Recently, the Montessori lifestyle has become very popular among parents who tried to use an integrated approach to child upbringing and learning. The Montessori approach, initially created by Dr. Maria Montessori more than a century ago is not only an educational model but it is a lifestyle. It focuses on understanding a child’s nature and development, self-education, and learning environment that prepares a child for education and learning. Increasingly, parents are taking time to bring the Montessori ideas from school to home, opting for the Montessori lifestyle in their everyday lives. So why does the Montessori lifestyle attract parents so much? It is now high time to look for the factors that have instigated such tendencies.
Another interesting point, which is the direct unique guideline of the educational point of view of Maria Montessori, is independence. Therefore in Montessori schools children are expected to pick what they want to do, make their own decisions and work at their own capacity. It assists in the child development especially on aspects of forming self-confidence and instilling responsibility. If parents take such principles to their homes, they make homes conducive for children with disabilities to continue with independence. Such things as child-sized furniture, toys placed within the reach of children, and engaging the children in day-to-day activities enhance these values. Self-directed learning makes parents realise that their children are more productive, intelligent and responsible whenever they are granted the independence to learn on their own.
The Montessori approach is known for its emphasis on fostering a lifelong love for learning. Rather than focusing solely on rote memorization or standardised testing, Montessori education prioritises curiosity, exploration, and hands-on learning. At home, parents can extend this love for learning by providing opportunities for their children to explore topics that interest them. This might include creating a nature study corner, setting up a reading nook, or involving children in cooking and gardening. By integrating learning into everyday activities, parents help their children develop a genuine enthusiasm for discovery and knowledge.
Montessori education emphasises direct education of children’s emotion and social self. At Montessori schools, children are able to share how feel, recognize how others feel, and how to solve conflict with proper conduct. The above social skills are important in the development of positive relations and emotional well-being. Yes, at home, parents can rein for these skills again and again and have to keep on demonstrating to the children the empathetic behaviour, teaching them the skills of open communication and giving them the opportunity to play cooperative games every time. Cultivating and developing of a child through academic and social development is important to equip the child with the right emotional intelligence to enable him or her to cope with societal issues and also form healthy relationships in future life.
While teaching, Montessori is largely based on the concept of developing the basic practical life activities which include dressing, cleaning, and cooking among others. They acknowledge the nature of such activities, as the proper way of fostering children’s coordination, concentration, and a sense of accomplishment. Even at home, parents ought to involve their children in the day to day activities and make work assignments educational fun. This way the child learns the importance of work, proper dexterity of hands with practice and determination in doing tasks and thus develops self esteem. However, engaging in these activities helps the child feel that they have a responsibility to do something for the family hence increasing parent-child relation.
Hence, the Montessori philosophy takes this fact into account, as students are different and learn at their own rate. It lets the learner grow at his/her own pace based on interests and ability without necessarily having to be boxed into a certain type of learning model. Thus, parents, who decide to adopt a Montessori lifestyle at home, can contribute to a child’s individual development by offering choices and appreciating their child’s interests and developmental progress. Besides, the discussed approach fosters proper self-esteem and body image as well as helps children become self-motivated learners who learn because they are interested.
Most parents would like the Montessori philosophy as it fully supports their ideologies that they have towards their children. The Concepts of respect, independence, empathy, and love for learning are appealing to the parents who want their children to grow into well mannered, knowledgeable and humane beings. Following the Montessori method at home allows the parents to think that they are guiding a child’s development process and raising a happy and balanced person ready to face life’s challenges.
Although it is clear that Montessori is an educational system, it is much more than a method of learning; it is a way of life that helps children grow to become self-motivated, self-reliant and emotionally literate. When taken from school to home, the parents are seeing to it that they prepare the child for a changed environment that is Montessori-oriented, but constructive, positive and patronising. That is why the Montessori approach of child development is increasingly gaining popularity as more parents observe the benefits of the Montessori way of life on their children. It is embracing the Montessori Montessori way of life that imprints the idea of addressing the whole child, acknowledging the unique identity, and promoting the child’s abilities.