Incorporating The Montessori Method into Your Daily Life with Berenice Saint Saens
Berenice Saint Saens was raised in Louisiana and France and studied Russian History in University.
While in college, she worked in the Ural Mountains for Russian summer camp for orphans and underprivileged children of the region for six months. After graduating, she joined the Peace Corps and lived and served as a youth development volunteer in a rural village in Morocco for two and a half years.
After returning to the United States, she recognized that her passion was with, not only young children, but also their families and other educators. She realized the importance of a child’s first year of life, the impact it has on shaping their entire self and life, and the need to spread this knowledge to others.
She then discovered Montessori, received her International Montessori teacher certification and M.E.D. and has helped guide children 0-3 years old ad their families. She works with Monti Kids to support families and their children during the most fundemental years of a child’s development. She is also a trained Doula.
The Unspoken Topic
- Incorporating Montessori education into your child’s life develops a strong foundation for them to become a contributing and successful member of society.
What We Cover
- The benefits of Montessori education.
- How to set your house up Montessori style.
- What happens when you start Montessori at an early age.
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Key Takeaways
- Montessori is education for life.
- Dr. Montessori was the first woman doctor in Italy.
- Children experience life through their senses and hands.
- Children’s experiences also shape them for later in life, so if you give them the right experiences at the right time, you are setting them up for life.
- Through repetition, children gain concentration.
- Children need 6-8 toys at a time. Rotate them ever 2-3 weeks.
- Active toys are the toys that light up and make noise. They are made to entertain your child, not necessarily think.
- Passive toys, like the ones used in Montessori, are toys where the child needs to use her senses and have to work with her hands.
- Offer choices and avoid asking yes or no questions to avoid conflicts with children.
- Montessori is child-led. The environment is prepared by the adult.
Actionable Solutions
How to Set Up Your Home based on Montessori
Look at how your house is set up, and put as many things as you can at the eye-level of your child.
- In the entryway: Put a small shelf and a stool for them to put their belongs and a place to sit to put on and take off their shoes.
- Living space/ play area: hang a low hanging shelf to add 6-8 toys on. If space is limited, clear the bottom of a coffee table or unhinge a cupboard and use that as a shelf for the children to put their toys.
- Kitchen: Get a learning tower so they can climb it to use the counter and help prepare food. Get a small table they can get in and out of.
- Bedroom: Floor bed and a dresser with 1-2 options per piece they can choose to wear.
- Bathroom: Independent toilet they can get in and out of. Stool to reach the sink.
- Outdoor: Water can to help water plants, small broom and mop to help with chores.
Mama Has a Minute
- Favorite form of self-care: Yoga and taking a break.
- Share your favorite book and why: How to Talk so Kids Will Listen.
- What motherhood means to you: Motherhood is the power of strength of women in action.
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Action Steps For *You*
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