Advanced Montessori Play Techniques: Beyond the Basics

Advanced Montessori Play Techniques: Beyond the Basics

The Montessori learning method encourages independent thinking and a love for discovery in children. Maria Montessori, the founder of the method, believed that children should have the freedom to explore at their own pace.

And by doing so, kids can learn a lot through play. Besides learning, children can practice real-life skills and develop cognitive abilities while engaging in Montessori activities. 

Little girl sitting and playing with toys in the playroom.

Clearly, ensuring that your kid is growing in an organized environment is crucial for their development. Toss in a couple of Montessori toys by age in the picture, and what do you get? A young mind ready to take on challenges in this world.

So today, we’ll discuss advanced Montessori play techniques and see all the benefits they offer.

What is The Advanced Montessori Method?

The Advanced Montessori Method goes a step further, focusing on how kids learn and grow. This method puts an accent on better toy choices, personalized learning, and understanding each child's unique development.

In a way, this method applies Montessori principles to each child individually. Most importantly, this education aims to make learning even more enjoyable for each child, which creates a stronger love for learning. 

Little girl sitting inside a cardboard house and drawing on the walls.

Five Core Components of Montessori Learning

In the eyes of Montessori, children can decide on what they want to learn and play with. And, to support them in their little endeavors, we, as parents and educators, should ensure a suitable environment for them to grow as they play.

Here are some of the core Montessori principles to help you out: 

  • Montessori-educated guides: Expert Montessori educators with proper credentials play a crucial role in ensuring Montessori methods are used the right way.
  • Dynamic age blends: Classes spanning 3 years encourage mentorship and leadership development among students. Older kids teach younger students about stuff, but they are all actually learning something.
  • Interactive Montessori tools: With specially designed Montessori toys, children can explore shapes and textures, learn about real-life activities, and practice all sorts of skills related to development in general.
  • Child-led exploration: Empowering kids to choose their own tasks increases motivation and focus on their learning journey.
  • Undisturbed sessions: Extended periods of "free choice" empower students to work independently without interruptions. This is a perfect way for children to learn without being pressured into doing something they don’t want to do. 

Advanced Montessori Techniques for Purposeful Play

As we already know, Montessori education has good effects on cognitive and social development. In that light, advanced techniques offer a more personalized approach to each kid.

Let’s see how:

1. Themed play zones: By setting up special play areas based on different themes, like science or language, children will be able to focus on one thing at a time. Most importantly, kids can engage in hands-on experience, making learning more focused.
 
2. Personal learning journals: This one is for slightly older kids. Give them their own journals to note down what they learn. It helps them reflect, set goals, and keep parents and teachers in the loop.
3. Big projects for big learning: Let kids take on long-term projects on subjects they love, like building a bunker. This will improve their critical thinking and teamwork as they tackle more complex tasks.
4. Nature time for all: Bring nature into play and learning - no matter if it's outdoor exploration or nature-inspired crafts. It adds sensory fun, connects kids to the world, and, most importantly, expands their understanding of things.
5. Fun with STEM: Add science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into play. It sparks curiosity and creativity, preparing kids for a future where these skills really matter.

As we can see, these simple tweaks to the already established Montessori method offer way more benefits.

Selecting the Right Montessori Toys

Little girl in the living room surrounded by Montessori toys.

Selecting the right kind of Montessori toys is important as these are the things that help your kids learn and grow as they play. Before you choose a toy, think about what it has to offer- in other words, what it can do for your child.

Always have these in mind:

  • Toys for practicing fine motor skills: Look for toys that your child will play with using fingers and hands. Things like Montessori Buildining Blocks or puzzles are great.
  • Critical thinking toys: Find toys that inspire your child to solve problems. This could be puzzles, memory games, or shape-sorting toys. One good example is the Montessori Sorting Puzzle.
  • Nature-inspired toys: Include toys that connect with the natural world, such as plant-growing kits or animal figurines. Nature-inspired toys encourage curiosity, and what better way for your kid to experience that than the Montessori Vegetable Set? 

Remember, the best Montessori toys are ones that are safe, capture your child's interest, and offer a chance to learn and explore.

Creating a Montessori-Inspired Environment

Setting up a good play area is important for kids to learn and have fun. First of all, it’s crucial to make the play area colorful and organized so kids get excited to explore and learn. Even if children are not likely to clean everything behind them, they love order.

When the play area is organized, it comforts children. From there, they can learn to organize things and create routines, which are important parts of their lives. The overall importance of schedules and routines is best seen in the way children act while they play. 

Montessori stacking toy in a playroom.

Apart from that, ensuring independent play in a play area is a must. Simply put, arrange things so kids can reach their toys easily. Small furniture and low shelves let kids do things on their own. This way, they can choose what they want to play with and learn independently.

In short, the place where kids play should be organized and filled with toys that promote learning. By making it exciting and natural and letting kids do things on their own, we create a happy and smart learning space. 

Conclusion:

So, let’s wrap things up, shall we?

While the basic Montessori education model focuses on promoting independence in children, the advanced techniques go a step further. These play techniques allow for the individual approach to each child, creating a special kind of program just for them.

The importance of Montessori toys and an organized environment plays a big role. Therefore, parents and educators should always look for things that help their children learn and grow rather than just having a good time.

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