Fostering the child's autonomy is one of the fundamental pillars of Montessori education.
The child has the power to self-educate. The role of the parent is a role of guide and companion. Its main mission is to offer children a healthy environment that meets and anticipates all of their needs.
The environment, or the atmosphere » in the words of Maria Montessori, must offer him the possibility of flourishing and must adapt to his needs which evolve according to his sensitive periods.
Clothes are an important part of his environment since the child wears them every day. So, it is essential to offer him suitable clothes, that is to say in which he is comfortable and he can move freely .
It is in the movement that the child builds his psychomotor capacities. In addition, it is also wise to favor clothes that the child can more easily put on and take off by himself. the child autonomous will be more confident and active. Here is a non-exhaustive list of clothes to favor and avoid.
" Make sure to offer them clothes that are comfortable and conducive to movement. » Charlotte Chick
To promote:
- First, the elastic waist pants and the Velcro shoes are good initiatives insofar as it is easier to put them on and take them off.
- Then the open front tops and which does not go on over the head also encourages autonomy.
- However, when the child is a little older, we can favor clothes with press studs or large buttons that he can grab. Indeed, the clothes must evolve in parallel with his psychomotor development.
However, let's not forget not to add more than one difficulty at a time so as not to overwhelm the child with new learning.
" The child asks us to help him act on his own. » Maria Montessori
To avoid :
- THE dresses can impede the mobility of the child who is not yet walking, but crawling.
- In addition, the bodysuits and the overalls are no longer suitable for children who no longer wear nappies or who are learning to no longer wear them.
- Finally, the lace-up shoes are to be avoided, since they are difficult to put on alone at a young age.
Sources:
- https://www.parents.fr/bebe/eveil-et-developpement/l-evolution-de-bebe/l-aider-a-grandir/education-et-methode-montessori-comment-lapplier-a-la -house-169133#Montessori-Method
- Montessori dressing: from birth to 3 years, Charlotte Poussin, Eyrolles.