Applying Montessori philosophy in home environment part 2-safety
As a child develops along mentally, emotionally, and physically, he is eager to move and explore the ever enlarging environment. But in order to give the child this wonderful freedom to explore, the home environment needs to be prepared with a fine-tooth comb.
Montessori encourages using a floor bed instead of a crib so that the child is free to leave his floor bed to move about the room, and later the other rooms. This is possible only if the environment is child proof i.e. plugs are covered, wires are taped to the wall or floor, no poisonous plants or chemical within reach, any sharp objects that could harm the child are removed.
As the child begins to crawl quickly and to walk, the adults must continue to childproof the house. A 2-foot high gate which can be stepped over by the adult, creates a safe and interesting spaces for the child through the house. At first the gate can be kept at the door of the bedroom. Later, when the child is exploring outside his room, it can be used to protect the child from unsafe rooms i.e. home office, the kitchen, or any other place that is not yet childproofed. The glassware, knives and your favorite paella pan all need to be kept out from the reach of young children.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)Applying Montessori philosophy in home environment part 1
When a couple are getting ready for the first child, they will be bombarded with so many ads and well meaning friends and relatives on what they “need” for that child. Many of these ads are aimed at selling things that do not provide what is really good for the child.
Many of the items are overstimulating for the young child (too many objects, uncomfortably bright colors), they hamper the natural development of important abilities such as language (pacifiers) and movement (cribs, swings, and high chairs) and even sometimes can be dangerous (walkers and off-gases from plastic).
A simple, natural, and gentle environment that encourages feelings of safety, and encourages the child to communicate with others and to move around—that is the better environment for the child from birth to three. A home theater system, a big plasma TV and home theater sconces may be nice to have. But, listen to the sounds: can you hear the wind in the trees, or are the sounds of nature overwhelmed by the sound of a TV or radio? The child, unable to filter out the unnecessary or the disturbing noises as the adult can, will hear and be affected by every sound and sight! It is important for the child’s sense of order, his security, to keep the environment the same for the first year.
Filed under About Montessori, Montessori | Comment (0)Teaching grace and courtesy
It’s important to guide our children to proper etiquettes, as how children behave mostly reflect on the parents. How do you teach grace and courtesy to your children?
Here are some basic grace and courtesy lessons we need to teach our children, the earlier we get them familiar will be the better.
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