{"id":1137,"date":"2020-03-27T19:35:13","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T23:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/?p=1137"},"modified":"2020-03-27T19:35:13","modified_gmt":"2020-03-27T23:35:13","slug":"maintaining-a-montessori-mindset-through-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/27\/maintaining-a-montessori-mindset-through-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Maintaining a Montessori Mindset  through COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div id=\"attachment_1139\" style=\"width: 258px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/One-ought-everyday-at-least-to-hear-red-see-sepak-IMG_0273.jpg?ssl=1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1139\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1139\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/One-ought-everyday-at-least-to-hear-red-see-sepak-IMG_0273.jpg?resize=248%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"248\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/One-ought-everyday-at-least-to-hear-red-see-sepak-IMG_0273.jpg?resize=248%2C300&amp;ssl=1 248w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/One-ought-everyday-at-least-to-hear-red-see-sepak-IMG_0273.jpg?resize=848%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 848w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/One-ought-everyday-at-least-to-hear-red-see-sepak-IMG_0273.jpg?resize=768%2C927&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/One-ought-everyday-at-least-to-hear-red-see-sepak-IMG_0273.jpg?resize=624%2C753&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/One-ought-everyday-at-least-to-hear-red-see-sepak-IMG_0273.jpg?w=1224&amp;ssl=1 1224w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1139\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Quilt by Rita Cupano of The Cherry Hat<\/p><\/div>\r\n<p>We have updated an older post originally geared at helping parents \u2018maintain a Montessori mindset in the summer\u2019. Many of the same ideas hold true during this very strange and unsettling pandemic where families must adapt to home learning while schools are closed. It is our hope that your family may find some helpful hints and techniques to try at home as you work to find the best balance for family home life while integrating school activities. Fortunately, we have always maintained that Montessori is more than \u2018school\u2019 and is really more a way of life! We continue to wish everyone well and will remain a support in the best way that we can.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>To help maintain a \u2018Montessori mindset\u201d throughout this \u2018new normal\u2019, there are a few things that parents can do.\u00a0 A good place to start is by following the example of Montessori teachers who take great care in <em>preparing their classroom environments<\/em>, <em>upholding expectations<\/em> for everyone in the classroom community, and <em>following the children\u2019s lead<\/em> as their interests and needs come into focus. With a little planning, you can create a bridge between what your child has been doing in his or her Montessori school environment and your own home during these days of home learning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>First: Prepare your environment.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Keep an assortment of activities available for your child to use during the \u2018down times\u2019 of the day when chores are finished and activities are not planned.\u00a0 Items should be placed where the children can reach them, and a child-sized work area should be established.\u00a0 This allows your child to make decisions about what to do with his or her free time and to be able to do things independently, without mom, dad, or a caregiver having to participate at all times.\u00a0 To help you begin, think about the places where you and your child spend the most time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em>In the Kitchen<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You might consider designating a shelf in your kitchen to hold activities such as:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>An art box with child-safe scissors, scrap paper, colored pencils, leaves, ribbons, buttons, glue sticks, and a tablemat encourages children to create imaginative collages.\u00a0 <\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Small pitchers and a collection of cups provide opportunities for practice with pouring dry ingredients (like beans and rice) or liquids.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>A large, deep tray or dish filled with sand or salt along with seashells, a small rake, and pretty stones invites your child to design ever-changing paths in his or her own miniature Zen garden.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em>In the Family Room<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>A basket of books in a cozy corner with pillows and good lighting invites children to spend some time each day in the company of good books.\u00a0 <\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Recycled items in a basket become building materials where children construct rockets, sculptures, or skyscrapers.\u00a0 Save tissue boxes, oatmeal containers, paper towel tubes, empty water bottles, and other \u2018trash\u2019 items for inventive uses<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>A collection of objects (marbles, coins, cotton balls) and number cards offer practice in matching quantities to the numbers.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Also, rotating puzzles, matching cards, counting activities, and favorite toys every few weeks keeps things interesting and fresh, as children choose which activities they would like to do.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong><em>In the Backyard<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Don\u2019t forget to prepare things in a space outside, too!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>On warmer days, a bucket with fresh water alongside sponges and paintbrushes might inspire your child to wash the deck or outdoor furniture.\u00a0 <\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>A tray with bubble-making supplies and unusual bubble blowers such as funnels, rope tied into a circle, and a slotted spoon put a new twist on an old favorite activity.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>A container garden with a watering can and weeding gloves helps your child take responsibility for the care of plants.\u00a0 Consider herbs that smell good and that may be used in cooking!<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>A butterfly net and bug viewer might be kept together for children to investigate how animals behave in your backyard.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It may take a little time and creativity to collect household items to use for the activities, but this preparation of your home environment is worth the effort.\u00a0 And it needn\u2019t be expensive.\u00a0 You can easily use items you already have available around the house.\u00a0 After you have your prepared environment, show your children what activities are available, where they may do their work, and what to do when they are finished using the materials, just like their teachers do at school. \u00a0Then, let them enjoy the freedom to choose their work and play!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Second: Uphold your expectations that your children are contributing members of daily family life.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In a Montessori classroom, children learn to respect themselves, others, and the environment.\u00a0 They know that everyone has responsibilities and that the classroom community relies on everyone contributing and doing his or her job.\u00a0 Parents are fully aware that just because everyone is now together at home all day every day doesn\u2019t mean that families are on a \u2018vacation\u2019 from the usual day-to-day responsibilities of cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc.\u00a0 So, while your children are at home, be sure to include them in these necessary daily chores.\u00a0 They will be happy to show off the Practical Life skills that they have been developing thus far this school year!\u00a0 Have your children help with age-appropriate tasks such as:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>Setting the table<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Sorting laundry<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Sweeping the front walkway<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Assisting with mealtime food preparation<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Scrubbing the back deck with sponges and soapy water <\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Not only does upholding your expectations allow them to practice their skills, but it also confirms that your children (and the work that they do) are important.\u00a0 That is a very motivating feeling!\u00a0 Patience on the part of the parent is essential for helping your child to grow in his or her mastery of these skills, so give your children time to complete their work to the best of their ability, which will result in a great sense of accomplishment (and in all likelihood, a much more willing little household helper!).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Finally: Challenge yourself to \u201c<em>follow the child<\/em>\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In Montessori classrooms, teachers learn to \u2018<em>follow the child\u2019<\/em>, and now is an opportune time for parents to try to do the same.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But first, what does it mean to \u201cfollow the child\u201d?\u00a0 At its essence, it means to observe your child and to open the doors that your child is knocking on with his or her questions, interests, and behaviors.\u00a0 As your child chooses activities around the house, you might pay attention to which ones he or she chooses over and over again and which ones are left to collect dust.\u00a0 The toys and games being used most often are certainly drawing your child\u2019s attention, and you can try to uncover just what it is about these things that intrigue your child.\u00a0 Maybe he or she is drawn to everything decorated with bugs and dinosaurs.\u00a0 Well, there\u2019s the door waiting to be opened\u2014take some virtual field trips online and look at museums specializing in your child\u2019s interests or search online for YouTube videos of experiments, book read-alouds, or other resources where together you can discover more of what your child is keen on learning about.\u00a0 Or maybe you observe that the most repeated activities are those where your child feels most challenged or most relaxed, and that is what keeps him or her coming back again and again.\u00a0 Stand back as your child works and plays.\u00a0 What do you notice?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Equally important are those children\u2019s items around the house that are collecting dust.\u00a0 Is your child-size easel always clean and bare?\u00a0 Maybe your child doesn\u2019t know what to do with it.\u00a0 Perhaps a fresh supply of watercolors or different sizes of paper or brushes might inspire a new or renewed interest in art.\u00a0 Again, an online tour of a gallery or online art activities might open a new door to artistic expression for your child.\u00a0 By quietly observing your child, you can get some great insights into his or her interests, as well as his or her needs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Following the child doesn\u2019t mean that you can\u2019t also offer suggestions for activities you might like to do together during this time.\u00a0 And if <em>you<\/em> have a special interest, share it with your children.\u00a0 Astronomy?\u00a0 Gaze at the nighttime sky and try to identify different constellations.\u00a0 Read the myths behind their names and visit an online planetarium to learn even more.\u00a0 These experiences nurture your children\u2019s natural curiosity and provide them with ways to extend their learning beyond books and into the \u2018real world\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Other ideas for following your child\u2019s interests and expanding your child\u2019s home learning experiences include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>Exploring the outdoors&#8211;look for animal tracks, build fairy houses, and learn what types of trees and plants are growing in your backyard.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Going on virtual trips.\u00a0 There are many famous historical sites and museums rich in culture, art, and nature that are offering online tours for free!<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Looking at maps and planning routes for any travel adventures you might like to go on the future.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<li><em>Inviting your children to brainstorm what charitable acts they could do to help others.<\/em>\u00a0 Even though we are to practice \u2018social distancing\u2019, this could be a great time to plan for things to do in the future or creatively brainstorm what can be done while being physically distant from others. What about videotaping your child reading stories and emailing those video links to family, friends, or neighbors to stay in touch?\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Together you can choose do-able options from this list. \u00a0Then let your child outline a plan and put it into action.\u00a0 But remember to stand back and observe your children\u2019s efforts\u2014you will be amazed by what they think and at what they can do when you trust yourself to follow their lead!<\/p>\r\n<p>With a little preparation, patience, and a \u201cMontessori mindset\u201d, you can provide your child with fulfilling activities that reinforce the skills he or she has gained in the actual classroom.\u00a0 Hopefully, this and the guidance of our teachers and staff can assist you in navigating through the home learning experience until everyone can return to school. At that time, we\u2019ll look forward to hearing about everyone\u2019s home adventures!<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We have updated an older post originally geared at helping parents \u2018maintain a Montessori mindset in the summer\u2019. Many of the same ideas hold true during this very strange and unsettling pandemic where families must adapt to home learning while schools are closed. It is our hope that your family may find some helpful hints [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[1],"tags":[144,54,78,145,147],"coauthors":[13],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7icff-il","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":831,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/29\/believing-in-growing-montessori-minds\/","url_meta":{"origin":1137,"position":0},"title":"Believing in Growing Montessori Minds","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"March 29, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Alex Chiu \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Montessori Practical Life - Pouring Exercises We continuously hear new buzzwords regarding child development, education, and personal growth, and one buzz in recent years has been about \u201cfixed mindsets\u201d vs. \u201cgrowth mindsets\u201d. In their simplest terms, a \u2018fixed mindset\u2019 is the belief that your intelligence and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"benefits of Montessori\"","block_context":{"text":"benefits of Montessori","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/tag\/benefits-of-montessori\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/one-to-one-pouring-e1553863653731-225x300.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":263,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/29\/montessori-around-the-world\/","url_meta":{"origin":1137,"position":1},"title":"Montessori Around the World","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"September 29, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Last spring, Montessori education made international headlines when the United Kingdom\u2019s Prince George was enrolled at a Montessori school in England. George\u2019s family has a history with Montessori education; his late grandmother, Princess Diana, worked in a Montessori school as a young woman. Diana later sent her sons, Prince William\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Montessori Philosophy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Montessori Philosophy","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/montessori-philosophy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Montessori Childrens Academy NJ","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Camilla-Patch-1.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Camilla-Patch-1.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Camilla-Patch-1.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1425,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/08\/the-montessori-movement-comes-to-america-a-brief-history\/","url_meta":{"origin":1137,"position":2},"title":"The Montessori Movement Comes to America:               A Brief History","author":"Tori Inkley","date":"March 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Camilla Nichols, Senior Director of Montessori Developmentand Tori Inkley, Executive Director The very first official Montessori training course was held in Rome, Italy in 1913. While the course attracted international attendees, the majority were from America. Maria Montessori taught the theory lessons in Italian at her home and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Early Child Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_1358.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":461,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/23\/moving-on-from-montessori\/","url_meta":{"origin":1137,"position":3},"title":"Moving on from Montessori","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"May 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The Montessori Early Childhood model promotes children joining the classroom at age three (or younger in some schools) and staying through the end of the kindergarten year (or age six). There are many benefits to following this course, as children become part of a school-family community, build on and develop\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Montessori Elementary&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Montessori Elementary","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/montessori-elementary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Montessori Elementary","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Moving-on-from-Montessori.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Moving-on-from-Montessori.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Moving-on-from-Montessori.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Moving-on-from-Montessori.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Moving-on-from-Montessori.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":806,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/06\/celebrating-montessori-education-week-at-mca\/","url_meta":{"origin":1137,"position":4},"title":"Celebrating Montessori Education Week at MCA!","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"March 6, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Alex Chiu \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 A sampling of MCA student projects on display at local libraries for Montessori Education Week We at The Montessori Children\u2019s Academy celebrate Montessori education each and every day, but for one week out of the year, we join together with schools from around\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Early Child Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":603,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/14\/reflections-at-the-montessori-childrens-academy\/","url_meta":{"origin":1137,"position":5},"title":"Reflections at The Montessori Children&#8217;s Academy","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"January 14, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"As we enter this new year, we thought we\u2019d take a look back at just some of the MCA special events and highlights from September through December. In just a few short months, the children have experienced so much both inside and outside of the classroom. Reflecting upon the fall\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Early Child Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/FIREFIGHTER-VISIT-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1137"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1137"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1142,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1137\/revisions\/1142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1137"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}