Montessori Primer: Principles of a Montessori Classroom (and How They Can Be Applied at Home)

As we’ve discussed in earlier posts, at its core, Montessori philosophy celebrates and nurtures each child’s authentic nature, his part in a bigger picture, and his intrinsic desire to learn. Montessorians view Montessori philosophy as a way of life; carried throughout all facets of the child’s life. So if Montessori isn’t just something that happens at school, how can it be practiced at home?

To help build a bridge from home to school, let’s begin with a look at 8 principles of Montessori education. In Angeline Lillard’s book, Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, she discusses Montessori’s holistic approach to educating the child. Today, we begin with the first principle of a Montessori classroom, as explored in Lillard’s research on Montessori education, Montessori’s thoughts, and ideas for the home.

Movement and Cognition

“The child needs activity concentrated on some task that requires movement of the hands, guided by the intellect.” (The Science Behind the Genius, 1966)

Tips for the Home:

Dance to music in the house – count the beats
Ride bikes together
Play at the local park
Count the number of steps up to the slide
Play hopscotch
Play I-Spy
Explore unstructured art and crafts
Work with mazes
Try intricate coloring patterns
Play together with wooden blocks and games: pattern games, Legos, etc.
Develop structures, pulleys, vehicles
Allow your child alone-time to explore his own creativity