Maria Montessori once wrote, “Little children, from the moment they are weaned, are making their way toward independence.”
Besides the Montessori-prepared environment that your children enjoy during their time with us, the home environment is an ideal way to nurture a child’s journey toward independence, confidence and, ultimately, a sense of freedom.
And a simple, practical and easy way to accomplish this is by giving your child the opportunity to take some responsibility at home in the form of household chores. Accomplishing daily or weekly household tasks offers your child a sense of self-directed purpose. It also fosters a stronger sense of family and contribution, which will hopefully seed a sense of altruism that they’ll carry on for the rest of their lives.
Common Chores
Your household is unique, so only you can determine what an appropriate chore, or even a set of chores, to assign your child. Some easy ones to start off with can include:
- Unloading the dishwasher
- Unloading the dryer
- Vacuuming
- Feeding the pets
- Dusting
Other Strategies from Home
Boosting confidence and fostering self-discipline are two important pillars of a Montessori education. So, if you’re undecided about exactly what type of chores you want to assign your child, why not make them part of the process?
Including your child in family decisions is another way to speed their journey toward independence and freedom. Ask your child for their ideas and input. This experience will be beneficial to your child in many ways, helping them feel they have some control over their situation.
Although you’ll of course choose chores that consider their age, safety and abilities, try and consider their input in your final decision. A child that has participated in planning feels engaged, which can only add to the many benefits of their new-found responsibilities.
Once you have your child helping you around the house, you’ll no doubt that they are filled with enthusiasm and energy. And, of course, you’ll gain two unintended perks – a clean house and more time for you!