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Summer is here. My son officially has gone through his FIRST school year. I mean, it’s preschool, but still! Since it’s Montessori, he is actually in a Kindergarten classroom. Three-year-olds, four-year-olds, and Kindergartners are in the same class. Now there’s no denying that my son has learned a lot. However, there are plenty of things that I have learned after a year of Montessori parenting.
As you may or may not know, until recently, I was a public school teacher. When it came to my own kids’ educations, I have always thought I would want to homeschool so that I could do it differently than how school is normally run. I know, a school teacher? Thinks homeschooling is better? Yes. Yes, I do.
The more I looked into Montessori education, the more I really thought it was something I could go for. The style of teaching is so similar to how I feel like I would have homeschooled. An emphasis is placed on life skills, independence, exploration, and self-guided learning. Want to know more? Check out “What is Montessori?”
Things I have Learned after a Year of Montessori
First-My son can do more than I usually think
One of the biggest things that has drawn me to Montessori was the high expectations. Much of what the kids do just in their every day at school, people will scoff and say, “Well you can’t expect preschoolers and kindergartners to do THAT!…” Well, they do. They do it every day and they do it well!
Kids are taught and expected to prepare their snacks, choose appropriate work to do, complete their work, clean up materials and put in the correct place, etc.
I’ve had parents of my fourth-grade students get angry at me for expecting these simple behaviors! I have actually had parents argue that their kid is too young for me to expect them to be able to things like this on their own.
Part of why our kids are not capable of taking care of things for themselves is because we don’t expect them to be able to. Really nothing that the school expects of their students is over the top. Just simple everyday “life” things that kids naturally start to pick up if we, as adults, allow them to jump in there and do it!
The amount of self-control, and focus that a THREE-YEAR-OLD is capable of is so much more than I had previously thought.
Second-Playing and Learning Go Hand in Hand
How does this work? How do they get kids to be so focused and have self-control? Well, the kids LOVE their work. They LOVE learning. In a Montessori classroom, the kids are focused and complete their work because it mimics natural play. Kids learn patterns, practical life skills, everything, in a very natural way.
When you come into a Children’s House classroom (the little ones) at first look, it just seems that they are playing. Yet, somehow it’s different. It seems structured even though the kids are freely working/playing on different things.
Curious about how to make a more “Montessori” style household?
Often the students are working independently, which is just AMAZING to see 3-5-year-olds do.
It looks like playing… and to the kids, it FEELS like playing. However, they are learning so much! Even the order of how they complete activities on the shelf (left to right) is a prerequisite to reading.
Third-Don’t Mess up His Work!
If there is one thing I have learned this year is to not mess up my kid’s “work.” I have seen my son take pride in his “work”-this could mean his coloring, playing with play-doh, building with legos… anything is now “work.”
He has started working diligently on little projects. He experiments and tries things. He doesn’t get mad if something messes up because he has learned that this is part of the process, HOWEVER, he will get very upset if his sister comes and messes it up. With this pride has come a sensitivity to anything or anyone messing up with hard work.
Top of the List of Things I Have Learned After a Year of Montessori…
Kids WANT to learn! OK. I actually already knew this, but witnessing the kids in my son’s school really confirmed it. Learning becomes a chore because adults make it one! Kids are natural learners. They WANT to learn. They crave knowledge. Children want to explore everything!
What I’ve learned this year is that the best thing that I can do as a parent is to keep this passion for learning alive!
I will pass this on to young mommies! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Montessori is so amazing!
We have really enjoyed it so far!
Making learning fun! I love the concept.
This could be eye-opening to many parents. These schools are wonderful! I actually homeschooled my boys when they were in Pre-K and K and knew many skills (including reading above grade level) by the time they entered 1st grade. Great post!
I find this interesting because although my grandsons are in a traditional preschool, my daughter and son-in-law expect them to do much of the things you describe at home. They are 3 and 4 - they have chores…feeding the dog, etc., they clear their own plates, set the table, help with laundry, put away groceries, help prepare meals. The boys WANT to do these things. YES, it would be easier to do it without them, but they’re learning such great skills.
This is so good to hear. My daughter is “shopping” for pre-school for my grandson and she’s seriously looking into Montessori. To know that it works so well, and teaches them things that, let’s face it, they NEED, well, that’s awesome!
Thanks for sharing. I have friends whose children went to Montessori school, some home-schooled and some public & private. Definitely, plenty of options. Great information. Thanks!
This is amazing! I did not know much about Montessori education. Thank you for this insightful information!
I have heard such good things about Montessori! Glad someone is sharing their experiences
Great Post. It’s wonderful to hear a mom and a teacher share their first-year experience with Montessori. I think Montessori is something mothers of young children should seriously consider. Thanks for sharing your experience.
This is great! I particularly like your point that playing is so important to learning. I think that’s something we need to remember even as adults. The more we take time to play no matter what age we are, the more we learn.
amazing how much we learn right along with the kiddos isn’t it?
I found out about Montessori after my kids were teens. I wish I’d heard of it before. I think it’s brilliant!
I often find myself trying to do EVERYTHING in my classroom, until a students asks “Can I do that?” Then I get the wakeup call. Thanks for the reminder!
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Wonderful info will pass this onto my daughter who has little ones and my granddaughter will be entering preschool soon! Looks like a great option for happy children 🙂
How neat! I really need to start letting my almost-three-year-old do more things herself. I mean, I try, but I often forget that she can do more than I realize!
Sounds like a needed revolution in education. I admire their approach to kids.
I love the Montessori approach to learning! I did homeschool however we incorporated a lot of the Montessori principles. I’m glad your son is thriving! He looks happy.
I did Montessori and now my daughter is looking into it. Wonderful!
You are so right about expecting a lot from young children. They are incredibly capable and thrive when they know that you have confidence in their abilities ♥
Love these tips!!!
Thanks for sharing! I always love hearing about what people think about Montessori. Lots of great options for people who are thinking and preparing for school.