Montessori Students
Functioning Members of the Household at Any Age
We believe that children can be functioning members of the household at any age. Montessori helps children to learn the skills they need to participate in household activities. Allowing children to participate in these household activities makes the whole family stronger and binds them together.
When children are included in household activities, they may shy away from the responsibility at first.
However, over time, children grow comfortable, taking on a more prominent role in being partially responsible for the household. The Montessori method puts children in situations where they can add depth to their tasks with the guidance of a teacher.
At a young age, children can be responsible in the household for a multitude of tasks.
Montessori schools teach students to care for the environment – this includes the learning environment, the home, and the earth. Students at Jarrell Montessori even learn about gardening!
The environment that students come home to is fundamental to their success in a Montessori program. We ask that parents join us in educating their children by extending learning opportunities throughout the home.
Preparing the Environment
Organized and Simplified
To ensure your child’s best development, keep your child’s environment organized and simplified. That means choosing which toys will be available, and which won’t (just like adults, children can become overwhelmed with too many choices), keeping activities accessible, and allowing their bedroom to be an expression.
Maintaining an organized environment for your child will help them learn where to put things when they are done and help them find what they need without distraction.
Create Opportunities
A child’s bedroom or play area isn’t the only setting to consider, though. Many children can assist in the kitchen at a very young age – even as young as three years. Examples include meal preparation, clean up, and putting away or locating groceries. As a parent, you can enable your child to participate more in these activities by creating opportunities. Some examples might include: a stool near the sink or countertop to help with washing dishes, groceries on lower shelves or cabinets, or a small table to assist with meal prep.
Model, Invite, and Practice
a Successful Household
We encourage our parents to model a successful household and invite their Montessori child to join in with them in practicing household tasks.
One example may be to practice putting away groceries with your child; instead of labeling shelves or telling your child where things go, you join in with them.
Give your Montessori child more responsibility and observe how they respond.
Other duties could include sorting and folding clothes, caring for pets, and cleaning tasks. Nurture your child’s inner motivation, and they will succeed in their environment and in life.
