Jul 03 , 2023

How to nurture your child’s sense of wonder

My youngsters have fully transitioned to the second plane.
 
I've been thinking about how to keep our Montessori lifestyle as a family going.
 
I was really focused on practical living and arranging their environment in the early years.
 
My children were present. As they visited my preschool, we used the Montessori materials at home or in the Montessori classroom.
 
How do we maintain Montessori ideas as our children grow, especially if we are not homeschooling?
 
You will spend more time with your children if you home school, and you will generally have less forced commitments. As a result, adopting a Montessori lifestyle may appear to be simpler. But I believe that you can be a Montessori Family regardless of your school of choice.

The key principle I adhere to is "respect":

- Consideration for my children's natural development: are they aware of this rule?  I also accept that they still struggle to manage or express their emotions (yes, 7-year-old children can have tantrums).
- Respect for their interests: I'd like my youngest to progress beyond climbing and jumping. I'm not a Harry Potter fan. However, these are my children's hobbies, therefore I encourage them.
– Respect for my children's opinions: on the second level, everything revolves on "why, negotiations, fairness, and questioning." It's draining. I am producing superb negotiators.
- Respect for their time and choices: this might be difficult to achieve while youngsters attend school. After-school activities and weekends are also important to them. Whatever decision we make must be made as a family. And, yeah, I had to give up my ambition of having a beautiful ballerina.

Things that can diminish a child's sense of wonder:
- Not having enough opportunity to play outside.
- Excessive screen time.
- Adults constantly dictating the child's play time in an attempt to educate.
- Having too many manufactured toys that don't stimulate creativity.
- Ahectic lifestyle, packed with structured activities and instant gratification.

Things that can boost a child's sense of wonder:
- Ample time to explore nature hands-on.
- Not having a particular plan or agenda when playing outside.
- Adults acting as "co-discoverers" who encourage the cjild's inquisitiveness.
- Open-ended "toys" found in nature; sticks, rocks, leaves, nuts, water, mud.
- A slow lifestyle that allows the child to become bored.