Fostering Independence At Home

Practicing the Montessori lifestyle at home is something that can be rewarding for you and your child. Many of the things we do in class can easily be implemented at home.

• In the Kitchen, have a low table and chair just the right size for your child.
• Leave a very small pitcher of water and drinking glass on the table so that he/she can get water independently when they are thirsty. (Only leave a small amount of water at a time. No more than you want to have to clean up.)
• In the kitchen, stock a lower cupboard with dishes and healthy snacks that your child can reach. If you want to limit snacks, put out just as much as you want your child to eat in one sitting so that they don’t become too full for the main meal.
• Give your child the responsibilities such as setting the table for meals. This also supports one to one correspondence (requiring one plate, one place setting, one napkin, etc. for each person).,
• Have the child help clear and clean the table after meals and snacks.
• Purchase a small corn broom and dustpan and show your child how to sweep the floor after a meal
• In the bedroom, show your child how to make the bed. Expect them to make the bed each day. Perfection is not the goal, but independence and responsibility are. A child-sized sleeping bag can be used and is easy for a child to make independently.
• Layout two, but no more than 3, complete sets of clothes for your child to choose to wear. When you put out clothes that are appropriate for the weather, you won’t have to worry about conflict with what your child chooses because the clothes will be appropriate for the season. (Clothes can be hung on a lower rod in the child’s closet, or laid out on the child’s bed.)
• In the living quarters, provide 2 or 3 shelves for children’s books and toys. Rotate toys and books when interest wanes.

Something in support of giving our children responsibilities might be when Maria Montessori said,

The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibility of a better humanity. He has shown us the true process of construction of the human being. We have seen children totally change as they acquire a love for things and as their sense of order, discipline, and self-control develops within them.... The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind. (Education and Peace) 

Ms. Maria, Ladybug Teacher