I've read several books so far about Montessori and I am slowly
implementing it into my routine with my son (he is 13-months-old
now)...I get a little nervous as I wonder if I'm missing those windows
of opportunity...however I don't see him ever really getting absorbed
and concentrating on any one item...And I'm having a hard time rotating
items mostly because I don't know what to rotate with as he doesn't seem
to like any thing...I also get worried that I should forgo safety and
allow him to explore--instead I feel like I'm backtracking and saying no
to things; but I try to remember that I'm a mom first and a teacher
second.
Exploring is the key for your 13-month-old
son, especially gross motor and oral (mouthing). So try to keep making
the home safe for him to explore, as well as let him mouth safe objects
that you can throw in the dishwasher!
If there are
stairs in your home, he can begin to crawl up and down them...As for
your kitchen, if you have toddler locks on the drawers and cabinets, a
few of them can be left open for him to explore, and filled with kitchen
towels and oven mitts, a few plastic bowls and containers, and salad
spoons.
As for "windows of opportunity" the truth is you will
catch most of them--and maybe not all of them--and that's OK! You
already have a head start! I've consulted many families who did not
start Montessori until age four or five (or even older). And oh, how
they regretted not starting earlier! But better late than never.
If
you feel like you are just spinning your wheels, then stop rotating for
a while, and or leave everything out (I still battle with this! We have
a small house and I still rotate...but then I often put everything out!
And I go back and forth! And there are times I can't find anything my
son is interested in! Turns out recently he was wanting to spend more
time outside so I focused more on outside activities--that, and going to
the library with him.)
As for being a mom first and a
teacher second...you will be a much happier mom, too, for doing so! (I
have to hold back the teacher in me, too!)
~Lisa Nolan AKA Lisa L Lewis
Want more Montessori for infants? Read my other infant blog posts here! Check out my affordable online Montessori for birth to 24 months here!
Photo by Haifeez on Foter.com / CC BY