5 Simple Montessori Summer Learning Tips for Parents

Montessori Preschool Techniques that Promote Summer Discovery and Fun

Children are inherently curious about their world. They’re little sponges, ready to soak up new truths and find joy in what they’re learning. Parents can do a lot to encourage their child’s learning during the summer months. Montessori techniques are great for making summer discovery entertaining.

There are many reasons to adapt Montessori preschool and primary techniques at home this summer:

Wellness

Your child will stay active in a good way, promoting positive intellectual, emotional and physical health.

Self-Assuredness

The more your child intentionally masters practical skills and their daily environment, the easier it is for them to feel a sense of competence and confidence.

Success in School

Children often forget the skills they learned in school because they don’t practice them during the summer. By encouraging your son or daughter to absorb new skills and knowledge, you help instill a love for learning that will benefit them when they’re back in class.

1. Follow Your Child’s Lead

The Montessori principle of “following the child” is ideal for times when your child is not in classes. During the summer especially, your son or daughter will let you know what is drawing their attention. For example:

• Are they particularly intrigued by nature shows on TV?
• Do they ask endless questions about the bugs they’re watching on the back deck?
• Have they seen you with an atlas and asked questions as you’ve planned a day trip?

Suggested activities

• As you notice what is capturing their attention, you can encourage their curiosity.
• Provide books, videos, pictures and toys that help them learn more about what has been intriguing to them.

In this way, they learn not just facts but a passion for discovery that promotes a lifetime love of learning.

2. Prepare the Environment

Another key principle in Montessori education is the idea that children learn when given opportunities to explore, experiment, and experience the world around them. Parents can tap into that natural curiosity and excitement by creating a “prepared” home environment that your child can easily navigate.

Suggested activities

You might consider how your child’s Montessori classroom looks and functions to get ideas. For example:

• Provide small chairs, tables and other appropriate child-sized furnishings.
• Make sure you have plenty of child-style tools (plastic measuring cups, paper and pencils, child scissors, etc.) so your child can work and play comfortably.
• Give your son or daughter chances to do things for themselves. When they make mistakes, rather than correcting them or doing it for them, encourage them to try again.

You can find other tips here for incorporating Montessori at home.

3. Encourage Practical Skills

Montessori preschool and primary school classes operate on the principle of teaching children how to engage successfully with their world. This includes daily activities of all kinds, which allows the child to develop competence and self-confidence, as well as a sense of responsibility and self-care. Promoting these skills at home helps your son or daughter develop the self-assuredness that will benefit them for their whole lives.

Suggested activities

• Invite them to assist you with cleaning the house.
• Let them learn to measure out kitchen ingredients, and grasp more about math at the same time.
• As they organize their room, they can appreciate the value of caring for what they have.

We’ve put together some other great ideas for finding learning opportunities all around your home.

4. Explore the Outdoors Together

Summer’s sun and warmth provide a perfect reason to get outside as often as possible. Children love nature, especially when parents enjoy it too and encourage exploration. There is so much your son or daughter can discover about how the world works when they’re out in nature. Why not let your child take the lead in what they find fascinating? That way, you can encourage their love of learning.

Suggested activities

• Have your child help water and weed the yard, so they can see for themselves how things grow and thrive.
• When they find acorns, seeds, and pinecones, invite them to do some experiments. Perhaps they can plant a seed and tend it, or leave it in the sun and see how it dries up.
• Ask them what colors and shapes they notice as they’re outside. They’ll start to realize a lot of things are green, for example, and you can talk with them about why that is.
• Have them help you fill the bird feeder and then count the different types, colors and sizes of birds they see.

5. Read Tons of Books

Children love reading, especially when parents make it a reward or a fun activity. If you’re excited to read with your child, then your son or daughter will gain an appreciation for this activity too—and that’s good for their future academic and personal growth.

Suggested activities

• Get children’s books on subjects your child already loves so they can continue their discovery process.
• Model positive behavior by creating “family reading time.” Read a book yourself, while your child gets their favorite book and reads too.
• Make a game of learning letters and words. Perhaps your son or daughter can clap every time they see a word that starts with “P.” Or, invite your child to do activities based on a book’s verbs — get up and jump when they read “jump,” or laugh when they read “laugh.” The possibilities are endless, and fun!

Choose an Authentic Montessori School for Your Child

Finding a genuine Montessori preschool and primary school is vital to your child’s education. Primary Montessori Day School is accredited, with top notch teachers, beautiful classrooms, engaging academic experiences, convenient schedules, and more. Check out our reviews to discover why Rockville, MD families love it here. And schedule a tour to see for yourself the positive, enriching environment we offer.