Follow the child

Every child has their own rhythm, their own passions, and their own perfect timing. An important part of the Montessori approach is observing before intervening, allowing the child to be the guide to their own education.

Montessori teachers, who are specialists in childhood development, are trained to to recognise the sensitive periods, or windows of opportunity, when a child is ready to learn specific skills, such as writing. The teacher, or guide, then introduces that skill through a series of presentations to the individual student at the precise stage when the child can absorb the information with ferver.

Montessori parents also apply this principle. Although you may not be an expert in childhood development, you are an expert in your child. You “follow the child” every time you…

• observe what spontaneously captures your child’s attention;

• don’t interrupt when they’re concentrated on an activity;

• make suggestions when they ask for help, rather than imposing a final solution;

• & respect their pace, even if it’s different from yours.

A child who is followed, rather than forced, will develop an authentic passion for learning which will accompany them their whole life long.