While wooden toys can be fun, Montessori focuses on developing a child's independence through hands-on activities and exploration!
When people think about Montessori, they think about natural materials for children like this wooden toy here. I’m here to tell you that this does NOT mean it’s Montessori. In fact, it may be just a way for companies to get you to pay more for a toy. Now yes, it’s true that Montessori favor toys made from natural materials like wood, metal, cotton and glass.
This is because:
By providing children with materials that can break, they will develop the skills needed to care for and to pay attention to when handling these materials. They will learn about the natural consequences of living in the real world. The problem is when companies capitalize on parent’s who want the best for their children. So what do they do? They will create a bunch of wooden toys and put the word ‘Montessori’ on it to persuade parents to buy it. And because some parents don’t know any better, they’ll buy into it.
The thing is, Montessori is a philosophy, and form of practice. It’s about intentionally teaching a child how to progress towards certain goals so they may become independent. So, it’s not necessarily about WHAT materials are being used, but HOW the materials are being presented.
Take a stick, for instance. If I were to just give it to someone, and told them to go use it, it’s not Montessori. Why? Because there’s no clear goal to achieve. The child will be left to use their imagination to figure out what they can do with the stick. However, if I were to show them what they can do with it, for instance, peeling off all the bark and placing it in a bowl, then it’s considered Montessori. That’s because I have now set a clear goal for them to achieve with the stick. What’s great with a simple task like this is that it goes beyond just showing a child how to peel bark off a stick. It’s also exercising on their ‘fine motor skills’ as the fingers are peeling the bark, it’s working on their concentration as they have to complete the goal, and it’s also working on their hand-eye coordination as they have to grasp small pieces of bark with their fingers.
If you would like to know more Montessori activities that you can do at home, check out my book Fresh Montessori. You can download a free chapter here.
So, instead of buying such expensive equipment labeled ‘Montessori’ in the hopes that your child will learn on their own, try using things you already have in your home and setting a goal for your child to achieve with them. Remember, it’s not about WHAT you use, but HOW you present it. If you’re wondering how to apply Montessori at home, I created a whole video about it here. I share 3 tips to help you bring Montessori to your home without breaking the bank.
I’ll see you there! Stay FRESH!
