Scientific observation has established that education is not what the teacher gives; education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment. – Dr. Maria Montessori, Education For a New World
Montessori infant care begins in the first environment a child is exposed to, home. By introducing developmentally appropriate activities in the home, you begin feeding your infant’s natural desire for learning and independence. Begin easily implementing these Montessori principles at home and foster an environment of self discovery.
Self-Care Activities for Infants
Promoting gross and fine motor skills help children prepare for daily tasks or work. Activities such as moving cotton balls from one bowl to another or stacking measuring cups from smallest to largest help engage hands and eyes in your child’s need for meaningful and purposeful work. Providing these activities at home allows your child the ability to connect their learning time with their home environment.
Gross motor skill development is crucial at this time of life and there are endless ways to foster growth. Provide an environment where your child is safe and comfortable to climb, crawl, walk, and balance. Allow for child-directed exploration. Small movements accompanied with music, instruments, and voice are also valuable activities.
Benefits of Promoting Self Care in Infants
Self care is fundamental and easily promoted even at a young age. By allowing opportunities for your child to hone their fine and gross motor skills, you also will be providing them the tools they need to learn to care for themselves. Self-care instills a sense of dignity and pride, motivating young children. The goal of self care is for your child to begin to explore independence and what it looks like to care for their own needs in a self-directed manner.
As your child grows from infant to toddler, they will begin to grasp other key self-care concepts. Dressing, buttoning, tying, and folding become capable abilities. Examples of self-care stations at home may include buttoning boards, a lacing shoe for tying practice, a basket of hand towels to learn folding, a hand broom and dustpan, or beads and string. Introduce a concept once, confirm that your child can repeat the instruction, then step back and let your child perform the work uninterrupted.
Infant Care at Hill Point Montessori
The Infant and Toddler Program at Hill Point Montessori draws upon these very principles. Our well structured environment provides a loving and nurturing atmosphere for your child to succeed. Furniture is sturdy and positioned low to the ground for easy access and there are comfortable areas of play, including a quiet grassy outdoor space.
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