate and they need to be able to exercise unrestricted independence in their work areas. The issue that I’ve encountered in setting up my home for the pre-school years, Montessori-style, is the age difference between my children and their individual developmental needs. My 3 year old needs order, peace, and cleanliness. My daughter often chooses work that involves sharp and/or small objects … Continue reading Sharing Space: Respecting the Development of Children in Different Age Groups