Montessori Childrens House
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Continuing a Supportive Montessori Environment As a follow up to my article in last week’s Friday

Posted on Wednesday, June 10, 2009

To continue a supportive Montessori environment at home over the summer - allow your child to participate in the daily routines of the home; cleaning, preparing food, setting the table, clearing the table, taking out the recyclables, feeding the household pet are just a few.  Write out a short list of responsibilities that you think your child would be capable of performing, would enjoy and that you feel able to supervise.  After you have composed that list, sit down with your child and ask which activities they would like to assume.  They will be very eager to participate.  Prepare the environment so that your child can independently fulfill the task.  If it is setting the table for meals, make sure that all the necessary materials are stored for easy access: place mats, napkins, dishes and utensil.  Demonstrate the process of setting the table several times before allowing your child to fully take responsibility.  Give the time and support necessary for success. Follow this procedure for whatever task you ask your child to undertake.  Remember children do not see these tasks as chores but as an honor, an honor to be able to contribute to family and home.  Performing these tasks also helps lay the foundation for so many skills both practical and academic.

Toys, books, art materials, almost anything, should be stored in baskets and/or trays and placed on shelves or drawers for easy access and clean-up.  Remember – fewer is better.  Clean up is so much easier if there are fewer objects to pick up.  If you have lots of toys, rotate those that are put out.  Insist that your child put back on the shelf everything that is taken out before they make the transition to another activity.  This process will be very familiar to your child and help reinforce our established classroom ground rules.

For more ideas about how to create a supportive Montessori environment at home check out the DVD At Home with Montessori.  It is available in Curt’s office for parents to take home and view.

Follow Dr. Montessori’s Golden Rule:  Help Me to Do it Myself!