Montessori in the Home

One of the aims of the school is "to help the child become increasingly independent, to think and do for himself." At school, your child makes many of his own decisions and does things for himself. This learning can be carried into the home by encouraging and patient parents.

An evening is especially reserved for parents to learn more about the Montessori method and its application in the home. It is an important meeting for new families and a great refresher for veteran Countryside families. The Head of School hosts this presentation. It is packed with valuable ideas you can implement immediately to strengthen your relationship with your child and make your daily life together more harmonious. Watch the newsletter for an announcement.

A Montessori in the Home session specifically for parents of children 0 - 3 years old is also offered. See school calendar for specific dates.

Tips for Creating a Montessori Environment at Home

1. Have a place in each room - the bedroom, the kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom, garage, and so forth - for the child's few, carefully chosen belongings.
2. Think carefully about family activities and the materials used, in all areas of the home, and arrange the environment to include the child.
3. By the front door, have a stool to sit on and a place within reach to hang coats and put shoes. In the living room, have shelves for organizing a few of the child's books, toys, puzzles, or games.
4. Don't put out too many items at one time. A few baskets or trays holding tools or toys that are being used at the moment are sufficient. Don't put too many items in each basket. If a child has 100 legos, that is too many for him to manage. Start out with 10 or 15 in the basket. This way he can learn how to completely put away the legos. As he wants more legos with which to build, more, legos can be added to the basket. He gradually learns how to manage more and more legos.
5. It is a good idea to rotate books and toys - taking out those that have not been chosen lately and removing them to storage for a time. A monthly rotation works well. An older child can help with this. This is done after observing what the child is actually using, and removing those things which are being ignored, or which have been outgrown. Be sure to leave the favorites!

Activities for Children 3-6 years

The child from 3-6 years of age is drawn to activities that involve movement and serve a purpose. Children want to contribute to their community both at school and at home. The child uses these everyday or practical activities to continue his own development. He strengthens his muscles and refines his coordination as well as building confidence, independence, and logical thinking.

Here are some of the activities that your child can participate in at home. (It is important that you show the child how to complete these activities and remember that he is learning and perfecting his or her skills with each mistake/success.) These activities are familiar to the child since he encounters them both at home and at school. This link between home and school is comforting to the child.

• Washing a table
• Sorting laundry by color
• Sweeping the floor
• Mopping the floor
• Scrubbing the sink
• Setting the table
• Filling the bird feeder
• Cleaning the glass
• Tidying bedroom
• Dusting

• Putting away belongings
• Feeding the dog
• Feeding the cat
• Feeding the fish
• Washing face
• Washing hands
• Putting on own shoes
• Combing hair
• Taking off and putting away coats and bags
• Dressing

• Slicing any veggies or fruit
• Baking together
• Washing any fruit or vegetables
• Carrying & choosing groceries
• Feeding himself with utensils
• Pouring his drink using a small pitcher
• Drinking from a glass
• Using a napkin at meal times
• Cleaning up spills

• Shoveling snow
• Watering plants inside and out
• Sweeping patio or porch
• Raking leaves