Why Sometimes the Montessori Method Doesn’t Work

The Montessori method has become very famous in recent years. The creator was an Italian pedagogue, María Montessori, who bet from the first moment on the autonomy of children when carrying out their personal development. This is the basis of the Montessori method: the independence of children, the figure of the father or mother only as a guide, and the need to give love and understanding to the child at all times.

While it is true that the Montessori method has amply proven its usefulness , and many children have grown up following it, this is not a foolproof method that works every time. Why? Because, like all pedagogies, it must be taken into account that there is always a specific context that cannot be ignored under any circumstances. If we forget that each child is a different world, and that there are children who need more guidance than others, or that limits must always be imposed , the Montessori method could end up being a real failure.

To prevent this from happening to you, we are going to explain what are the fundamental causes that make this method fail, so that you do not fall into the same errors. So keep reading!

IT IS NECESSARY TO INFORM YOURSELF BEFORE PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

Launching into the adventure of the Montessori method without having read anything before is sheer madness . Before even considering starting it, you need to read a lot about it; It is not only valid with the information you can find on the internet, but you have to investigate a lot more, look for books and authors that could contribute a lot. That is to say: opinions of experts and specialists on the subject, and not only parents who have implemented this method. Because while it is interesting to read experiences, the opinion of the experts is essential . Don’t be in a hurry, and read a lot if you want to get this pedagogy going.

Another common mistake is that of giving more importance to the physical material than to the Montessori method itself. Yes, there are many, many things you can buy to carry out this method, but you don’t need everything. You don’t need Montessori cabinets throughout your home, or millions of specific things; look at what you already have in your home, because all this is probably useful, and your spending money unnecessary. What your child really needs is love, respect and the necessary autonomy to be able to develop at his own pace, everything else is secondary.

Of course: you will have to adapt the entire house if you want the child to be autonomous . Everything should always be at your fingertips, orderly and ready for you to use; Otherwise, you will end up feeling confused and will not be able to carry out the tasks that you have throughout the day. This is much more important than having objects considered Montessori all over the place, and it is something that your children will value very positively in the long run . Make sure that there are benches that allow them to reach the highest things, and try that nothing is at a height that could pose a danger to them.

Finally, remember that you should not set expectations that are unattainable . They are children, and they will continue to be so no matter how autonomous they begin to be ; They will need help at times, they will require your presence and that you teach them how to do according to what things. Because the Montessori method does not consist in leaving them to their free will, but in showing them the way without walking in their footsteps, letting them turn in any nook and cranny and that they are the ones who decide how to learn, at what pace and what interests them the most. If you do it the right way, you will really enjoy this method.