The Montessori Philosophy of education informs the design of the Montessori classroom as well as the curriculum. The prepared environment of the Montessori classroom provides space for students to explore and learn at their own pace. Throughout the school year your child gets all the benefits of being in the Montessori classroom every day. As summer approaches, your child can still enjoy the benefits of the Montessori Philosophy at home. There are a number of ways you can bring the Montessori Philosophy into your home for the summer.

Provide hands-on activities

A big part of Montessori education is hands-on learning. Children learn on a deeper level when they are able to engage multiple senses during the process. Hands-on learning in the Montessori classroom is orchestrated by the teacher. At home, you can provide your child with hands-on learning activities like those in the Montessori classroom. It can be a simple as providing blocks for counting and building, craft supplies for creating, or tools for learning to complete practical life activities. You likely already have many things in your home that can be used in the type of hands-on activities that are done in the Montessori classroom – it does not have to be complicated.

Encourage exploration of your child’s interests

One of the things that sets the Montessori Philosophy apart from other types of education is the fact that each child receives an individualized learning plan. One of the factors the teacher considers when creating the individualized learning plans is the interests of the child. In the Montessori Philosophy, the belief is that children learn best when they are engaged in learning about something that is of interest to them. You can bring the Montessori Philosophy into your home for the summer by providing your child with opportunities to explore his or her interests. For example, if your child is interested in dinosaurs, provide opportunities for deep exploration about dinosaurs. You can participate in your child’s exploration and create space for independent learning as well.

The beauty of the Montessori Philosophy is that it can be incorporated into everyday life – whether in the classroom, in your home, or while you are out and about. When you start looking for ways to incorporate the Montessori Philosophy this summer, you will find that it is easy to do. The summer does not have to be a lost time or a time of regression when it comes to your child’s education. Your child can continue learning throughout the summer when you provide hands-on activities and encourage exploration of interests. The flexible nature of Montessori learning means that your child can continue learning at home in the summer while still participating in all of the things that make summer unique.