Parents…

1. “Help me to help myself.”

Children can do many things by themselves when provided with the right environment and the right tools.

• Provide child-sized tools they can easily manipulate.
• Organize your home in a way that enables them to participate in everyday activities. For instance, using low shelves enables kids to put away objects by themselves.
• Provide clothing that enables them to dress up by themselves rather than to have to ask for help. Choose clothes that allow your child freedom of movement.

2. “The simplicity or imperfection of external objects often serves to develop the activity and the dexterity of the pupils.”

Children do not need expensive toys. It is important to let them explore objects in their natural environment.

• Choose simple toys your child can manipulate.
• When choosing toys, focus on whether they are safe and whether they teach your child something.

3. “To give a child liberty is not to abandon him to himself.”

According to Montessori, children need “freedom within a structure.” “To let the child do as he likes when he has not yet developed any powers of control is to betray the idea of freedom.”

• Provide or propose stimulating activities, then let your child be free to choose.
• Use natural consequences to make your child develop inner discipline. With freedom comes consequences.

4. “To assist a child, we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.”

Children thrive on routine and order from a very early age. They therefore need an environment that enables them to maintain order.

• Teach your child to be responsible for picking up after herself (put toys, books, etc. away in the right place when she’s done playing, put away her clothes, put dirty clothes in the laundry basket…). This can only work if your child has easy access.
• Be consistent. Sticking to schedules is beneficial for children.
• Limit the number of toys. A recent study found that too many toys stifle children’s creativity.

5. “As soon as children find something that interests them, they lose their instability and learn to concentrate.”

A child learns best when he is interested in what he is learning.

• Encourage decision-making. Let your child choose what he would like to do.
• Your child learns better when he feels he has a choice.
• Carefully observe your child, and identify his interests in order to propose activities that support these interests.

6. “Imitation is the first instinct of the awakening mind.”

Children learn best through observation and imitation.

• Propose hands-on experiences to your child. For instance, she can start her own garden.
• Let your child help.
• Give your child opportunities to play with real-life objects, such as grains, rice, beans, etc.)

7. “The child builds his inmost self out of the deeply held impressions he receives.”

Treating children with courtesy provides them with a model for their behaviour.

• Be respectful.
• Make eye contact. Get down to your children’s level and talk to them.
• Teach your child appropriate ways to express difficult emotions.
• Model the behaviour you would like your child to adopt.

8. “What is generally known as discipline in traditional schools is not activity, but immobility and silence. It is not discipline, but something that festers inside a child, arousing his rebellious feelings.”

It is important to differentiate between discipline and punishment.

• Remember that kids will be kids. Don’t expect your child to act older than she is.
• Discipline with intention. Discipline is about teaching specific behaviour, not about punishment.
• Be willing to let some things slide.

9. “It is not enough for the teacher to love the child. She must first love and understand the universe. She must prepare herself, and truly work at it.”

Love is not enough. Sometimes we have to work on ourselves.

• Be willing to reflect on your parenting beliefs and your parenting values. What really matters? What values would you like your child to develop?
• Again, model the behaviour you would like to see in your child.
• Be democratic.

10. “There is no description, no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees, and all of the life to be found around them in a real forest.”

Children learn much by exploring their environment.

• Provide opportunities to explore nature.
• Propose activities that teach your child to engage with nature, like collecting leaves, stones, observing insects, naming the different colours in her environment, etc.

Chores your toddler will love…

• Sorting laundry and putting away clothes. Just like matching games, young kids can already be quite skilled at finding the socks that go together. You can also prompt them to sort family members’ clothes into separate piles or work on folding clothes. Afterward, get them used to putting clean laundry away in their room.
• Setting or clearing the table. Especially if dinner is a family event, get everyone involved before taking a seat at the table by asking your littlest helper to put plates, silverware and napkins on the table. After the meal, enlist them to bring plates to the kitchen.
• Filling up water bottles before outings. A good toddler chore option because the water bottles aren’t likely to break, task your child with filling up their reusable drinking bottle with water. (Another thing to consider: Encourage your child to take responsibility for keeping track of their own bottle instead of fetching them a new one every time it’s misplaced. Have them make a habit of returning it to the refrigerator or counter between uses.)
• Dust shelves. Easy to do without the use of additional cleaning sprays or chemicals, dusting the shelves with a dry cloth is a great introductory chore. Maybe just consider steering them clear of surfaces with breakable items on top!
• Clean up toys. With cleaning up toys, there tends to be two levels: The first, when your child will simply “put things away” anywhere that isn’t on the middle of the floor. And the second, better level when items are actually sorted in the right places. Boost your kiddo’s chances of correctly organising by having open bins or shelves, so they can remember where toys belong.
• Make the bed. We all know this small, two-minute task can be a real mood-enhancer during the day—so get your toddler involved by incorporating making the bed into the morning routine along with getting dressed and brushing their teeth. Military-style perfection isn’t required, but it’s a wonderful habit to start young.
• Water the plants or garden. Whether with houseplants or tending to the garden, there isn’t too much that can go wrong when you task a toddler with carrying a watering can. (Ok, ok, keep a towel handy for spills!) By giving them this sense of ownership and pride over a living, hopefully thriving thing, they will likely be more inspired to continue helping out.
• MariaM2021