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Montessori at home is about...
Part 2

I first started trying to implement Montessori at home when Peter was around 9 months old.

I would google ‘Montessori activities for age x’ and set up a shelf with whatever toys I found that fit the bill. I ‘prepared the environment’ by designating an open closet in the bedroom and a shelf in the kitchen where he could access his things independently. And then I sat there, expecting him to magically transform into a Montessori toddler that picks out his own clothes and dresses himself, prepares his own breakfasts, and spends an hour engaged with the material on his shelf.

So, you can imagine my confusion when he did not. What I didn’t realize back then, and technically didn’t realize until a year later, was that shelves, materials, and prepared spaces are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to implementing Montessori at home and the foundation is actually US!

Implementing Montessori at home starts with US having the right mindset, and seeing our child as capable, and worthy of respect, dignity, compassion, and unconditional love. It’s about doing the research about the Montessori philosophy but also the inner work that will allow us to see our child for who they really are – a unique being with unique needs, interests, and pace. This is what makes up the foundation of implementing Montessori, and everything else builds from there.

If you’d like to learn more about the mindset and philosophy of Montessori and how to implement it in your home, our 3rd cohort kicks off in 2 weeks and I’d love to have you join us!

Link in bio ❤️
Course reviews in the highlights ⚡

#montessori #montessoriathome #shelfie #preparedenvironment #independent #independence #independenttoddler #montessoritoddler #montessoriathome #preparedadult #mindset #philosophy #respect #unconditionallove #followthechild #childledlearning #childled #interests #needs ...

Come visit a Cabane à Sucre with us 🍁

It's almost Spring and the sap is flowing which means it's Cabane à Sucre (or Sugar Shack) visiting season! 🥞

Cabanes à Sucres are seasonal restaurants (that open between mid Feb and end of April) on maple tree farms that offer traditional Quebecois food and entertainment.

This year, we wanted to visit a sugar shack that had good food but also fun activities for the kids and Érablière Meunier did not disappoint!

We started off our visit with a hearty lunch where you're invited to add maple syrup to everything from sausages to ham to baked beans 😅 Note: sugar shack menus are often big on pork so if that's not your thing, I'd recommend looking into the shacks that offer more diverse and/or vegetarian options.

The farm had a lot to offer in terms of entertainment especially for the littles. There's a mini farm 'fermette', a cabin where you can make your own maple taffy 'lollipop', bouncy castles, a beautiful large natural outdoor playground, tractor rides, walking trails, visits from Paw Patrol characters, face painting, balloon animals, and even helicopter rides 🚁

Overall we had a great time and the warm sunny weather made it that much more enjoyable as we got to spend lots of time outdoors under the sun (the best part if you ask me). I even got in a minute of barefoot grounding in the snow 🤪👣🥶

#cabaneasucre #sugarshack #mapleseason #maplesyrupseason #maple #maplesyrup #montreal #montréal #thingstodo #springactivities ...

⏳ DIY Montessori Sensory Writing Tray (recommended for ages 3+)

Most children love to run their hands through soft textures like sand or salt, and hands-on exploration is a crucial pre-writing activity!

This Montessori sensory writing tray (using sand or salt) is a wonderful way to encourage and develop pre-writing skills because not only does it activate multiple senses (tactile, visual, and auditory) but it's also a lot of fun.

If your child is interested in phonics or letter recognition, you can use the tray alongside sandpaper letters or letter flashcards. If not, the tray can be used to practice drawing freeform or following patterns/shapes you've drawn on paper. Your child can also explore drawing/writing with other tools like sticks, chopsticks, or a paintbrush.

All you need:
✔️Salt or sand
✔️ A shallow tray or Tupperware
✔️ Food coloring (optional)

Please let me know if you end up trying this with your littles, I'd love to see/hear it! ❤️

#salttray #sandtray #sensorytray #writinginsand
#Montessori #montessoriwriting #montessoriwritingprep #montessoriathome #DIY #writinghacks #learningtowrite ...

'We must let the child walk and notice how he walks. His legs are short in comparison to ours and therefore he walks more slowly. Not only this, but the child explores the environment' - Maria Montessori

One of the easiest and most meaningful Montessori-inspired activities you can do with your little one is a child-led walk.

What is a child-led walk?
It is simply a walk led by your child.
You stop when they stop, you see what they see, and you give them the gift of freedom and the opportunity to explore.

While this concept comes naturally to our little ones, who are driven by their interests, it can take more of a conscious effort for US adults because it requires us to:
🔆 Follow instead of lead
🔆 Slow down to our child's pace
🔆 Resist the urge to interfere
🔆 Remove expectations and agendas

So here are some tips to make it easier:
1️⃣ Pick a time when you won't be in a rush.
2️⃣ Try to go somewhere that requires minimal intervention, like a park sidewalk, short hiking trail, or a quiet street.
3️⃣ Expect a slow pace and lots of stopping.
4️⃣ If you find this difficult, you can try sipping on a hot drink, or listening to music or an audiobook in one ear, to help you slow down, minimize interruptions, and have something 'to do'
5️⃣ You can still follow your child's lead while holding their hand when it's necessary or if they want to. The point is to let them decide where to go and what to see. 

Now tell me, will you try this? 😊

#childledwalk #childled #Montessori #walking #nature ...