Often when people hear the word Montessori, or are new to Montessori they tend to place a lot of focus and energy on the appearance of their shelves. Curating a beautiful and functional indoor space is wonderful but it is even more important to make sure you spend plenty of time outdoors! As Maria Montessori said, “Let the children be free; encourage them; let them run outside when it is raining; let them remove their shoes when they find a puddle of water; and, when the grass of the meadows is damp with dew, let them run on it and trample it with their bare feet; let them rest peacefully when a tree invites them to sleep beneath it’s shade; let them shout and laugh when the sun wakes them in the morning as it wakes every living creature that divides its day between waking and sleeping.” This quote sounds very different than the conversations often had in Montessori online communities where the focus is so often on cute tray work, and getting a child to do their activities “correctly”. When you are having a tough day with a child then head outside. It is almost guaranteed to help both you and your child feel and do better. If your child is struggling to focus then go outside, save the shelf work for after a good chunk of fresh air and freedom to make big movements. If it is really cold out then bundle up, throw some Vaseline or Burts bees on those little cheeks and go for a brief walk. If it is too hot out then bring some spray bottles, turn on a hose, or fill a big container for a makeshift pool or water transfer game. It doesn’t need to be a long time spent outside in the tough weather, but putting a bigger focus on getting outside than on the shelves can make a positive difference in everyone’s day!
