The following are practical tips for parents on how to raise children the Montessori way at home. These ideas can be applied across all areas of a young child’s development.
1. Respect Your Child
Try to see the world from your child’s perspective. If they are crying, consider what might be causing their distress — sometimes children, like adults, simply have a difficult day and need extra comfort and connection. Respect their need for space and movement; being confined to one area for long periods may naturally cause frustration. Respect, too, that they may not always have a large appetite. Teaching children to be respectful of others begins with respectful example from those around them.
2. Freedom of Movement
Give children the space and opportunity to explore their environment safely. Rather than confining them to one spot, allow them to experience different types of movement — tummy time, pulling up, cruising, and eventually climbing in safe spaces. As children learn to move, their possibilities for learning and discovery naturally expand.
3. Freedom of Choice
Offering choices can be particularly helpful with toddlers. Rather than open-ended decisions, try offering two acceptable options — for example, “Would you like dinner now or in ten minutes with everyone?” or “The blue top or the red top?” This respects their growing sense of autonomy while keeping things manageable.
4. Encourage Independence
Look for opportunities to let children do things for themselves. Simplifying small tasks — such as choosing elastic-waist trousers so a child can practise dressing themselves — makes independence achievable and builds genuine confidence over time. Allowing children to feed themselves, even if it is messy, is valuable practice.
5. Communication
Talk to children in clear, properly articulated language. Name objects around them to build vocabulary. Communication is not only about giving instructions — have real conversations, ask questions, and listen. This models respectful, engaged dialogue and supports language development during a critical period of growth.
6. Teach Through Modelling, Not Correction
Rather than pointing out mistakes, model the correct way calmly and naturally. If a word is mispronounced, simply repeat it back correctly in the flow of conversation — there is no need to highlight the error. Children learn a great deal through observation and imitation of those they trust.
7. Choose Simple, Natural Materials
There is no need for flashy toys that do all the work for a child. Toys that invite children to do something with their hands — dropping a ball, stacking rings, completing a simple task — may engage their attention and concentration far more effectively. Natural and open-ended materials often offer the greatest scope for exploration.
8. Trust Your Common Sense
Many Montessori principles are grounded in practical, common-sense thinking about what children genuinely need. Trust your own instincts as a parent — if something feels right and is safe, it is worth trying.
9. Patience
What children learn now can benefit them — and you — in the long run. While it may take time and consistency to establish new habits, the investment is often worthwhile. For example, helping a child learn to settle independently at sleep time may take patience initially but can make a real difference to everyone’s rest over time.
10. Love and Support
With love, warmth, and support as the foundation, no parenting approach can go far wrong. Growth involves imperfection for both children and parents — and that is a natural and healthy part of the journey.
This post is intended for general informational purposes only; please consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your child’s individual needs.
I love this post! I am just starting to learn the Montessori Philosophy and having this makes me feel good to start by reading this. Thanks so much!
Great 10 tips to make the kid enjoy the freedom of wearing the clothes they love. To choose the things, to improve their vocabulary. Enjoyed the post which truly adds on happy and responsible parenting. Thank you for sharing.
i’m thankful to you from the core of my heart in solving my problem
We are in the process of raising a 2nd generation of three siblings ages 5 to 10 in our home and my wife and I are in our mid 50s. While we made plenty of mistakes with the first “wave,” we are applying the principles of love, structure, affirmation, reward and consequences once again. We have seen plenty of examples of “child-centered parenting” in our society, usually in public or social settings and sadly, they are easy to spot. This is a recipe for a child’s unrealistic self image and utter surprise when some authority figure besides mom or dad tells little Johnny or Susie what they can and cannot do. It only magnifies as this young person grows into adulthood. I know I’m speaking out on a Montessori website, but I’m sorry- taking these things to heart is a good way to warp your child and make your job as parents much harder when structure and consequences are facts of life with which they will need to handle correctly.
Hmm…I think there might be a misunderstanding here. Structure and natural consequences are one of the cornerstones of Montessori philosophy. Dr. Montessori wrote exstensively in the balance between a child’s freedom and the development of their inner discipline: in other words, self control. She wrote,”To let a child do as he likes, when he has not yet developed any powers of control, is betray the very idea of freedom.” Freedom, in the Montessori context, means freedom for the child to fulfill her developmental potential, not freedom to do whatever she wants.
I identify with this comment! I am a firm believer in the Montessori method, but I do recognize its collision with reality at times. My experience is that the reality is not that following the Montessori method would result in a self-centered child. Rather, it is extremely difficult for parents to truly carry out the Montessori methods. The deep respect for the child that Maria Montessori promoted is very challenging to implement in a daily life with young children, especially when parents are overwhelmed with balancing work and home. I fail constantly and it pains me greatly. The introspection and humility required in a Montessori parent sometimes go directly against our human psyche. How do we parents balance following the child with being an effective leader amist so much weaknesses and imperfections in ourselves? In the end, when there are those rare moments when I am at peace and I could truly feel love and respect in my heart (such as when I lower myself to my child’s level and explain in an earnest and emotionally neutral way why I cannot grant him his wishes, my two year olds really responds. Therefore, I know that Montessori ways are superior, but a very difficult path for adults.
Lovely, please always notify Me on what to do make my son write at age 2. Thanks
Very nice post.. Whole Montessori in 10points.. I loved reading through…
Great info
The information is to good.It helped me a lot in understanding the topic.
i souly believe all these methods are true as i try to use them on my child and even though they dont work all the time it works
@daniell tell your child exactly the reason why the sand is not leaving the bucket as he desires. may be with an example, how wet clother will stick to your body rather than dry clothes. last, try to locate dry sand and show him the difference. if you are
[quote name=”Danielle”]What should I do when my 18 month old gets frustrated with the work he is doing. [/quote]
I would try to designate his feelings. That way he knows you understand him and care and he learns the name of his feelings. If that doesn’t calm him down, try to guide him verbally through the problem solving process. Intervene as little as possible. This way he has still a chance to solve this problem on its own. If he is getting to frustrated, ask him if he wants a hug or to be picked up. This way he can get a rest, but you don’t make the problem magically go away.
What should I do when my 18 month old gets frustrated with the work he is doing. For example, he is shovelling sand into a bucket but the sand is damp and doesn’t leave the shovel the way he wants it to. He begins to cry but will not leave the work and go onto something else as I recommend. Should I insist he goes onto something else, help him get the sand from out of the shovel, or let him be (while still being available for hugs etc).
Dear Danielle your concern is normal. While little ones felt frustrated one way is to draw their attention back to you by doing soothing and high pitch comforting sounds and look at your babies eyes to make her/him feel comfortable and assure, after that you can gently model how to clean the shovel in a playful manner… as you are showing one possible option… your baby will figure it out if that possibility suits her need and calm him/her down… Very good question and thanks for sharing. Your Esteban from Shanghai
I have found this list very clear and easy and have printed it of to pass on to parents of our Nursery