Nurturing Independence in Montessori Students During the Summer Months

Ahhhh…summer! Trips to the park, the museum, the pool, the mountains, and the beach. Play dates and sleepovers. Vacations to amusement parks and national parks. Most parents and children don’t give a second thought to school, unless it is in regards to summer homework.... or unless your child is enrolled in Montessori!

This said, Montessori is not just for school. It is, at its core, a method and philosophy for teachers and parents alike that provides the positive experiences children need to have in order to develop habits and life skills that will serve them. This translates not only to children in the Montessori classroom, but well into their adult lives. Parents seek out a Montessori education for their children because they believe that it’s important for children to feel purposeful and valuable, derive satisfaction from their accomplishments, and become independent, confident adults.

So, what can you do at home over the summer to encourage and support your child’s sojourn to independence?

Nurturing Independence in Montessori Students During the Summer Months

Here are few ideas for all ages:

• Polishing: wood, brass, silver, shoes
• Setting and clearing the table
• Dishes: Washing, drying, putting away, loading & unloading the dishwasher
• Sorting and folding laundry (older children can even wash and dry it)
• Filling sugar bowl and salt and pepper shakers
• Collecting the mail and newspapers
• Washing the car
• Collecting and emptying the garbage
• Taking care of the family pet(s)
• Food preparation: slicing fruit and vegetables, mixing batter, making sandwiches, cutting out cookies
• Groceries: making grocery lists, comparison shopping, putting away groceries
• Watering plants
• Mowing and edging the grass
• Gardening
• Babysitting
• Cleaning and organizing: closets, drawers, collections

As much as possible, NAMC’s web blog reflects the Montessori curriculum as provided in its teacher training programs. We realize and respect that Montessori schools are unique and may vary their schedules and offerings in accordance with the needs of their individual communities. We hope that our readers will find our articles useful and inspiring as a contribution to the global Montessori community.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Friday, July 13, 2007.