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Montessori Parents Talk

Parents share how Montessori philosophy and practice has helped their parenting.

We would love to share YOUR stories about  using Montessori philosophy and values at home.

Send your stories to eo@montessori.org.nz

Vida Schurr, mother of Isabel, aged five months, Christchurch, New Zealand

 

Our first child was born last year. One Montessori practice that helped me through the very early weeks was observation of Isabel's movements, habits, routines and facial expressions.

The last one - facial expressions - has been my favourite to watch.

The other Montessori concept that has kept me ‘sane' and allowed me time to observe is a sense of order. This is more for me and how I prepare everything so that when Isabel is awake I can spend time with her knowing that everything is in its place and this allows me time to relax and enjoy just being with her without rushing around trying to finds nappies and a change of clothes etc.

It even means that if we are going for a walk in the afternoon I will prepare the pram and her clothes while she is asleep so that the transition from feeding and changing will be smooth.


 

Marg Forde, mother of Rory 12 and Paddy 10, Hamilton, New Zealand

Two Montessori fundamentals have travelled well with me in my parenting years between toddler to almost-teen. They are intrinsic motivation and cosmic education; concepts which I've found make a natural transition between classroom and home.

Embracing intrinsic motivation has been a constant in my parenting, and one that I have found has been relatively easy (if anything about parenting is easy!!) to uphold, because it just makes such damn good sense. As my sons mature, it is such a pleasure to observe them experiencing a deep personal satisfaction for achievements (big or small) that could not exist for them if external recognition was their motivation.

The cosmic task that everything and everyone has is a powerful concept and I really love the way, through the cosmic curriculum the children get in the classroom, we can underline at home to our boys the wonder of all that is created and the connectedness of all living things. It's only a small leap then to remind them in a variety of ways of their importance as individuals, by way of their place in the universe, and the range of responsibility that importance entails.

Michelle Thorne, mother of Jessica, aged 17 months, Auckland, New Zealand

Seventeen months ago, it was my turn to truly ‘walk the talk.' I was about to experience Montessori from both sides, as a teacher and now as a parent.
After convincing my partner, Terry, we would have to make a few ‘unconventional changes' to our home, I set about sourcing furniture and equipment for our new baby daughter and to bring Montessori ideas into our home. We decided to go the whole nine yards and began with a Moses basket, low bed and cotton nappies. Seventeen months on and we have lost a dining room, kitchen cupboard space, most of our deck area and now have a weaning table and chair in our living room. How life has changed!
It has all been worthwhile, especially when we observe Jessica's confidence and self-esteem being nurtured through the independence we have given her. At 17 months she is able to get in and out of bed by herself, choose her own clothes, get her own breakfast and eat by herself, all with very little adult intervention. It is also wonderful to see her enjoying her own area (ie. what was our dining room!) choosing activities independently or sharing something with a friend.
In turn we have a happy, content and confident little girl who is always eager to help with the household chores!

Niki Rutt, mother of Manaaki, aged 17 months, Whakatane, New Zealand

When I was pregnant I read Montessori from the Start – Montessori at Home from Birth to Three by Paula Polk Lillard which is a fantastic support for Montessori parents; a book that you can go back to time and time again. I was also introduced to Pikler philosophy which sits so well with Montessori’s respect of children and having the right environment for infants to blossom without the aid of ‘contraptions’.

Right from the start I have given my son Manaaki the freedom and choice to explore in a safe prepared environment and introduced him to lots of experiences.  He is now 16 months old and such an independent and confident boy.

A few months ago Manaaki was having a’ no nappy time’ when he suddenly disappeared from the room and returned with a packet of baby wipes, he opened the flap, took one out and started to wipe the floor. I then saw that he had gone for a wee and was cleaning up! What an absorbent mind!

It has been a real help to me to know other Montessori teachers who were mothers. I have often emailed them for advice on the different stages that Manaaki was going through; this has made all the difference and kept me strong through some of the challenging times!

Clive Mark, father of Alec, aged three years, Nelson, New Zealand

My son, Alec is nearly three. He has been raised in a very strongly Montessori-oriented environment, as his mother is a Montessori teacher. From birth Alec’s room was organised with child-sized furniture and a low bed so that he could come and go from by himself.  I got a seat that enabled Alec to join us at the table when he could sit; he drank from a glass, cut fruit with a real knife as early as a year.

Alec particularly loved the pouring exercises that were presented to him in the Montessori way; on a mat from the very beginning and later when he was sitting at the table. We provided Alec with a variety of activities in a simply organised sunroom with low shelves so he could access what he wanted independently. 

In these simple ways he was immersed in Montessori right from the start. 

These influences have improved my experience of parenting by making him very independent at a young age. Alec has developed great dexterity with wonderful co-ordination; he is able to easily help himself (and expects to!) and is capable of focussed, self-initiated activity. 

I believe our Montessori approach at home has made the parenting experience more valuable and enjoyable for me also.