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Montessori Best Practices

#1 Independence

Build your child’s independence by allowing them to walk into school, not carried into school.
Allow them to carry their own back pack. Dress themselves as much as possible. In the
classroom these are referred to as practical life skills, which are essentials for everyday
success!
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed” -Maria Montessori

https://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2014/03/absorbent-mind-chapter-8-childs-independence-
studying-montessori.html

#2 Confidence

Build your child’s confidence by saying positive things about school and about their day, even
if they had a hard day. Once your child has been given independence they will begin to gain
confidence to do tasks for themselves. Confidence and self-esteem are developed thru
completing tasks that give the child an intrinsic feeling of self-satisfaction. Praise with words
such as “great job,” “you deserve a reward,” can lead a child to depend on the adult or seek
their approval. Encouragement is honest, and allows them to self-reflect, “that was a difficult
puzzle and you didn’t give up,” or “are you proud of yourself?,” with help empower them.

“Everything you say to your child is absorbed, catalogued and remembered” -Maria Montessori

https://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2010/10/montessori-insights-and-reflections-of_20.html

#3 Concentration

Build your child’s concentration by having an environment in your home that allow them to
gain practical skills and allow them to focus. Instead of calling them toys, refer to their play
things as a work or by a game name. Examples - Instead of calling blocks toys, call them “the
building game” or “engineers work.” Child should have small amounts of time at home with
little distractions that allow their focus to build. Meditation or yoga for kids is a great way to
develop this skill!

“The child who concentrates is immensely happy” -Maria Montessori



https://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2009/08/nurturing-concentration-in-montessori_13.html

#4 Communication

Encourage your child to communicate with you by acknowledging the sounds they make early
on. Repeat the the sounds they make, and try to form real words with them. Smile to
encourage them further. Use a quiet tone, not a high pitched tone. Use simple and correct
grammar with your words, not silly words. Use short sentences they can try to repeat. Carry
out back and forth conversations as if they could actually talk to you in full sentences. This
develops their ability to watch and listen, the basic of conversation, and the understanding of
how communication affects and build relationships with others. Teach them sign language
when they cannot say a word fully. Speak to them as you would any person, avoid baby words.

“When the child begins to think and make use of the written language to express his rudimentary
thinking, he is ready for elementary work; and fitness is a question not of age or other incidental
circumstances but of mental maturity.” -Maria Montessori