• 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

Teach by teaching, not by correcting

Ever been curious about what Montessori teachers talk about when they get together? I can assure you we have some pretty fun conversations and we lose track of time.

When Jesse McCarthy of Montessori Education and I got to meet up when I was in the US recently, 2.5+ hours flew by. We thought that maybe you’d find it fun to hear the kind of things we were talking about and recorded a few interesting topics one Saturday morning when I was back in Amsterdam, this time via Skype.

Teach by teaching, not by correcting

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you might remember this phrase we like to use in Montessori, “teach by teaching, not by correcting.”

So when Jesse and I started discussing the question how much do you let the child lead and when do you step in to correct them, this is the phrase that came into my head.

Let’s say a child is using an activity or object in a way that it wasn’t intended. For example, using a watering can to fill a bucket rather than to water a plant.

As long as it is safe and they aren’t hurting themselves, someone else, or the environment (the classroom, home or nature), then I don’t step in to correct them. At this point, I’m choosing to preserve their concentration and focus. Then I make a mental note to show them at a later neutral moment how to give water to the plants.

Teach by teaching, not by correcting.

They will be much more receptive to hearing how to use the watering can (teaching), rather than if I step in immediately to tell them they are doing something wrong (correcting).

On the other hand, if they are hurting themselves, someone else or the environment, I will step in to set a kind and clear limit. “It’s my job to keep everyone safe. Would you like to use the broom for sweeping? Or we can put it back on its hook.”

This is a fun discussion. I hope you enjoy it.

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