The importance of our environment

Fri, Mar 6, 2009

Montessori At Home, Other

Anybody who has studied Montessori can tell you the importance of a child’s environment. Take a look at the current environment your child lives in. Does it promote independence? Do they have opportunities to explore?  These are all questions we must ask ourselves when trying to come up with the perfect area for our children.

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I put a lot of thought when I created my daughters playroom, and fortunately, I was able to dedicate an entire room solely for her. I have provided her with works and activities that will enable her to explore all of her senses. It’s amazing just sitting back and watching her learn. Often, I work my way towards one of the corners of the room and try to blend in the background. I spend hours observing her, and I take mental notes of what she is sensitive to. If I see that she’s getting joy out of sorting shapes, the following week, I might add another work on the shelf that requires her to do the same thing but  with different objects. What I try to do is follow my child to see what she wants to learn. As Montessori always pointed out-the child directs their learning. The teacher is the servant who provides them with opportunities.

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Make sure your child has a clean, and orderly room. Don’t overcrowd the shelves-it might overwhelm the child.

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Provide the child with age appropriate activities. Don’t jump the gun! They’ll let you know when they’re ready.

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Choose puzzles that have large knobs. This helps children develop the pincer grisp, which is later used in writing.

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This would rarely be seen in  a Montessori school, and I honestly can say it is the one thing about Montesori I have a hard time agreeing with. I believe children learn through play, but in most Montessori schools, imaginary play is frowned upon. Either way, EVERY little girl deserves a play kitchen!

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Viewing 12 Comments

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    take mental notes of what she is sensitive to. If I see that she’s getting joy out of sorting shapes, the following week, I might add another work on the shelf that requires her to do the same thing but with different objects. What I try to do is follow my child to see what she wants to learn. As Montessori always pointed out-the child directs their learning. The teacher is the servant who provides them with opportunities.
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    Thank you for this beautiful site. I am trying to build my two year-old daughter a postive learning environment at home, and your site has provided me with a wealth of inspiration and practical ideas!
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    Wow what a lovely set up, you are a genius!

    Amber
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    I think you did a fabulous job. I agree... with what you said... my son went to a Montessori school but it wasn't the right thing for him. The main thing is lack of creative play and the quiet environment. But I love Montessori material.
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    Hey! Thanks for stopping by! Yes, Montessori isn't for everyone, but it doesn't mean you can't bring Montessori into the home! I checked out your site, and your children seem to be enjoying themselves. Great job!
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    The imagination theory came about because when Montessori started teaching 100 years ago, in Italy, there was enormous emphasis placed on stories about magic, faries, traditional stories with talking animals etc and nothing in the way of the type of toddler and young child books we are so used to. Montessori was arguing that to steep a child in that type of literature was to deny them any knowledge of the real world. I'm sure you've heard stories about young children who really believe they are Superman and injure themselves throwing themselves from tall climbing frames etc? Well, this was a major concern to her and she spent a long time thinking and working with what we now call the Practical Life materials to help ground a child and prepare them for their great work. It also allows a child to become a valuable part of their family. Montessori had no doubt that the children would be told these stories at home and even regarded them as part of a normal childhood. She just didn't feel there was a place for make believe at school until the age of 6 when a child is able to start tell the difference between made up and real.

    Incidently I have seen many times a disruptive child join a class room and be able to ground and focus themselves and learn to express themselves through the work on the practical life shelves. I don't believe this could happen if only imaginative toys were available. It is through gaining a sense of self worth that a child is able to "normalise"

    Her argument as far as play kitchens was - why give them a toy one when you can give them a real one, and in many schools they have real kitchens at child level. At home, where the space is for both adults and children the lines are fuzzier. If a parent is providing a child with opportunities to cook then a play kitchen is a lovely thing. A toddler shouldn't have access to the oven etc without supervision obviously so a play kitchen is a good place to experement and role play.

    I believe that if Montessori had been alive today she would have modified some of her opinions. Our children have a vast amount more freedom than the Italian children of 100 years ago and our practice has to reflect that.

    At the school I work in, which is in the UK, we have no choice about having a role play area- it has to be there by law until the end of the reception year which is the first year of fomal education when a child is 4-5. We are very careful about how we set it up and what its purpose is but I don't feel it is detrimental overall!

    I hope this helps with the overall understanding of imaginative play? Sorry it is such a long post
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    Wow Anna,

    Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it. I have to say, you are the first person who has explained this answer in a way where I could actually understand where Montessori was coming from. I still don't agree with her ideas in 2009 context, BUT, I do understand now, why it was discouraged in the past. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

    I totally agree with you about play kitchens being a good place to experiment and role play. Unfortunately, there are some hard core Montessorians who frown on such a thing. I have also heard the same response, "Why give them a toy kitchen, when they can use a real kitchen". All I can ask is "What harm does it do if a child chooses to play with a pretend kitchen vs. a real kitchen?" SO WHAT if a child is pretending to use a knife to cut their imaginary apple. Eventually, they'll learn how to do the real thing. Doesn't imaginary play prepare children for reality, and vice versa? Like I said before, I absolutely LOVE the Montessori philosophy, but I think that there are some things I will always have a hard time understanding.

    People have to realize that although Montessori was a highly trained physician, with years of experiencing working with children.....she was also human and nobody is perfect! I believe that there needs to be some adjustment regarding her philosophy to fit today's culture....but that's just my opinion.

    But, once again, Anna, thank you so much for taking your time, and writing me such a lovely and thoughtful response. I really appreciate it.
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    What a sweet, beautiful room! We're a little crowded right now, so EVERYTHING is out - I need to figure out how to set things up so only some activities are out at a time and her environment is less cluttered.
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    @Danielle-I have yet to talk to a Montessorian that has given me a solid response to your question. The closest answer that I could kind of understand was the fact that Montessori helps children rationalize, and it is through reality that children learn to rationalize. In order for a child to have a strong imagination, they must first have a strong base from reality (because imagination comes from reality). I still don't agree. Children learn through play, and that's that!
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    Thanks so much! I really owe it to Montessori. Before I understood the true importance of a prepared environment, my daughter's playroom looked like a tornado hit it. I'm glad that I am able to give my daughter something that will benefit her in the long run! Anyone can do it!
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    you've set up a lovely environment. your daughter is very blessed.
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    I agree on the imaginary play aspect. What is the reasoning behind the lack of imaginary play?
 

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