Every mother, at least out of her ear, heard about the Montessori technique. Maria Montessori, a teacher and doctor from Italy, made up her training system back in the 1950s, but it is still very popular.
Not only parents use the Montessori method, but also entrepreneurs. They open kindergartens in which activities with children are carried out according to this system.
There are always a huge number of people wishing to get into such a kindergarten, even despite the fact that the cost of visiting them is an order of magnitude higher than usual. Of course, we are talking about private kindergartens, but now this technique is being introduced in state-run children's institutions.
Indeed, the Montessori technique can be called unique. With it, you can raise an independent child who will understand what is interesting to him and what is not.
The most important principle of Montessori’s training: “Help me do it myself.” If you want your child to be able to understand his desires, learn to set goals and achieve them, become independent and responsible, take into account the principles of Montessori.
If you have no time to understand the system, you can find out the basic rules of the Montessori technique from our article.
10. Follow the baby
The most important rule is to give your child the opportunity to choose.
Most parents do not listen to the wishes of the baby, but impose their own on him. If a child wants to draw, there is no need to force him to sculpt from clay. If he wants to look at pictures, he doesn’t have to make him play. A little exaggerated, but it is clear what is at stake.
Carefully observe the child, offer those activities that pleased him. Respect his interests and needs, forget your dreams of raising a great artist or actor.
No need to realize your child's unfulfilled dreams or focus on the successes of children of friends and acquaintances. Each child is individual.
9. Give your child freedom
Each mother worries about her child and wants the best for him. For a small child, even a small apartment is fraught with many dangers, to say nothing of the street. Sharp angles, hard floors, forbidden things - all this limits the freedom of the baby.
Give your child the opportunity to explore the world. Take away all unnecessary, make your apartment as safe as possible. Let the child move freely. No need to pull it. Do not say the phrase: “Do not go there. This should not be taken. " Behave in the same way on the street, watch your child, quietly control, but do not limit his movement.
Otherwise, from childhood, the child forms a perception of the world in which you can’t even take a step without the permission of your mother. What kind of independence can we talk about?
8. Focus on practice, not theory
The little child has no idea what you are telling him. Books and cards are, of course, good, but he will have to live in the real world. Try to show real objects, not pictures. It is important that the child not only considers, but also touches the thing that you are telling him about.
It is clear that this method can not be used in every situation. Be sure to connect your child to household chores. Let him water the flowers, feed the cat, clean his clothes. Even if you then have to redo everything, you will help your child develop coordination of movements, a sense of responsibility, a desire to take care of others.
7. Do not interrupt the child’s activities
When a child is very keen on some activity, do not bother him. No need to tell him what he is doing wrong, too slow or sloppy. Let your son or daughter determine the rhythm of the lesson on her own.
If the child likes to draw, sculpt, play the constructor, do not bother. Set aside all your ingenious ideas for spending leisure time “for later”. Otherwise, you run the risk of raising a child who will not finish the job. Let your child know that not only the result is important, but also the process.
6. Conduct "master classes"
Do not expect your child to figure out how to use a new item or toy. Arrange a "master class" for him. Show him how to flip books, how to draw a cat, how to fasten buttons ...
You can come up with a lot of classes, turn the most ordinary thing into a learning process. You already know that children copy the behavior of mom and dad. Children are a reflection of parents. If you want to instill a love of books, read as much as possible.
Most parents “sit” on phones, hang on social networks or watch videos, and a child should love toys, pencils, plasticine or books. Do not expect this to happen.
Most likely, the child is already pulling his pens to your gadget, you yourself, without suspecting it, held a “master class”. Remember: you are always an example for your child.
5. Do not ignore sensitive periods and absorbent mind.
The sensitive period is the time of the highest opportunities, favorable conditions for the development of skills and emotional responses.
For example, the sensitive period for the development of speech is from 1.5 years to 3. If you try to teach speaking to a child who is 6 months old, fail.
Therefore, collect information about the main sensitive periods and offer your child activities in accordance with them. Maria Montessori proposes the term “mind-absorbing”, the child absorbs knowledge that is of interest to him. He is indifferent to everything else.
4. Prepare a study environment
It has already been noted above that those activities when the child had the opportunity to "study with his own hand" an object or thing, that is, touch it, are most beneficial. A child at this age is very important to get their own experience.
Do not show him a glass of water in the picture, take a real glass. Do not worry if something goes wrong. If a child spills water, show him that it can be wiped off. This is just an example. Let the child not only look, but also feel.
3. Provide the child with “child-sized” items
It is difficult for a small child to cope with many adult things. They are too big and bulky for him. Therefore, prepare and purchase several smaller copies of various objects and things: a bowl instead of a basin, a small broom or brush for cleaning, small containers, books of a small size.
Before you buy something, think about it, and the child will be able to use this thing. Surely you have noticed more than once how hard your son or daughter is trying to “wash” the floor with an adult mop. If its size is slightly smaller, the child will be much more comfortable. This also applies to other items.
2. Keep order
It is very important to teach the child order. Of course, this is not easy. Young children do not appreciate the efforts of their mother, and half an hour after cleaning, chaos reigns in the apartment. Involve your child in the process. Let him tidy up his toys.
By the way, once a week (more often or less often, as you prefer) sort through toys. Throw away broken copies or repair, clean up those from which your child grew up. Order promotes the development of systemic thinking and accuracy.
1. Carefully select material for classes
If you arrange thematic classes at home, treat the selection of improvised material with special care. For example, today you study colors, it is necessary that the objects that demonstrate them are of the same size and shape. Otherwise, the child may have difficulty with perception.
If the child is mistaken in the learning process, do not be afraid to tell him about it. Otherwise, he may form a misconception about some objects and phenomena. Teach your child how to correct his mistakes.