Following are the unique features that Montessori materials/toys have that help develop 21st-century skills early on through play:
- Self-correctional or inbuilt control of error: that helps a child self-identify through trial and error the correct solution that helps to build self-confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
- Purposeful activities using movement and exploration that develop fine & gross motor skills essential for extracurricular activities like playing music or sport.
- Hands-on 21st-century skills as children develop a love for learning from within and become lifelong learners.
- Avenues for repetition that keep a child focused and engaged for long stretches of time.
- Isolate one concept or skill to avoid distraction and develop concentration.
- Aesthetic and engaging as little children are naturally attracted to beauty and order.
- Practical life activities that help develop physical strength, confidence, and thereby independence through Montessori way of learning strategies.
- Simplify abstract concepts and build the STEM fundamentals necessary for academic success.
- The inbuilt repetition design in the material nurtures the child to be patient and persevere, setting them up for future success.
The little moments that enable you to instil respect, care, and love for each other and the environment are often more important than all the toys in the world.
These 21st-century skills are highly coveted and indispensable to flourish in the current era both in professional and personal life. Children are more flexible and adaptable; hence it is easy to instil a quality of resilience in them from early on. Children are also proactive learners. A system that does not force-feed information but allows them to explore and learn can transform them into self-starters. Our children need these building blocks for seamless integration into the digital world of the 21st century.
Montessori materials/toys go hand in hand with how children learn naturally, allowing 21st-century skills to develop. But Montessori learning is also about moments! These moments also allow parents to connect, teach, and learn from their children. The little moments that enable you to instil respect, care, and love for each other and the environment are often more important than all the toys in the world.
Some fun ways to impart 21st-century skills through play
Here are some ways through which you can make learning fun and knowledgeable at the same time:
Example 1
Parent: It’s time to clean up the living room together.
Child: But I don’t like cleaning!
Parent: Let’s make it fun. We can play some music while we tidy up. (Problem-Solving)
Example 2
Child: I want to touch the butterfly!
Parent: They are delicate, and touching them might scare them away or harm them. Let’s observe them up close without touching them. (Care for Nature and Negotiation)
Example 3
Child: I finished my part quickly. Can I go play now?
Parent: I see you worked hard, and I appreciate your effort. Let’s finish the rest together, and then you can have some playtime. (Grace, Courtesy, and Respect)
Example 4
Child: I want to help.
Parent: You can help with wiping the table so we all have a clean space to eat. (Inclusion and Practical life activity)
Still thinking?
As Parents and guides of our children, it’s imperative we channel our efforts into helping children develop the fundamentals upon which all learning is based. Whether or not you have access to and can send your child to a full-fledged Montessori school is not important. It is more important to note that with simple steps, you can introduce the Montessori way of learning in your home that develops children holistically into more than just reservoirs of knowledge!
Rote learning and force-feeding information can create knowledge, but knowledge is only potential power. Action on that knowledge allows the potential to unleash. Montessori learning is action-oriented, encouraging children to learn 21st-century skills they must use with all their senses. Montessori learning is an investment in your child’s future, where every element contributes to their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. What can be better learning than this, and what better way to prepare our children for the 21st century?
Originally published here.
Visit the Nino Mondo website and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
