Providing limits and structure with clear, consistent and appropriate expectations, guidelines, feedback, and enforcement/follow-through helps your child feel more secure and fosters their independence. Rules provide structure and should be consistent with the parent's values so enforcement will not be problematic. A child should be presented with advanced warning of changes, either to limits or circumstances which may lead to an act of parental enforcement. When not adhering to established limits, a child should be given choices regarding how to proceed and a firm but kind stance in the enforcement procedure. Stop your child's disorderly behavior and redirect their energy whenever it arises. Remember to be firm but kind and do not shame or humiliate the child. At this age, this can often be done by distracting the child and diverting their attention. Expect them to test the limits and try not to take anything personally. As your child develops, make sure that the rules and limits reflect those changes.
Maria Montessori stresses the importance of allowing children to complete tasks on their own. Honor your child's work, ability to focus on details, and growing concentration by not correcting or interrupting them. Interrupting a child's focus can create an increased dependence on adults and a loss of confidence in their abilities. Try offering help only if necessary and don't explain things in too much detail. Your child is in the sensorial period of learning which is optimized through hands on experience.
Provide unconditional love while avoiding rewards and punishments. Your child's self-esteem will benefits from you expressions of gratitude and appreciation for their productive behavior, activities, and work. You child will also learn from comments about natural consequences of their actions. Be careful not to talk to others in their presence as though they are not there. Allow your child to answer the questions that are presented to them by others as well as questions concerning you child that are asked in his presence (assuming they address matters that the child is able to answer).
Offer more freedom with more responsibility. As your child's motor skills improve and allow for greater participation in your daily life, slowly offer them more freedom. Observe you child in a controlled environment as they work. If your child is disorderly in their work, put it away until you determine that he child is ready (this may be weeks or months). Note that with new work comes new responsibility. Make sure to communicate these changes to your child. When given freedom, a child is faced with choices. This is a vital component in the formation of a child's intellect. Believe in your child's abilities and their internal process. Treat errors kindly. Mistakes and accidents are usually signs that your child is practicing new skills or testing his limits. Being understanding towards their errors encourages them to keep trying.
Maria Montessori stresses the importance of allowing children to complete tasks on their own. Honor your child's work, ability to focus on details, and growing concentration by not correcting or interrupting them. Interrupting a child's focus can create an increased dependence on adults and a loss of confidence in their abilities. Try offering help only if necessary and don't explain things in too much detail. Your child is in the sensorial period of learning which is optimized through hands on experience.
Provide unconditional love while avoiding rewards and punishments. Your child's self-esteem will benefits from you expressions of gratitude and appreciation for their productive behavior, activities, and work. You child will also learn from comments about natural consequences of their actions. Be careful not to talk to others in their presence as though they are not there. Allow your child to answer the questions that are presented to them by others as well as questions concerning you child that are asked in his presence (assuming they address matters that the child is able to answer).
Offer more freedom with more responsibility. As your child's motor skills improve and allow for greater participation in your daily life, slowly offer them more freedom. Observe you child in a controlled environment as they work. If your child is disorderly in their work, put it away until you determine that he child is ready (this may be weeks or months). Note that with new work comes new responsibility. Make sure to communicate these changes to your child. When given freedom, a child is faced with choices. This is a vital component in the formation of a child's intellect. Believe in your child's abilities and their internal process. Treat errors kindly. Mistakes and accidents are usually signs that your child is practicing new skills or testing his limits. Being understanding towards their errors encourages them to keep trying.