• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Montessori Notebook

The place to learn everything about Montessori at home in easy-to-follow, simple steps for busy parents and caregivers. Whether you are new to Montessori or have been using Montessori for a while, you will come away with practical ideas you can try today and use in your daily life.

  • The Montessori Notebook
  • Home
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • Online courses
    • 4-WEEK E-COURSE Setting up your home Montessori-style
    • 2-HOUR ONLINE WORKSHOPS
    • 2-WEEK BOOTCAMP Setting up a Montessori playgroup
    • Which course should I follow?
  • Free resources
  • Blog
  • About
    • Giving Back
    • Contact
  • Login
    • Login
    • Support

Musings on the absorbent mind

Today I’m planning something a little different for this blog post. Usually I offer advice and practical suggestions on ways to get cooperation from your children, or how to understand your child better.

Today I’d just like to muse a bit. Ok with you? I’m curious if this will resonate with you in any way.

musings on the absorbent mind

We often find ourselves saying children are just like sponges.

Dr Montessori had exactly the same idea. And coined the term “absorbent mind” for children from 0 to 6 years.

You didn’t learn your native tongue by your mother sitting you down and giving you grammar lessons while she was changing your diaper. You absorb these through daily communication with those around you.

You took in everything in your environment – the good and the bad. Just as a sponge takes in water whether clear or dirty.

We are conscious of not swearing in front of kids because they’ll pick it up from us.

But are we conscious of how we are in the world?

* Do we express gratitude? Or do we complain a lot?
* Do we forgive others? Or do we hold a grudge?
* Do we offer help without being asked? Or do we expect others to help us?
* Do we take responsibility? Or blame others?

We are busy thinking “how can I get my child to cooperate”?

But maybe we should be thinking “how can I be in the world in a way that will be absorbed by my child?”

It’s hard to see your children not accept parts of themselves. And then realise that you have exactly the same insecurities. I tell you, they really are absorbing everything.

I could write, “be warned”.

But rather, I’d like to encourage us to see it as an opportunity.

* Use rich language for our children to absorb
* Expose them to a bilingual or multilingual environment for them to absorb language
* Have beautiful things in our homes so our children absorb beauty around them
* Give order to things in our homes so our children will absorb the order and know where things can be found
* Set intentions for our day every morning to help us live more consciously
* And, where needed, change things so our children do as we say AND as we do

The absorbent mind is a beautiful thing. Let’s enjoy it.

And when we get it wrong, our children can always learn to absorb how we make amends.

Most popular posts

1. Get your free Montessori routine cards
2. Free 44-page PDF of Montessori activities for babies, toddlers and preschoolers
3. A Montessori approach to toilet training
4. My top Ikea picks for Montessori children
5. Dealing with tantrums

Most recent posts

  • Getting kids to help at home
  • How to help a dysregulated child
  • My favourite Montessori colour activities 🌈✨
  • Montessori and screens
  • Redefining peace education

Primary Sidebar

Follow me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Receive lots of Montessori inspiration to your inbox

Search this site

Easy to follow + affordable online workshops

 

The Montessori Toddler book, by Simone Davies


– NOW AVAILABLE IN AMAZON AND ANY BOOKSELLER –
* Learn to understand your toddler better
* Find alternatives to time out and help them become responsible humans
* Get rid of the chaos and set up cosy spaces at home
* Create beautiful Montessori activities for their age
* And more…
<<< MORE INFO HERE >>>

The Montessori Baby book, by Simone Davies and Junnifa Uzodike


– NOW AVAILABLE IN AMAZON AND ANY BOOKSELLER –

* Help you bring Montessori into your home from conception, birth and the first year
* Learn how to show your baby respect the Montessori way
* Set up your home for your baby with a lot less than you think
* See how capable your baby is and learn to follow their interests and timeline
* And more…
<<< MORE INFO HERE >>>

© 2015–2023 The Montessori Notebook for Jacaranda Tree Montessori B.V.

kvk no. 87544784 btw NL827166898B01