Montessori in our home

I felt so uplifted by this video today on one of my favorite Web sites for crafting and Montessori-driven teaching ideas, I just had to share it.

Watching "Edison's Day" made me feel more at peace with some of the parenting perspectives N and I have tried to embrace for our children even though some days I feel a bit like we're veering further and further off the beaten path. Both of our children thrive in this type of child-led learning environment. I'm convinced of that more every day, but I still find myself feeling a little insecure. Lately, I've needed a message like the one in this video to find validation for choosing some of the parenting points that come along with this philosophy -- specifically "early" potty-training and making our home our primary "classroom" -- in an effort to remind myself that we're not alone in these endeavors and they have some pretty amazing results in building a sense of self worth in these small people we're raising.

Viewing this video also reminded me to take a step back, breathe and let my children tackle tasks that may end up messy or provoke fits of frustration. It also offers plenty of ideas for making parts of our home more kid-accessible. And I can always use a reminder that the more grace I have as a mother, the more confident my children become.

Know what I thought was missing from this video? Noise. Jumping. Tickling. Screeching. Running. Hugging. Loving and learning with wild abandon. I was struck by the silence and I even sensed a lack of tenderness and silliness in the way mother and father related to their child. Perhaps they edited out shots of the little boy running around with his pants off because he loves being "nakey" and maybe there just wasn't time to show the extra 15 minutes he needed to spend folded up in his mama's arms before bed. Tranquility is important in every child's day, but so is spirited play, imaginative energy and sometimes controlled chaos. I think there's plenty of room for zaniness even in a Montessori home.