A Montessori Approach to Discipline

“If we could say, ‘We are respectful and courteous in our dealing with children, we treat them as we should like to be treated ourselves,’ we should have mastered a great educational principle and be setting an example of good education.” Maria Montessori

“The first idea that the child must acquire, in order to be actively disciplined, is that of the difference between good and evil; and the task of the educator lies in seeing that the child does not confound good with immobility, and evil with activity, as often happens in the case of the old-time discipline.” Maria Montessori

A Montessori approach to discipline consists of a delicate balance between freedom and discipline. Like any part of Montessori education, it requires respect for the child.

I’d like to share some Montessori articles that give more insight into Montessori discipline, which by nature is a form of gentle/positive discipline.

Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links (at no cost to you).

Helpful Articles on a Montessori Approach to Discipline

I’ve updated this post and added more articles. To understand and absorb a Montessori approach to discipline, it’s helpful to read and re-read the basic concepts. A number of different perspectives can be helpful, too. Take time in reading and applying the Montessori ideas and techniques. A Montessori approach to discipline works both in the classroom and at home.

• On Discipline – Reflections and Advice by Dr. Maria Montessori
• The Montessori Approach to Discipline by Mary Conroy and Kitty Williams Bravo
• Liberty and Discipline in the Montessori Classroom from Montessori for Everyone
• Gluing and Redirecting Behavior in the Montessori Classroom from North American Montessori Center
• Discipline in the Montessori Classroom: Self-Discipline in Montessori and Part Two of Two— Lack of Skill or Unmet Needs, not Badness: How We Handle Discipline Problems in Montessori by Heike Larson at LePort Schools
• Montessori’s Three Levels of Obedience: Developing Self-Discipline from NAMC Montessori Teacher Training Blog
• The Montessori Approach to Discipline from the Montessori Group
• Misconception: Montessori Teachers Don’t Believe in Discipline from Montessori Answers
• Freedom and Discipline in the Montessori Classroom by Erin Salter of Mead Montessori School
• The Ten Secrets of Montessori-#8 Liberty and Discipline from Age of Montessori
• Self-Discipline in Montessori from Baan Dek
• Discipline – A Montessori Perspective from At Home with Montessori
• A Montessori Approach to Parenting and Discipline by Marie Mack at Montessori By Mom
• How to Discipline Effectively in a Montessori Environment from Carrots Are Orange
• Discipline: Four Tips from the Montessori Perspective from Guidepost Montessori
• Discipline from The Montessori Center
• 13 Montessori Quotes on Discipline from The Kavanaugh Report
• More Choices. Less Discipline by Chris Schoenherr at Montessori Rocks
• Montessori Discipline at Home from Volcano Mama
• Discipline Alternatives for the Montessori Classroom and Home by Sharon Caldwell of The Montessori Foundation
• Discipline for the Elementary Aged Child from Montessori Seeds

Freedom within Limits in Montessori Education (my post)

The Beauty of Using Montessori Principles of Freedom and Consistency (my post)

A Montessori Approach to Praise (my post)

Best Maria Montessori Quotes (my post at Bits of Positivity)

How to Manage Interruptions in Your Montessori Classroom or Homeschool (my post)

Simple Way to Teach Kids to Stop Interrupting (my post with embedded video)

How We Used Gentle Discipline in Our Homeschool (my post)

Videos on a Montessori Approach to Discipline

Here are two helpful videos on a Montessori approach to discipline by Miss Donna from Aldea Montessori School.

“Discipline in Montessori with Miss Donna (Part 1)”

“Discipline in Montessori with Miss Donna (Part 2)”

What impresses you most about discipline in Montessori?

If you’d like to know more about positive discipline (Montessori-friendly) strategies for kids 2½-teens, be sure to register for the free Positive Parenting Solutions webinar by Amy McCready!

Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!

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