Does anyone do "at home" Montessori?

[luv2bmommy2*2]

I know, I know all the research that I have been doing states that you can't have a true Montessori classroom at home. But what is the next best thing? Or how do you set up your child at home who goes to Montessori during the day. What kind of play activities does your Montessori child do when at home? I would love to start implementing some things but I just don't know where to start. My daughter helps with our daily chores. I bought her so many play toys to spark her imagination- but do you know what she likes doing more-actual real life work. She is most happiest when she can crack her own egg in the morning and scramble it. She loves story time when we sing and read books together and loves to be with her baby brother. She wants to *HELP* with *EVERYTHING*. I let her do all kinds of things and I feel like-shouldn't she just be a kid-playing with her toys but NOPE she really isn't HAPPY toying with her Dora that my MIL bought her or watching videos. I started to think that maybe my child is just weird but then I stumbled onto this site and dh's pushing preschool got me researching more and more-that maybe just maybe SHE is telling ME what she needs. I know probably every mother feels this way but I want to give my child the *WORLD*. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do?

[arwenevenstar]

I have just started keeping a blog that has elements in it that you might find useful.

It wasn't meant to be that the Montessori classroom was carried over into the home, but there are many aspect that can be incorporated into everyday life assisting your dd with independence at the same time. You are more than welcome to pop over and see if there are any useful ideas there.

www.athomewithmontessori.blogspot.com

Some of the simplest ideas are just to make things accessible. Small table and chair for eating, small gadgets to help in the kitchen, keeping things as natural and simple as possible, keeping things that she needs within her reach, restraining the amount of media exposure etc.

You are doing many aspects of following the child right now by all accounts as probably many many moms who live a more attached lifestyle, because in my opinion, allowing your child to crack an egg or sweep up if they WANT to, is observing and following the needs of the child.

HTH

[LilyGrace]

Popping in, but....luv2bmommy2*2, I agree wholeheartedly with making things accessible.

Here's a site that specializes in M. materials for the home/individual child - www.forsmallhands.com You'll find that most of the materials/tools can be found elsewhere cheaper (Target has turned out to be a GREAT resource here!), but it's a start for ideas. I have ordered from there and the materials are great and high quality, but a little too expensive for me to completely outfit a home in.

[r_brown56]

Yes, many people homeschool with Montessori and it is growing every year. Here's a place to find tons of homeschooling/Montessori info:

Montessori for Everyone - Homeschooling Posts

[vagabonder]

Admittedly I'm not a parent yet (expecting in December), but I've been reading "How to Raise an Amazing Child: the Montessori Way." It really takes the principals used in Montessori schools and shows you how to use them in your own home. It includes a lot of activities in addition to some other great ideas that fit the Montessori philosophy. It's an easy read with lots of pictures, so I would highly recommend it.

[teagansmama]

Though my daughter goes to a private Montessori, we also have many items in our home that we use and we also take on the Montessori approach to learning, etc. with her. I highly recommend the book that the previous poster mentioned - it had some fantastic ideas that we incorporated.

[joyisblooming***]

Hi Everyone

I'm so glad to see this thread! My two children go to Montessori, and I am in the same place. I just got two books on the subject that were highly recommended...one is.."Teaching Montessori In The Home" by Elizabeth Hainstock and the other one was recommended to me from a homeschool meeting "Montessori Play And Learn" by Joy Starrey Turner.

If you are in the Roswell/Woodstock Atlanta area, I would highly recommend checking out Village Montessori. I wish I had sent my kids there from when they were small, now they go to another Montessori where we have made so many attachments it's hard to wiggle out. But just a suggestion. Village seems so clean, so true Montessori and so professional.

[daisymommy]

Hey! I just came here to post about an AWESOME book I just bought yesterday called: How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way.
http://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Amaz.../dp/075662505X
I haven't truly read it yet, but have skimmed thru it, and it looks great! Gives you all kinds of ways to set up your home, do activities, teach, etc. the Montessori way. I like that it's simple things you can do, using ordinary household objects.
Anyhoo--I just bought it at Borders book store last night. Enjoy!

[mamocak]

Great ideas!! I love the idea of montessori and would like to do some thing at home with our hs.