If DC goes to Montessori school, how much work at home?

[pix]

My 2.5 year old son goes to a very traditional Montessori preschool He just started in June and goes full time. I am wondering how much work other Montessori parents are doing at home?

We have many things set up to aid his independence (i.e. access to sink, dishes, clothing, etc.). But I don't really do work with him at home. He mostly just plays with his toys (right now cars, trucks, and his play kitchen).

I am wondering if we should set up some work activities at home for him. I want to have continuity with what he does at school, but on the other hand since he is at school M-F from 9-4 part of me thinks he needs the play time at home.

Thoughts? Thank you!

[GuildJenn]

Reading your question I'm starting to realize how Montessori I'm becoming. I asked a similar question once and this is about the answer I got, which I have found has really become something I believe.

Your child is learning all the time; at school there should be plenty of time for him to focus on the school environment and at home he can be learning other things with you just by his very nature (i.e. playing, helping, hanging out, rolling around on the grass....) I think it's great to have things at his level and size but other than that I don't think you have to do anything special.

Now that my son's four he sometimes brings home a book to read to us or some sight words but that's about it and I get the feeling it's mostly for us (and sometimes to bridge a holiday period).

[Lillianna]

Hi Pix!
I agree with GuildJenn -
Montessori in the home is more of an attitude than it is a certain group of activities. The goals of independence, coordination and concentration can be nurtured at home as well as at school
some considerations for the prepared environment of the home:
freedom to choose activities
responsibility to the community (family) - including care of environment
give the child time to persist and time to correct mistakes

I do have food prep activities set up and she has a chalk board. The few Montessori materials I have had at home (sandpaper letter, stamp game, bead frame), she has used rarely if at all. There is a different dynamic in the classroom that creates the interest in the materials. Follow your child's interests as far as what to set up at home...woodworking? sewing? cooking? art?

[noobmom]

At our parent/teacher conference I asked the teacher if I should work on anything at home with DS. She said to just let him play--if I were to work with him too much at home then his time at school wouldn't be as interesting to him. I think that's true especially if you have very similar activities. He helps me around the house a lot, so I think he gets plenty of practical life at home even without trying. In fact, I don't think he spends much time in that area at school, probably because of that, even though he's at the prime age (3 yo).

[pix]

Thanks for the input everyone! This is very helpful to me. I think we will just keep focusing on practical life and independence at home and let him play.