Observation plays a critical role in the Montessori philosophy and is a great way to implement Montessori at home. Dr. Maria Montessori emphasized the importance of observing children closely to gain insight into their unique needs, interests, and abilities, and to provide instruction and support that meets the needs of each child. Montessori teachers observe children in their classrooms to decide which lessons and materials to present, and at home parents can observe their children to inform the toys, books, and activities their child might benefit from.
Montessori parents and teachers observe how their children work with toys, materials or activities to gain insight into their understanding and mastery of the material and to see which skills a child is currently working on. They may also observe children's interactions with others to understand their social and emotional development.
Here are some tips for parents to apply the Montessori technique of observation at home:
Set aside time to observe: Set aside a few minutes each week (or more) to simply observe your child. Put down your phone, sit back, and watch your child. You might try writing down your observations as well.
Observe without judgment: Try to observe your child's behavior objectively, without labeling it as good or bad. If you are writing down your observations, try writing what they are doing objectively, without making assumptions.
Pay attention to your child's interests and skills they're working on: Montessori philosophy emphasizes the importance of following the child's interests. Pay attention to what your child likes to do and provide them with toys, activities and books that align with their interests. If they seem to be working on a certain skill, try to present an activity or toy that targets that skill.
Observe your child's progress: Keep an eye on your child's progress in different areas such as language, motor skills, and social skills. This will help you identify areas where your child may need additional support or challenges.
Be patient: Remember that observing your child is an ongoing process, and it takes time to understand their needs and interests fully. Be patient and observe your child regularly to gain a better understanding of their development.
Observation can also be used to inform the design and layout of the environment. Parents can observe how children move around the home, which toys, books, or activities they gravitate towards, and which are underutilized. This information can be used to make adjustments to the home environment to better support their child's learning and development. Parents should also observe how accessible the home environment is for the child, such as whether the child is able to actively participate in self-care activities like washing their hands and brushing their teeth or practical life activities like setting the table or cleaning up spills. Simple additions like a bathroom stool and low hook with a towel can enable a child to experience improved independence and confidence in the home. See the post Prepared Environment for more information on this!
I try to make time for observation when Sophie is either playing independently or doing practical life or self-care tasks. Particularly when I present something new, I watch her closely to see if she is interested in the activity or task as well as if it is at the right level of challenge (not too difficult for her to complete, but also not so easy that it's boring). When I notice she is working on a certain skill or has a certain interest, such as posting (putting things in other things), I try to choose more toys and activities that target that skill. I usually end up with a combination of toys we already have and DIY's. Sometimes, observation clues me in to the fact that Sophie is not ready for that task yet! For example, when I first introduced pouring around 13 months old, she did not have enough fine motor control yet. A month or so later we tried again and she was much more ready! Other times, she just isn't interested in the toy or activity. In that case, I infer why that may be and potentially try presenting it again at another time. Being aware of sensitive periods and play schemas has also helped me understand the needs Sophie is having and the skills she is working on.
Observation is a critical component of implementing Montessori. Through regular intentional observation, parents and teachers can gain insight into a child's unique needs and abilities and provide support to help them reach their full potential.
How would you observe a baby of +/- 6 weeks old?