Why does Montessori use the term "work" instead of play?

What they’re doing, even if we observe it as ‘playing’, is important, purposeful, and building a strong foundation for their development of independence, concentration, coordination, etc.

Reframing it this way, recognizing play as ‘important work’, also helps us, the adults, to see what the children are doing as deserving of more respect.

Thinking about is this way will likely allow you to sit back more and not interfere, even if it was building a tower out of wooden beads and knocking them on the floor over and over again or driving a toy car around the carpet for 20 minutes, was teaching them something.

If an activity is holding your child’s attention, it's meaningful and important to them. They are working - to build themselves and discover the world.   

"The wise mother will remember that play time is never wasted. So long as the children are busily absorbed, they are working at their own development." - Dr. Montessori, Maria Montessori Speaks to Parents.

Smoothing The Transition to School or Daycare

Children often enjoy when the adults around them use the term 'work' to represent what they do. This is because their parents also work.

Just like practical life work (i.e sweeping, dish washing), children want to participate in the activities that the adults around them are doing.

In the mornings before school or childcare, you might say - "You go to school and do your work and I’ll go to the office and do my work." 

Reframing your child's time at school in this way can help to ease the transition into school.