MRA’s Elementary 2 teacher Miss Jaclyn offers her reflections on the following video of a Montessori morning routine.
As I was watching the above video, I was reminded just how independent a child can be. Of course it might not come all at once – as it is evident that this child has learned many skills that have been incorporated into his daily routine – but it can be done one step at a time. Montessori said “The child has to acquire physical independence by being self-sufficient; he must become of independent will by using in freedom his own power of choice; he must become capable of independent thought by working alone without interruption. The child’s development follows a path of successive stages of independence, and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behaviour towards him.” ( Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, p. 257)
Physical independence starts by learning a skill. It is through the repeated practice that the child can work toward more and more independence. It is clear that this child has had the opportunity to repeat this routine every day, and it will likely allow the child’s day to begin on a positive trajectory. “The child realizes that through his own efforts he can be independent and achieve things he has set his mind to.” (Maria Montessori, Citizen of the World, p. 34)
You might also notice in the video that there is a very limited amount of adult interaction in the routine. Giving this independence can be very hard for adults who are always in a rush to do things for the child without even thinking about how that action can actually become an obstacle in the child’s natural development. In the classroom we follow the model the adult shows, do it together, and then the child does it on their own. This is how to build the skills of independence, at first you model to the child the morning routine (which is happening long before they are ready to do it themselves.) Then you will be helping your child to get ready, which helps teach the muscles what to do, and finally, they have the skills to do it themselves.
So what can you do to foster this independence? The number one thing we say is to give the child extra time (all ages can benefot from this!), which might mean waking up earlier, but in the end it will be worth it. Extra time allows the child to wake up a bit more naturally, rather than being rushed from the get go. Then start building the morning routine. A set of visual cues is a great way to help your child be independent without needing you. You can find a set here that you can customize to what works best for your family and the skills that your child already has.
A Toddler can:
- Choose an outfit to wear from 2 choices
- Get dressed: pull on underwear, pants, shirt, socks and shoes (clothing can include zippers, Velcro, large buttons)
- Put pajamas in laundry basket
- Make their bed
- Brush their teeth
- Brush their own hair
- Get out place setting and put it in the sink or dishwasher when done eating
A Children’s House aged child can do all of the above, and can add the following skills:
- Help to plan a weekly wardrobe to increase the number of choices (by this age, the clothing can include zippers, Velcro, snaps, and buttons
- Carry a laundry basket to the laundry room, help put laundry into the washer, fold towels and washcloths
- Bathe self with help to remove shampoo
By the time the child has reached Elementary, they can continue making their morning easier by preplanning the night before:
- Pick out an outfit from all choices in their closet
- Plan, prepare, and pack their own lunchbox with a healthy lunch and snack
- Sort out laundry, use the washing machine and dishwasher effectively
- Bathe selves independently 2-3 times per week.
I’ve had former parents who said, “My sister can’t believe my kids can do all this at such an early age.” Their reply was “I’ve taught them how to do it for themselves and they do it without me, but it didn’t happen overnight.” I’ve had another parent who said, “I don’t make lunches for my child in the morning, I make them pack their own lunch.” It is true that with a few options available, children of any age can start to make those choices and be successful in getting themselves ready for school each day.
I’ll leave you with this final quote from Montessori in Citizen of the World: “Help me to do it myself,” which is what every single child is really asking for.
To learn more about Montessori education and see our classrooms in action, schedule a tour of Montessori Renaissance Academy.
