3 Montessori Myths from Instagram
Montessori has been gaining popularity on social media for years, especially on Instagram.
This has led to many common misconceptions about Montessori, especially around how the classroom functions and what you "should" be doing.
I want to highlight some of the key differences in hopes you understand one thing - you don't have to have all the right toys (materials) or the most beautiful playroom to be a Montessori family.
#1 - The Playroom
What You See Online
Social media is filled with photographs and videos of beautifully curated, neat, practically "perfect" Montessori spaces.
Reality
Montessori classrooms aren’t always neat or quiet. A Montessori classroom is a busy space filled with movement and activity. Children engage in purposeful work, but they are still children—learning through trial and error, which means mistakes happen.
The environment may start neatly organized in the morning (chairs tucked in, materials perfectly displayed) but it quickly transforms into a busy space with materials in use and children moving about. While children are guided to clean up after themselves and return materials to their proper places, this skill develops throughout the year.
Early on, materials may end up on the wrong shelves, spills might not be fully cleaned, and energy can be high during transitions.
#2 - The Wooden Toys
What You See Online
A playroom filled with wooden toys.
Reality
Montessori is an educational philosophy and not an aesthetic.
The materials in a Montessori classroom are often made of natural materials, like wood, but there is so much more to Montessori materials than those qualities, and just because something is made of wood or other natural materials doesn’t automatically mean it’s a Montessori material.
Many of the materials displayed in "Montessori spaces" online aren’t technically Montessori materials, for example: a wooden rainbow. While it is made of wood and has educational properties, this isn’t a material from the Montessori curriculum.
There is plenty of room in Montessori spaces for Montessori-aligned materials but I would caution people to do their research between authentic Montessori materials and learning materials that align with the Montessori method.
#3 - An Identical Set Up
What You See Online
Playrooms that all look the same, with the exact same toys and materials.
Reality
In classrooms, the Montessori method focuses more on the child than the learning materials. This isn’t often depicted online.
The materials on the shelves in a classroom are there as a result of the teachers observations of the children, not simply because they’re a Montessori material and "should" be on the shelves.
A Montessori motto is to "follow the child," so don't choose toys and materials just based on what's popular. Observe your child and follow their interests. This will longer, more engaged independent play.
What You Should Be Doing
Montessori at home is more of a mindset than anything. It's about encouraging independence and following the child.
This post is a really great overview on how to develop the Montessori mindset: 5 Easy Ways To Bring Montessori Into Your Home
