In this prolonged absence from the classroom environment it is okay, and even encouraged, for children to take a break from academic work and focus on other aspects of life. The process of Self-Construction doesn’t stop when a child leaves school. It is happening all the time, as creative work done by the self. Children are still learning and growing without the academic work provided at school, and the work outside of academics is just as important! In the classroom we support this work of Self-Construction with our prepared environment, including the materials on the shelves, which are not in the home. However, we also support growth by offering freedom of choice in activity, and no limit on time allowance, which is a concept that can be practiced in the home.

There are many Montessori materials already hiding inside your home! Building the kinds of “work” we have on the classroom shelves can be done with household items, and without buying anything new. Your home materials don’t need to match what we have in the classroom, and there is no “perfect” way to set up materials

The toddler years are full of ups and downs. The importance of a child learning to regulate his or her emotions is important. We need to recognize and understand our children’s needs and fulfill them to the best of our ability. The emotional experiences of the young child remain deeply embedded in their brains and affects their behavior for years to come.

Since we are away from school, many parents have their children at home with them, while trying to work. I’d like to give some suggestions on how to incorporate Montessori in the home for children of any age but today, we will keep our focus on the toddler aged child. Just to be clear, you do not have to go out of your way and spend money to make your home look like your child’s classroom. If anything, we try to replicate our classroom to feel like a home environment. 

Learning to read is hard work. Trying to help support your readers during this time is even harder. Most of you were not trained to help the young child learn to read, but now, here you are trying to support and encourage them. It’s also challenging because you’re their caregivers, and we all know that they keep their best behaviors for you.

Today's thoughts for learning at home come from Ryan. One important area of learning that we approach differently in the Casa is science. Children under six are focused on the tangible items in their life; it is the age of “what is this?” So, when we think of science for this age group, we consider what objects or processes the child can directly observe. In the classroom, this could mean something as simple as learning the names of different classifications of animals, or as complex as keeping an observation journal of caterpillars in metamorphosis. Science for this age is closely related to both sensorial learning, as the child begins to improve at differentiation, and language. Attached here are some areas of natural science that are either present or easily approached in the home. There is so much science in the world around us. While some science may require special materials, so much of it is simply noticing what is already there, and illuminating it for the child to see, rather than to take for granted. We would love to hear where else you have found science in your home!