The Montessori toddler : a parent’s guide to raising a curious and responsible human being PDF
Preview The Montessori toddler : a parent’s guide to raising a curious and responsible human being
T H E M O N T E S S O R I T O D D L E R A PARENT’S GUIDE TO RAISING A CURIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE HUMAN BEING SIMONE DAVIES ILLUSTRATED BY HIYOKO IMAI WORKMAN PUBLISHING | NEW YORK Copyright © 2019 by Jacaranda Tree Montessori Illustration copyright © 2019 by Hiyoko Imai All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced— mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying—without written permission of the publisher. Published simultaneously in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son Limited. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available. ISBN 978-1-5235-0689-7 Design and illustrations by Hiyoko Imai Author photo by Rubianca Han Simmelsgaard Editing assistance by Alexis Wilson Briggs, alphaomegaconsulting.nl Workman books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising or educational use. Special editions or book excerpts can also be created to specification. For details, contact the Special Sales Director at the address below, or send an email to [email protected]. Feelings and Needs chart reprinted with permission by Yoram Mosenzon, connecting2life.net Workman Publishing Co., Inc. 225 Varick Street New York, NY 10014-4381 workman.com themontessorinotebook.com hiyokoimai.com WORKMAN is a registered trademark of Workman Publishing Co., Inc. Printed in the United States of America First printing February 2019 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is for Oliver and Emma. I feel honored to be your mother. You inspire me every day. CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 02 L et’s change the way we see toddlers 04 W hy I love toddlers 06 What we need to know about toddlers 08 Parenting the Montessori toddler 10 Getting the most out of this book CHAPTER TWO INTRODUCTION TO MONTESSORI 12 A brief history of Montessori 13 Traditional education vs Montessori education 14 Some Montessori principles CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FIVE MONTESSORI ACTIVITIES FOR RAISING A CURIOUS CHILD TODDLERS WHO FEELS SEEN AND HEARD 24 Montessori activities for the whole child PART ONE 25 What makes an activity Montessori? ENCOURAGING CURIOSITY IN OUR CHILD 26 How to show the child an activity 86 Five ingredients for curiosity 27 General principles to keep in mind 86 Trust in the child 31 H ow to set up an activity 87 A rich learning environment 34 Types of activities 87 Time 34 E ye-hand coordination 87 A safe and secure base 37 M usic and movement 88 F ostering a sense of wonder 39 Practical life 88 S even principles for curious humans 44 A rts and crafts 88 F ollow the child 46 L anguage 89 E ncourage hands-on learning 60 An extra note on the outdoors and nature 90 I nclude the child in daily life 62 W hat about non-Montessori toys? 91 Go slow 92 Help me to help myself 94 E ncourage creativity CHAPTER FOUR 96 Observation SETTING UP THE HOME PART TWO 66 Setting up Montessori-style spaces ACCEPTING OUR CHILD 67 Room by room FOR WHO THEY ARE 67 E ntrance 99 G ive toddlers significance, belonging, and 67 L iving room acceptance for who they are 68 K itchen 100 Be their translator 69 Eating area 101 Allow all feelings, but not all behavior 69 B edroom 102 G ive our child feedback instead of praise 70 B athroom 104 Roles and labels 70 A rts and crafts area 71 Cozy place for reading 71 O utside 73 General principles to keep in mind 73 T ackling the clutter 74 M aking it cozy 74 S etting up our home to save us work 75 S haring spaces 75 S mall spaces 76 T he importance of the home environment 78 Home tour CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN NURTURING COOPERATION AND PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR CHILD PART ONE PART ONE DAILY CARE CULTIVATING COOPERATION 136 Daily rhythm 108 Why the Montessori approach does not use 138 Rituals threats, bribes, or punishments 139 G etting dressed and leaving the house 110 Problem solving with our toddlers 143 E ating 113 Ways to involve our child 147 S leeping 114 How we can talk to help them listen 150 Brushing teeth 116 Managing expectations 118 Bonus—Write a note PART TWO DEALING WITH CHANGES PART TWO 151 Toileting SETTING LIMITS 154 S aying goodbye to pacifiers 120 It’s okay to set limits 155 Siblings 121 Be clear on the limits 122 Follow through with kind and clear action PART THREE 125 Acknowledge negative feelings USEFUL SKILLS FOR OUR 126 Dealing with tantrums TODDLERS TO LEARN 128 R econnecting once they are calm 161 S haring 128 H elping them make amends 162 L earning how to interrupt an adult 130 T ips for setting limits 163 S kills for introverted toddlers 133 A handy checklist for limits 165 A hitting/biting/pushing/throwing phase 168 B uilding concentration 169 Dealing with frustration 170 When our child is clingy 172 S creen time 173 Bilingualism CHAPTER EIGHT REAL STORIES BEING THE ADULT HOME TOURS AND QUOTES FROM MONTESSORI FAMILIES 178 Preparation of the adult 179 Physical self-care 212 Australia 180 Cultivate a learning mind-set Kylie, Aaron, Caspar, Otis, and Otto 180 Start and end the day right How We Montessori 182 Practice presence 213 Mongolia 183 O bservation Enerel, Bayanaa, Nimo, and Odi 183 Fill our emotional bucket and our child’s Mininimoo 184 Slow down 214 C anada 186 B e the child’s guide Beth, Anthony, and Quentin 187 Use our home as a helper Our Montessori Life 188 B e honest 215 U SA 188 Take responsibility for our life and choices Amy, James, Charlotte, and Simon 189 Learn from our mistakes Midwest Montessori 190 C elebrate where we are 216 My family 190 S elf-awareness Simone, Oliver, and Emma 191 K eep practicing Australia and the Netherlands 217 My classroom Jacaranda Tree Montessori CHAPTER NINE Amsterdam, the Netherlands WORKING TOGETHER 218 FURTHER READING 194 What about everyone else? 220 THANK-YOUS 195 P arents are people, too 195 P referring one parent APPENDIX 196 The key to working together as a family 197 Getting family on board 224 I nstead of this, say that 199 G randparents and caregivers 226 Where to find Montessori materials and 200 When there is conflict in the family furniture 201 Divorce does not have to be a dirty word 228 About Montessori schools 228 What to look for in a Montessori school 229 W hat does a typical day at a Montessori CHAPTER TEN school look like? 230 I s Montessori suitable for every child? WHAT’S NEXT 231 H ow does a child transition to a 204 Getting ready for preschool/school traditional school after being at 205 T he coming years Montessori? 209 It’s time for a change in education 232 F eelings and needs 209 It’s time for peace 234 P lay-dough recipe 235 List of Montessori activities for toddlers 246 Index INTRODUCTION 1 02 Let's change the way we see toddlers 04 Why I love toddlers 06 What we need to know about toddlers 08 Parenting the Montessori toddler 10 Getting the most out of this book
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