Independence, freedom, order, beauty. These are all elements of the Montessori play space, and who doesn’t want these things for their child? However, sometimes adopting a Montessori approach can feel like a high bar.

Jessica Rolph, your host, is joined by Simone Davies, author of The Montessori Baby and The Montessori Toddler. She can also be found online at The Montessori Notebook, where she gives tips, answers questions, and provides workshops to parents.

Simone would argue that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing when it comes to embracing Montessori at home; there are many small ways to incorporate Montessori, practices that not only reduce clutter but also bring more ease into our daily routines with our toddlers.

Key Takeaways:

[2:06] Does Montessori’s focus on real experiences get in the way of a child’s natural inclination towards fantasy and imagination?

[4:05] How does Montessori reconcile this focus on the “real” with a child’s enthusiasm for dress up and fantasy play?

[5:18] What are the differences between Montessori at school and Montessori at home?

[6:31] How long should caregivers allow children to be immersed in self-driven tasks?

[7:44] What does it mean to be a Montessori parent? Who is Montessori for?

[8:42] What does freedom within limits look like in a Montessori home setting?

[9:28] Is there a Montessori view on discipline?

[11:14] What does “Follow the child” entail?

[13:20] What are some ways to create a “Yes space”?

[14:49] How can parents support their child’s freedom of expression and movement in a small home?

[16:02] Simone talks about how having a beautifully prepared environment can feel out of reach for some people.

[17:26] What is the best way to implement toy rotation?

[19:40] What are some ways that families can incorporate Montessori at home without spending any money?

[22:10] Jessica shares the highlights of an inspiring conversation with Simone Davies.

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