A child is not a vessel to be filled with facts, but one who loves learning for themselves.
Toddlers defined. They:
- Live in the present
- Pick up things effortlessly
- Are enormously capable
- Are innocent
- Do not hold grudges
- Are authentic
Toddlers need:
- To Say “no”
- To move
- To explore and discover the world around them
- Freedom
- Limits
- Order and consistency
- Time to process what we are saying
- Communicate
And toddlers:
- Are not giving us a hard time
- Are impulsive
- Love mastery
- Like to contribute and be a part of the family
Montessori education is not to fill a child with facts, it to cultivate their own natural desire to learn.
Montessori Principles:
- Prepared environment
- Natural desire to learn
- Hands-on, concrete learning
- Sensitive periods (times when toddlers are most apt to learn)
- Unconscious absorbent mind
- Freedom and limits
- Independence and responsibility
- Individual development
- Respect
- Observation
Activities are designed to give toddlers the freedom to choose and limit the number of stations in which to choose.
Use the S.H.O.W. acronym for teaching kids how to use an activity: Slow Hands Omit Words
How to set up an activity:
- Display it on a shelf
- Make it attractive
- Show what belongs together
- Prepare everything so our child can help themselves
- Undo the activity
Tips for arts and craft:
- Try not to be prescriptive. i.e. No need to color between the lines.
- Give feedback
- Use good quality materials.
- Show by example.
Communication with your child
- Describe the world around you
- Self-expression (don’t finish their sentences)
- Enjoy moments of silence
Outdoors and Nature are key to toddler development and grasp of their surroundings.
Get kids outdoor every day.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Instead of “good job,” say what they did that was good. Sum up what they did. Describe how it felt to do a good job. Think about what you would say to another adult when giving them feedback.
Environment Setup:
- Child height (low hooks for towels, dinner utensils, and cleaning items)
- Child size
- Beautiful
- Organized (kids have a strong sense of order)
- Less is more
You shouldn’t have to worry about staying organized: it’s simple – less is more. Store away old items the child isn’t using and reintroduce or circulate other items.
7 Principles for Curious Humans:
- Follow the child – let them lead.
- Encourage hands-on learning – let them explore
- Include the child in daily life – let them be included.
- Go slow – let them set their own pace
- Let them be independent and responsible
- Encourage creativity – let them wonder
- Observe – let them show us.
Allow boredom. It allows them to seek creativity and stimulation.
Instead of threats, bribes, or punishment help build trust by problem-solving together.
Give them information, not orders. Information: “The orange peel goes in the garbage.”
Follow through with kind and clear action. If your child is throwing a tantrum, don’t ignore them. You can offer to have them go to a calm place in your house that you have set up for them.
