Do you use Montessori Methods in your Early Learning program?

[TeachingMyToddlers]

I have been dabbling a bit more in the Montessori Method. We love TW and the TW creators speak sooo highly of the Montessori Method which inspired me to learn more. I was curious how many people on the forums use the Montessori approach. If you have tried out some Montessori activities, what did you think of them? If you are a huge Montessori fan, what made you choose this path? If  you've never used or considered using these methods, is there a specific reason why? Did your child's age play a role in starting or choosing not to use Montessori Methods?

Hopefully my poll was worded clearly enough! 

[Ayesha Nicole]

Hi there. 

My girls are enrolled in an Islamic Montessori program, and I have been meaning to incorporate various additional activities at home, yet, am busy with Arabic language materials preparation, that I have not had time, regrettably.  I do have these books that I have skimmed through to understand how to incorporate it at home:

How to Raise an Amazing Child
The Montessori Way
http://www.forsmallhands.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=84_1261_1922

Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child [Paperback]
Maja Pitamic (Author)
http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-Myself-Montessori-Activities/dp/0764127896/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1299857789&sr=8-3

Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School Years [Paperback]
Elizabeth G. Hainstock (Author), Lee Havis (Author)
http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Montessori-Home-Pre-School-Years/dp/0452279097/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1299857833&sr=8-5

and I want to get these as well:

A Parent’s Guide to the Montessori Classroom
http://www.forsmallhands.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=84_1261_1692

Montessori: The Science behind the Genius (just ordered!)
by Angeline S. Lillard, PhD
Oxford University Press, 2005 (404 pages)
http://www.montessori-science.org/

Excellent Montessori materials for the home:
http://www.forsmallhands.com/store/

I have noticed that since they began school, they have progressed above their peers for language (English and Arabic), and math (Sarah is doing multiplication on the pythagoras board!, which is advanced work, and Sarah & Salma have both complete the 100 board, which is sequencing from 1 - 100; and both are doing chain counting (5, 10, 15, etc.) - which I attribute to using the Doman method for reading (English and Arabic) and Doman method for math; both via LR, although not perfectly; they have undoubtedly benefitted.

As I understand it, TW is based on merging Montessori methods with early education methods such as Shichida/Doman methods, among others:  http://www.rightbrainkids.com/content/view/73/82/

[ShenLi]

What I like about the Montessori method is that it is child directed. We all learn better when we're interested in the subject matter so I think it makes sense to have the children guide us in what they would like to learn.

[annisis]

Montessori is a wonderful tool to add into your early learning. It is best approached as a way of life in which you respect your child's budding abilities in every way possible. My little guy has grown so much from Montessori philosophy.

If you need some ideas, you should head over to Counting Coconuts:

http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/

She homeschools her son using the Montessori method.

And then there is Chasing Cheerios for the youngest crowds:

http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/

[Maquenzie]

I'm a huge Montessori fan

I voted that we have specific Montessori materials and use them often. I also needed to vote for "my child is enrolled in a Montessori school and we do NOT do additional Montessori activities at home". With my 4 year old, I did some sensorial and early math and language (phonics) works the year before primary (3-6) and found the materials to be redundant after school started. I actually gave away most of the sensorial works to a homeschooling friend. I kept a few for my 1 year old. Some, I'd rather her just wait and experience at school only.

Concepts and materials we use (or did use) with my 14 month old:

0-4 months
Movement mat with various mobiles, including a gobbi mobile (found on etsy, mobiles talked about in the book "Montessori from the start"), a wooden ring on a string and a bell on a string for emerging motor activity

Floor bed. We partially co-sleep, but she also has a Montessori floor bed, which for us is just a mattress on the floor next to our bed. The room is baby proof and a few select activities are available fir her to crawl to.

Weaning table and chair. We just got her a youth (or "independence") chair.  I have mixed feelings about the weaning table (an infant sized table and chair designed so the child can get in and out independently).  Her motor skills have no doubt been improved from the use of it. It did always feel like she was off in a corner eating by herself though. (she never minded).

Youth chair. A highchair without a tray that has a step so the child can get in and out of it independently. My daughter's gross motor skills are not where she can use it completely independently, and I use a safety strap if I am not sitting right next to her. We plan to take that off as soon as possible. We used a youth chair from about 20 months with my oldest and LOVED it.

Fine motor/toddler materials
"5 baby toys" from pink house on Etsy, small manipulatives. I really loved them, though I think we probably couldn't have gotten some parts cheaper. I would buy them again though as a set.

Imbucare box
Designed to introduce/enhance object permanance. I took a few videos at different ages with her use of this and it was quite interesting to see her varying reactions. Very fun and worthwhile purchase.

Various other toddler materials. Really, about 90% of the toys my youngest has access to are Montessori toddler materials. And I do think her fine motor skills are advanced for her age.

We also used only clear glass dishes from 7 months (when we started solids) on with her. She had a shot glass sized cup (bought from "For Small Hands", mentioned above).  She is fairly proficient with a cup now and just turned 14 months.

In general, the way our house is set up is very "Montessori". The children have access to their clothing, which has been chosen to aid in independence. There are hooks by the door for jackets, and a bench with shoe storage to aid in independent dressing. A very small chair for my 1 year old to sit and change clothes, which she's attempted to help with since 7 months. The children's dishes are on a low shelf, we have snacks low for easy access, a small juice pitcher in the fridge. Appropriate cleaning equipment (working broom, mop, dustpan, etc.) A moistened sponge and crumber for cleaning up independently after meals, etc.


For my 4 year old, who attends a Montessori school, we don't do any other specific Montessori primary activities at home. We do other things, and I just try to pick non-conflicting things. I haven't yet decided about math. I'll be very interested to hear if anyone uses Montessori math AND something else. Especially touchpoint math, as at some point I'd like to teach the concept (my mom taught me as a kid and I found it invaluable).

[TeachingMyToddlers]

Thanks for the responses. I am in the midst of taking an online Montessori training with full albums provided (Thank you Nikita for your blog giveaway I won! http://www.amontessorimarketplace.com/) so I have far more ideas right now than I can possibly implement at once. But I always love hearing other's ideas and reading Montessori blogs whenever I can, it's a fun and easy way to kill a lot of time! http://www.onlinedegree.net/50-must-read-montessori-blogs/

I just kind of wanted to gauge the interest level of Montessori on these forums and help the "Montessori Enthusiasts" identify each other. 

[lzp11]

I am definitely very interested in Montessori methods, but because I'm so short of time at the moment, I have not been able to research them.  I have been a little overwhelmed by the approach - there seems to be a lot of detail and training needed to incorpoprate, and I have felt lacking in the skills to get started.

[MommyofEva]

I subscribe to a free catalogue called For Small Hands... this is their website

http://www.forsmallhands.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1265

they have interesting learning toys for kids/babies...

I haven't gotten around to purchasing some of their stuff yet.. but it all looks interesting!

[MommyofEva]

and I wanted to mention discount montessori outlet:

http://www.montessorioutlet.com/

and

http://www.kidadvance.com/

check for large package discounts, etc

[2010BEBES]

Thanks for the links MommyofEva. It is always interesting to know more about this method.
Thanks

[Wolfwind]

I have always thought Montessori was fascinating but most of the information I have found was for toddlers. Maquenzie you said you have done some things from birth. Can anyone tell me how to learn about Montessori ideas for infants? I would be interested in books or articles or online courses. I have been thinkig of doing an online course for Montessori teachers of infants but it costs two thousand dollars and I have not decided to pay that yet. Is there a cheaper way? I need to check out the blogs linked here too or any others you recommend.

[Plarka]

I did lots of fine motor skills things with my daughter when she was 2.  But now at 3.5, I'm not sure what Montessori stuff to do with her.  (She can already read so we don't do any of their reading stuff).  And I've been wondering what to do with my one year old.  We have an imbucare box and some pegs to put into holes, she likes putting lids on jars and opening and closes small wooden boxes.....what else?

Fine motor skills:
http://prekinders.com/fine-motor-skills/

[Maquenzie]

I had a difficult time finding infant Montessori information as well.  Here are books I read and recommend (along with lots of blog reading, my favorite is http://www.sewliberated.typepad.com/  here is an example of a Montessori baby room http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2009/04/finnians-montessori-room.html):

http://www.amazon.com/Montessori-Start-Child-Birth-Three/dp/0805211128

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Human-Being-Importance-Montessori/dp/187934100X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1  (in my opinion, this one is pricey, and if you are already reading Montessori from the Start, it doesn't offer enough new information to justify the cost)

There are others as well, but these were the most valuable to me.


Plarka, that's a great link!   How old is your one year old?  Here are some things my one year old did today:

From Early School Materials (http://www.earlyschoolmaterials.com/toddler/index.html)
pom pom push
ball push
ring slide

From KidAdvance
drawer ball imbucare box (http://www.kidadvance.com/Store/ProductDetails.asp?pid=628&catid=29)
coin box (http://www.kidadvance.com/Store/ProductDetails.asp?pid=756&catid=29)


And she spent about 15 minutes picking out the markers and putting them back in a marker container.


Water activities are also lots of fun! Squishing sponges in water, whisking bubbles in a bowl.



For the 3 year old, math and culture/geography activities might be fun

http://www.infomontessori.com/mathematics/introduction.htm

http://www.infomontessori.com/language/cultural-work-geography.htm

[lelask]

Has any of you bought any montessori material? Which website do you recommend? 

[Korrale4kq]

I love Montessori services. http://www.montessoriservices.com/store/

We implement a lot of Montessori  into daily life. JJ is 18 months and very independent. He has had his meals at a small table and drank from a cup since he was 13months old.  He helps me make snacks. He helps around the house with cleaning. He also does a lot of fine motor tasks. Lacing beads, transferring, spooning, pouring etc. 

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