As a mother, you want the best for your child. You want to give them a strong foundation and the skills they need to succeed in life. That's where Montessori education comes in.

But what is Montessori education, exactly? It's an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, in the early 1900s. Montessori believed that children have a natural desire to learn, and that they learn best through hands-on, experiential activities.

The Montessori method emphasizes the importance of children's independence and self-direction in their learning. Children are given the freedom to choose their own activities and work at their own pace within a structured environment. The classroom is equipped with specially designed Montessori materials that allow children to explore and discover concepts on their own.

But the benefits of Montessori education go beyond just academics. Here are five reasons why raising your child the Montessori way can be beneficial:

1. Montessori helps children develop their full potential. The Montessori approach recognizes that every child is unique and has their own strengths and interests. By allowing children to choose their own activities and work at their own pace, they are able to develop their full potential and discover their passions. For example, if your toddler is in a phase where he/she loves putting objects into boxes, you could provide your child with toys, activities and challenges utilising this skill. 

2. Montessori fosters independence and self-motivation. In a Montessori classroom, children are given the freedom to make their own choices and take responsibility for their learning. This helps them develop independence and self-motivation, which are important skills for success in life. A way to implement this in your own house, would be to let your child get dressed independently in the morning (if it's a toddler or young child, provide 2-3 options to choose from).  Make sure the clothes are available at child's heigh, that shoes can be reached by the child independently, and that coat racks are hung low so the child can put the jacket on independently.  Any child from 2 years and up can be part of this. 

3. Montessori promotes social and emotional development. In a Montessori classroom, children of different ages work and learn together. This helps them develop social skills, cooperation, and respect for others. It also allows them to learn from and teach each other, fostering a sense of community and belonging. In your own environment, encourage playdates with children of various ages, it's surprising how much children can learn from each other across ages. 

4. Montessori encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. The Montessori approach emphasises the importance of hands-on, experiential learning. This helps children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they explore and discover concepts on their own.  Pretend that your child is saying 'help me to help myself'.  What we mean by that, if they are struggling with a task, don't fall for the temptation to complete the task. Literally sit on your hands if you have to.  But help the child to succeed by themselves. Example, a child is baking in the kitchen, and can't reach something on the counter. Don't get it for them. Give them something to stand on so they can do it themselves. 

5. Montessori promotes a love of learning. The Montessori approach values the joy of learning and encourages children to be curious and ask questions. This helps them develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

So, you're sold on the benefits of Montessori education, but you're not sure where to start? Here are five tips for getting started with Montessori at home:

1. Set up a Montessori-inspired environment. Create a designated space for your child to work and learn, with a variety of age-appropriate materials and activities. This can be as simple as a shelf with a few Montessori materials. Go for natural materials, avoid battery toys, and if you have open ended toys to start with, that's great!

2. Encourage independence and self-direction. Allow your child to make their own choices and take responsibility for their learning. This might mean letting them choose their own activities or setting up a work schedule for them to follow.

3. Provide opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning. Montessori materials are designed to allow children to explore and discover concepts on their own. Look for materials that allow your child to manipulate and explore, such as puzzles, sorting games, and counting materials.

4. Respect your child's interests and learning style. Every child is unique and learns in their own way. Pay attention to your child.