The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide To Raising A Curious And Responsible Human Being Quotes

"Toddlers are misunderstood humans. People see toddlers as difficult. There are not many good examples of how to be with toddlers in a loving, patient, supportive way."

"I want to share with you what I have learned. I want to translate the wisdom of Montessori into simple language that is easy to understand and that you can apply in your own home."

"Toddlers thrive in an environment that challenges them; they seek to be understood, and they take in the world around them like sponges."

"Toddlers need to say 'no.' One of the most important developmental phases a toddler passes through is the 'crisis of self-affirmation.'"

"Toddlers need freedom. This freedom will help them grow to be curious learners, to experience things for themselves, to make discoveries, and to feel they have control over themselves."

"Toddlers are not giving us a hard time. They are having a hard time."

"Toddlers are enormously capable. Often it is not until we have our own child that we realize how enormously capable they are from such a young age."

"Toddlers need to move. Just as an animal does not like to be caged, our toddlers will not sit still for long."

"Toddlers need order and consistency. Toddlers prefer things to be exactly the same every day."

"Toddlers are impulsive. Their prefrontal cortex is still developing."

"In a Montessori approach, we see the child as their own person on their own unique path. We support them as their guide and gentle leader."

"We don’t have to sit down with a 1-year-old and teach them grammar or sentence structure. By the age of 3, they already have an amazing vocabulary and are learning how to construct simple sentences."

"The discoveries children make for themselves—particularly within a prepared environment—build wonder in the child and a love of learning."

"Let the children be free; encourage them; let them run outside when it is raining; let them remove their shoes when they find a puddle of water; and, when the grass of the meadows is damp with dew, let them run on it and trample it with their bare feet; let them rest peacefully when a tree invites them to sleep beneath its shade; let them shout and laugh when the sun wakes them in the morning as it wakes every living creature that divides its day between waking and sleeping." —Dr. Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child

"If you’ve told a child a thousand times, and the child still has not learned, then it is not the child who is the slow learner." —Walter B. Barbe

"Help me to help myself" is an expression often used in Montessori.

"We are kind to each other." This means that even if we disagree, we will not hurt each other physically or tease each other; it teaches children to respect themselves and each other.

"I can’t let you hurt that child. I’m going to separate you."

"It looks like you are all finished. Your plate goes in the kitchen."

"You are holding on to the swing. Your hands are holding tight. I’m using my gentle hands to help you let go. I’m holding you close to me as we leave the park."

"Let’s add to our toolbox for cultivating cooperation and look for ways to work with our child to get them to cooperate (without losing our cool)."

"We want to give them as much freedom as possible to explore so they remain curious, but within limits to keep them safe, to teach them to respect others, and to establish our own boundaries."

"Let them release the full range of emotions. Allow even ugly feelings. Show them we are able to love them at their worst."

"When a toddler has a tantrum, they are communicating that something did not go their way."

"We need to first help them close the lid by giving them support to calm down."

"Once they are calm, we can help them make amends if needed."

"Calm and kind acceptance encourages them to express their feelings."

"Setting up a calm space is different from a time-out because the child can decide to go there."

"Once they are calm, they will be able to talk about what happened."

"Helping children take responsibility when they have done something wrong is the most difficult part."

"It is difficult to be respectful to our children when we allow them to go beyond our limits."

"If we are feeling upset by a difficult situation, it is likely that our toddler has a problem and is making it our problem."

"Consistency helps toddlers make sense of the world around them."

"Children need parents who will show them they love them by accepting them 100 percent for who they are."

"The liberty of the child ought to have as its limits the collective interest of the community in which he moves."

"Physical self-care is crucial for nurturing our families and ourselves."

"Being present. Still. I love it when my mind quiets like that."

"Remove our judgment of the situation... respond rather than react."

"Take responsibility for our life and choices."