Why We Chose to Parent the Montessori Way in the Early Years

2 novembre 2023

Firstly, thanks for stumbling into our little store from the great big world wide web, at the time of writing this, i'm now a mother of a five year old boy, but I thought i'd take a look back at how we parented him when he was a toddler!

Hopefully, you might find a little insight into your parenting journey from reading a little about ours!

So.

What is Montessori Parenting?

Montessori parenting is an approach that resonates with many of us as parents, often described as a journey that's as much about the child as it is about ourselves. At its core, Montessori parenting is about fostering a child's natural curiosity, independence, and love for learning.

It's not about pushing kids to achieve specific milestones at a young age, but rather, it's about creating an environment that encourages them to explore and discover the world on their own terms. As a fellow mum, I completely understand the desire to provide our little ones with the best possible start in life.

Montessori principles emphasize child-led learning, which means allowing your child to take the lead, follow their interests, and learn at their own pace. The concept of learning through play is central, and it's amazing how much our kids can absorb when they're having fun.

Our commitment at Green Cheeks store is to bring you toys that align with these Montessori principles. We understand the importance of early childhood development, and that's why our toy collection is specially curated to facilitate your child's exploration and learning journey. What's even better? Our toys are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and made from natural materials like rubber and wood.

Starting Montessori Early

Now, to be very honest, i'd never really heard of Montessori before I became a parent. I stumbled upon the concept while trying to find educational toys for him when he was around 6 months old. And in doing so, started to read and learn more about this way of parenting. The most valuable tool that I found along my way was my bible, and handbook The Montessori Toddler, you can grab a copy at Amazon and book stores i'm sure.

We found that the methods described in this book in terms of how to talk to young children, how to engage them and how to plan activities absolutely invaluable!

"The Montessori Toddler" had been our guiding light in the wonderful, yet sometimes challenging journey of parenting a then 2-year-old. This remarkable book provided us with invaluable insights into how to talk to and engage with our little one in a way that aligns perfectly with Montessori principles. By embracing the book's teachings, we learned to respect our child's budding independence, encourage self-expression, and nurture a sense of curiosity. The result has been truly magical – not only have we witnessed our child's vocabulary and communication skills flourish, but we've also established a deeper connection with our toddler, fostering a loving, harmonious environment at home. We owe a great deal of our parenting success to the wisdom found within the pages of "The Montessori Toddler."

Our Montessori-Inspired Toy Collection

Now, Montessori isn't all about toys and play, but I was always on the hunt for engaging materials to set out for my little one, which is why in our Green Cheeks store, we take pride in our carefully selected Montessori-inspired toy collection. Our commitment to being eco-friendly is reflected in these wonderful playthings.

Whether it's stacking toys that teach fine motor skills or puzzles that stimulate problem-solving, our range is designed to help your child thrive in an environment that's safe and nurturing. Montessori toys focus on simplicity and functionality, and this is precisely what our collection embodies.

One of the standout features of our toys is their construction. They're made from wood, a timeless material that not only evokes a sense of warmth but is also durable and sustainable. We understand that parents, like us, want to provide the very best for their children, and that includes making eco-conscious choices.

With our Montessori-inspired toys, your child will be able to explore the world through play, developing essential skills, fostering creativity, and embracing independence. It's the perfect way to create a Montessori-friendly environment at home, allowing your child to learn and grow at their own pace, just as nature intended.

Play and Learning

When it comes to parenting, one of the most rewarding experiences is witnessing your child learn and grow through play. Montessori parenting places a special emphasis on the role of play in a child's development, and this is something we wholeheartedly embrace at Green Cheeks. Keep in mind, that our "toddler" phase of parenting was during the COVID19 lockdowns, so if this all sounds like a bit much - don't be hard on yourself. We had all the time in the world!

Play is a child's natural way of exploring and making sense of the world. It's their language of curiosity and creativity. This method teaches us that by allowing our children the freedom to engage in unstructured play, we're giving them the opportunity to develop essential skills, problem-solving abilities, and the self-confidence to become independent learners.

What's even more fantastic is that our Montessori-inspired toy collection aligns perfectly with these principles. From simple wooden puzzles to engaging stacking toys, our selection has been carefully curated to stimulate your child's imagination and foster skill development. These toys encourage hands-on exploration, sparking a sense of wonder and curiosity that's essential for early learning.

Our commitment to eco-friendly toys means that you can rest assured, knowing that your child's playtime is safe and sustainable. We believe in making choices that not only benefit your child but also leave a positive impact on the world they're growing up in.

So, as a fellow mum, I can attest to the transformative power of Montessori parenting and play-based learning in those early years. It's a journey filled with joy, discovery, and endless opportunities for growth, and our eco-friendly Montessori-inspired toys are here to make that journey even more special. In fact, we totally skipped the terrible twos!

Montessori at Home

Creating a Montessori-friendly environment at home is more attainable and rewarding than you might think. As parents, we understand the desire to provide our little ones with the best start in life, and that begins in the comfort of our own homes.

Montessori at home means fostering independence, encouraging curiosity, and setting the stage for your child to explore and learn in their own way. It's about creating an atmosphere that supports their natural development, even from a very young age.

One simple way to embrace Montessori at home is by carefully selecting toys that inspire open-ended play and creativity. Our Green Cheeks store offers a range of eco-friendly, non-toxic, wooden toys that align with Montessori principles. These toys are designed to stimulate your child's imagination, promote fine motor skills, and encourage problem-solving.

Additionally, consider creating designated spaces for your child's activities. Arrange toys and materials in an organized, accessible manner, allowing your child to choose what interests them and engage in self-directed play. This autonomy builds a sense of confidence and accomplishment. It's also beneficial to change these toys on a weekly basis, allowing your child to remain interested and engaged in the rotating materials provided.

Incorporating Montessori at home also involves modeling respect, patience, and gentle guidance. Your child is navigating a world of new experiences, and your support and understanding are essential. Montessori parenting values the role of the adult as a loving and respectful guide, nurturing the child's development while allowing them to lead the way.

So, whether you're setting up a play area, choosing educational toys, or simply fostering a spirit of independence, Montessori at home is an enriching journey that not only benefits your child's development but also strengthens the bond between you and your little one. It's about creating a nurturing environment where your child can thrive and discover their full potential.

The Path to Eco-Friendly Parenting

At Green Cheeks, our journey began with a strong commitment to eco-friendly parenting. We initially started as a brand offering a range of cloth nappies (diapers) when we, as parents ourselves, were looking for sustainable alternatives to reduce our environmental footprint. We knew that we wanted to make a difference, not only in our children's lives but also in the world they were growing up in.

Our cloth nappies were crafted with innovation in mind, utilizing hemp as our main absorbent material. Hemp is not only highly absorbent but also one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable choices for diapering. It's biodegradable, renewable, and requires fewer resources compared to traditional disposable options. We believed in creating products that were not only kind to our little ones but also to the planet.

From our initial journey in cloth diapering, Green Cheeks expanded into a broader realm of eco-friendly and sustainable parenting solutions. We recognized the importance of extending this eco-conscious mindset to other aspects of parenting, including the toys our children play with.

Our Montessori-inspired toy collection reflects this commitment, ensuring that every item is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and crafted from wood, just like our cloth nappies. By choosing our products, you're not only giving your child the best start in life but also contributing to a healthier and more sustainable world.

We understand the profound impact that conscious choices can have on our children's futures, and we're proud to be on this journey with you, fellow parents, as we make small changes that collectively lead to a better world for the next generation. Thank you for choosing Green Cheeks, where eco-friendly parenting is at the heart of everything we do.

In Conclusion

As we wrap up this exploration of Montessori parenting and our commitment to eco-friendly, non-toxic, and wooden toys at Green Cheeks, we invite you to take the next step in your parenting journey.

Our Green Cheeks store is your gateway to a world of eco-conscious parenting solutions that support your child's development and the planet's well-being. You'll find a carefully curated selection of Montessori-inspired toys designed to stimulate your child's imagination, foster their independence, and promote meaningful play.

We believe that every interaction, every choice, and every toy can shape the way our children grow and learn. By choosing our eco-friendly and non-toxic toys, you're not only providing the best for your child but also contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Throughout this blog, you'll find clickable images that will lead you to our Green Cheeks store, where you can explore our collection of eco-friendly Montessori-inspired toys. We're here to support you on your parenting journey, providing products that align with your values and enhance your child's development.

Thank you for considering Green Cheeks as your partner in eco-conscious parenting and Montessori-inspired learning. We look forward to being a part of your child's growth and development. Join us in creating a world where little footsteps make big impacts.