Starting off the Montessori preschool year with confidence and positivity is a great way to prepare your child to excel as they progress through the Montessori Curriculum. Below are five essential Montessori phrases you can use at home to help reinforce what your child is learning in the classroom, building confidence, independence, and resilience. Plus, you’ll find two bonus phrases to encourage emotional understanding and perseverance!
1. “You are making great progress.”
Montessori education focuses on intrinsic motivation and a growth mindset. Rather than praising how quickly or easily a child completes their work, you can comment on their concentration and perseverance. By emphasising your child’s effort over the outcome, you help them understand that anything is achievable with dedication and hard work.
Example Phrases
- Result Focus: “You are doing such a great job.”
- Effort Focus: “I can see that you have been concentrating so hard on your work.”
2. “That’s a great question, do you think you can work it out?”
Encouraging independence is central to Montessori education, fostering a strong sense of self. When your child asks a question, encourage them to search for the answer. Showing them they are capable of finding solutions builds confidence in their own problem-solving abilities.
Example
- Child’s Question: “Do you know where my shoe is?”
- Parent’s Answer: “Where was the last place you left it? You could begin searching there.”
3. “What do you think about your work?”
Self-reflection is an essential Montessori skill, teaching children to become their own guide. By inviting your child to evaluate their own work, you encourage them to reflect rather than seeking external approval. This supports self-awareness, creativity, and confidence in their abilities.
Example Phrases
- Approval Focus: “Your picture is beautiful.”
- Self-Analysis Focus: “What do you think about your picture? How did you decide what to draw and what colours to use?”
4. “Tell me a way that you would like me to help.”
Responsibilities are important for children’s development and understanding of community. In Montessori settings, children are encouraged to take pride in caring for their environment by tidying up, watering plants, and helping each other. If they feel overwhelmed, encourage them to seek help rather than stepping in to complete the task for them.
Example Phrases
- Taking Control: “Let me do that for you.”
- Encouraging Independence: “What part would you like help with?”
5. “It looks like you are really enjoying your work.”
Encourage your child to value the learning process by reflecting on what they enjoy about their work. This helps them learn to persevere and find meaning in what they are doing, even when they face difficulties. By focusing on the journey rather than just the result, you help build their resilience and appreciation for their efforts.
Example Phrases
- Praising Results: “You completed your work perfectly.”
- Encouraging Resilience: “Tell me about your work. What was your favourite part?”
Bonus Phrases
A. “Practice makes better.”
Skills are developed over time through practice, whether learning to write or trying a new activity. Remind your child that the effort they put in makes progress possible, helping them build resilience and persistence. Emphasise that staying consistent transforms challenging tasks into achievable ones, reinforcing a positive attitude toward learning and self-improvement.
Related Encouragement
- “I can see that you have been working hard.”
- “Practice may be tough, but look at how far you’ve come!”
B. “It’s okay to feel sad, would you like to talk about it?”
Supporting emotional development is also part of the Montessori approach. Acknowledging your child’s emotions allows them to feel secure and understand that it’s normal to experience a range of feelings. Rather than stepping in immediately, provide a safe space for them to express themselves.