Raising an Independent Child

As a Montessori parent, I can imagine you have heard numerous times the importance of independence. I hope that you see how, inside the classroom, independence is encouraged and fostered. Maybe your child is asserting his or her independence at home too.

         Montessori training is centered around the independence of the child, and the set-up of the classroom follows suit. How can parents at home seamlessly continue to raise independent children? I recently came across a book that wonderfully discusses the importance of, and tools to implement, raising independent children. The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed by Jessica Lahey is a casually written, empathetic, and crucial book for parents. Lahey has the insight as both a parent and educator and speaks from her own experiences. I may not have children of my own or know the pressure of raising a child, but I share many of the same struggles as parents.

          There is so much emphasis on parents to raise perfect children who grow up to be successful and without any struggles. Of course, these wishes for children are out of love and wanting to see them happy. Yet, sometimes children are left with no confidence, skills, or even joy from their childhood. It is biologically wired within adults to want to shield and protect their children, but at some point in their development, it is so crucial to step back and let the child learn from their struggles. By choosing the Montessori method for your child, I assume you already subscribe to the theory that education is more than memorizing and regurgitating information. It is our goal to educate children for life! The Gift of Failure is a great, and modern, way to continue your child's independent development at home.  

Ms. Katie, Firefly Teacher