As a mother of two children, I always strive to find the best educational methods that will help my little ones develop naturally and creatively. Discovering Maria Montessori's philosophy of children's education turned out to be a true blessing. This innovative method allows children to independently explore the world and develop their abilities in harmony with their surroundings.

Maria Montessori's philosophy focuses on developing the individual skills of each child, enabling them to engage in self-directed learning and exploration. Instead of imposing a standard curriculum, Montessori believed that children should have the freedom to choose activities and develop their interests. Learning through this method involves active experiences and manipulation, promoting a deeper understanding and retention of the content.

Advantages of Maria Montessori's Learning Method

As I delved into the topic, I realized how much Montessori's approach resonates with me in contrast to many other teaching methods. What captivated me the most includes:

• Individual Learning Pace: The Montessori method allows each child to develop at their own pace, regardless of age or abilities.
• Active Learning: Children learn through practical experiences, manipulation, and exploration, enhancing a deeper understanding of the material.
• Focus and Concentration: Montessori accessories and toys help children develop focus and the ability to concentrate for extended periods.
• Collaboration and Independence: Montessori encourages collaboration among children and also promotes making independent choices and problem-solving.
• Sensory Development: Montessori philosophy emphasizes the development of a child's senses, positively impacting perception and cognitive abilities.
• Respecting Natural Needs: The Montessori method pays attention to the individual needs of the child, both physical and emotional.
• Creative Development: Children are encouraged to express their creativity and imagination, fostering the development of individual talents.
• Harmony Pursuit: Montessori promotes harmony between the child and the environment, contributing to a calm and positive atmosphere.
• Enjoyment of Learning: The Montessori method turns learning into a fascinating adventure rather than a burdensome duty.

By incorporating accessories in line with Montessori philosophy into a child's room, we create an environment that supports their development. You've probably heard about the iconic Montessori rainbow worth a fortune, but it's not just the rainbow that can transform your child's room into a Montessori haven.

5 Inexpensive Ways to Create a Montessori-Style Room

If you've already started searching for Montessori accessories online, I'm sure you've been shocked by their prices! I have too! That's why I decided to approach the matter with reason, and below, I'll present you with 5 elements that I placed in my boys' room to support their Montessori-style development:

• Table and Chair at the Right Height: Children need furniture adjusted to their height to work and play comfortably. You can easily find such furniture at IKEA or on Allegro.
• Drawing Board: In this simple way, we encourage the child to creatively express themselves and improve their manual skills. I bought mine at IKEA with a large roll of paper for a few złotys.
• Manipulative-Sensory Boards: These help develop a child's senses through contact with various textures, materials, and accessories. My boys could spend a lot of time playing with them. The variety of boards is enormous, and their astronomical prices motivated me to create such a board on my own (with the help of my handyman grandpa).
• Wooden Educational Toys: These toys stimulate the senses and encourage exploration. You can find a rich offer of great Montessori-inspired toys at Lidl stores. I always bought them in Lidl's online store, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. I especially recommend various human body puzzles, fishing games, or geometric puzzles of different shapes to recreate – amazing! (Even that infamous rainbow is "cheap" here ;))
• Educational Posters in Line with Montessori Philosophy: Placing posters in a child's room supports knowledge development in various areas.

Natural Learning with Educational Posters

Staying on the topic of posters, I must admit that I was in awe of how easily and unobtrusively my boys absorbed the knowledge presented on the posters through constant exposure. Comparing their achievements to peers who don't have such stimulation in their environment, I notice a significant difference. Thanks to Montessori philosophy posters, my children have the opportunity for active learning that engages all their senses. I see that their interest in mathematics, the alphabet, and geography is growing day by day. I have to replace the posters approximately every 2-3 months because they demand new ones! Fortunately, poster prices are not prohibitive, and spending around 80 zł for a set of posters every few months is still affordable. Considering that I created such a collection myself, it's almost like getting them for free ;)

Initially, I focused on posters with mathematical symbols, numbers, and geometric shapes. I wanted to show them that the world of math can be fascinating! I believe that, thanks to posters, math stops being something difficult and abstract and becomes an exciting game. I see how my children create their own combinations of numbers and solve simple math problems with enthusiasm and confidence. I think such posters encourage experimenting and acquiring skills at their own pace, influencing the development of their logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

In the second instance, my older son (3 years old) effortlessly mastered the alphabet and is now starting to read with pleasure! What I like most about this poster is the complete alphabet, including Polish letters with tails, lines, and dots, and the font used, which is the one they will encounter in the first year of school.

In the near future, we'll have posters with continents and directions in our room. I believe that, thanks to posters, learning can stop being rigid and uninteresting and become a fascinating adventure that my children embark on with joy and enthusiasm. And yours can too! I am deeply convinced of this!