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Montessori: Planting the Seeds of Learning

April 7, 2017 By Deb Chitwood 12 Comments

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If you haven’t seen the 12-minute video Montessori: Planting the Seeds of Learning by the Montessori Foundation, I highly recommend watching it. If you’ve seen it before, I recommend watching it again.

Montessori: Planting the Seeds of Learning

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).

How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori WayIn the video, Tim Seldin, president of the Montessori Foundation and author of How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way (book review) and other Montessorians give insight into Montessori philosophy. The video also shows children at work in a Montessori school – something I always love to watch. This isn’t a new video, but Montessori ideas never get old!

This video is great if you’re thinking about Montessori education for your child, are the parent of a Montessori student, or want ideas for teaching and/or helping your child at home.

Here’s a summary of some of the Montessori principles highlighted in the video:

  • “The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which we can sow the seeds of learning.” Maria Montessori
  • “By allowing children to develop a meaningful degree of independence and self-discipline, Montessori sets a pattern for a lifetime of good work habits and a sense of responsibility.” (narrator)
  • “People call Montessori an education for life.” (Tim Seldin)
  • “There is an atmosphere of kindness and respect in which children discover that they are capable and independent human beings.” (narrator)
  • Children have the freedom to choose materials from open shelves.
  • Children work at their own pace.
  • Classrooms often extend to the outdoors.
  • Children learn to read phonetically.
  • “Students who learn math by rote often have no real understanding or ability to put their skills to use in everyday life. Montessori students use hands-on learning materials that make abstract concepts clear and concrete.” (narrator)
  • There’s a mixed age group and children serve as tutors: “Younger children experience the daily stimulation of older role models, who in turn blossom in the responsibilities of leadership.” (narrator)
  • “The key to success for children is the preparation of the environment and the setting of clear ground rules which the children internalize.” (Mary Conroy, Montessori Educator)
  • “In an atmosphere of self-directed work, children compete only with themselves and learn not to be afraid of making mistakes.” (narrator)
  • “These children present themselves in the world with a passion for learning. They haven’t lost it.” (Tim Seldin)

Here are just a few of the activities shown in the video that you can apply at home:

  • Make lots of practical life activities available, such as transferring water with a sponge, cleaning windows with a squeegee, and caring for plants and animals.
  • Allow your child to prepare and clean up his or her own snack.
  • Punching out shapes is a popular activity in Montessori schools and can be used for any shape, including map shapes. I recommend using a safe tool for pin punching, such as Montessori Services’ wood handled puncher.
  • You can create an activity in which your child feels and identifies geometric solids.
  • Study history and world cultures.

More Montessori Video Inspiration

You’ll find lots of Montessori video help here:

Free Montessori Video Lessons Online

Free Montessori Video Lessons Online

And don’t miss the Montessori-inspired ideas (and adorableness from my Montessori granddaughter) in the Living Montessori Now YouTube channel!

What was your favorite part of the video?

Deb - Siganture

 

Montessori at Home or School - How to Teach Grace and Courtesy eBook

Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy! I’m also one of the coauthors of the book Learn with Play – 150+ Activities for Year-round Fun & Learning!

The Montessori at Home! eBook and Montessori at Home! eBook and Materials Bundle are AMAZING resources! You can learn more about them here. Buy them in the Living Montessori Now shop.

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Photo credit: Photo at top of post by Tatiana Gladskikh 

Previous article: 7th Blogiversary Giveaway – Montessori Print Shop Deluxe CD Rom Collection (ARV $800)!!!
Next article: FREE Eat-a-Rainbow Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)

Filed Under: Montessori Overview, Montessori Schools - Video Ideas and Inspiration Tagged With: Montessori, Montessori education, Montessori Foundation, Montessori philosophy, Montessori: Planting the Seeds of Learning, Tim Seldin

Previous Post: « 7th Blogiversary Giveaway – Montessori Print Shop Deluxe CD Rom Collection (ARV $800)!!!
Next Post: FREE Eat-a-Rainbow Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joy says

    February 16, 2011 at 5:06 am

    Deb, I always enjoy stopping by your place. I will definitely watch the video when I have a few minutes. I am beginning to realize that our schooling is leaning more and more towards a Montessori style of learning. I must say, I am loving it! Keep sharing all of your ideas and favorites!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Deb says

      February 16, 2011 at 7:35 pm

      Thanks, Joy! I’m excited that you’re enjoying Montessori-style homeschooling! I love sharing ideas and resources I find – and I always enjoy visiting with you! 🙂

      Reply
  2. honeybee says

    February 17, 2011 at 9:59 am

    thanks for sharing.
    Healthy Beautiful Blog.

    Reply
    • Deb says

      February 18, 2011 at 7:30 pm

      You’re welcome! I love a lot of the quotes from the video – and I always love watching Montessori in action!

      Reply
  3. Jenilee says

    February 23, 2011 at 6:31 am

    great ideas! I love the hands on learning 🙂 I want my girls to have that love of learning!!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      February 23, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Jenilee! The love of learning is definitely one of the best things children gain from Montessori. I see it in my grown-up children, who are always excited about learning something new!

      Reply
  4. Lynda says

    February 23, 2011 at 9:49 am

    Great tips Deb. Thank you for sharing them. God bless you!

    Reply
    • Deb says

      February 23, 2011 at 4:06 pm

      Thanks so much for your comment, Lynda! God bless you, too!

      Reply
  5. Amy says

    February 23, 2011 at 10:28 am

    I am going to homeschool my Little Bit. I’ve been looking at different homeschool models and Montessori keeps popping up. Thanks for the video and the tips!

    http://socialstudiesmomma.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • Deb says

      February 26, 2011 at 8:58 pm

      You’re welcome, Amy! Thanks for your comment! Have fun on your homeschool adventure! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Cozy says

    April 11, 2017 at 8:03 am

    Already try plant seeds, Really good idea, now we have more than 100 planted seeds! Our yard after 3 months be like a jungle

    Reply
  7. Crystal says

    April 16, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    Thank you very much for sharing and pinning our post! We’ve been following your site for few years now. I love the abundance of information you offer to parents and variety of activities for children concerning montessori principles. My son and I have learned to overcome many challenges with help from your site. I am honored. We are both grateful for your kindness. ~Crystal. You are so fun!~PJ

    Reply

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