بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
As Salaamu Alaykum, and welcome to Montessori Muslim! A Muslim parents guide to Montessori.
I’m Sumaya – A twenty-something year old Montessori novice, navigating my way through raising my baby girl to be independent, playful, respectful and observant. I’m not an expert by any means – just an ordinary parent trying my best to raise my child the right way. This little corner of the internet is my space to share my Montessori journey, as well as creating useful resources, activities and inspiration to share with fellow Muslim parents.
I hope that you enjoy reading my adventures, flicking through my language and routine cards with your little ones, and implementing Montessori practices into your own day-to-day lives, whilst also practicing and nourishing Islamic values in our children.
What is Montessori?
Montessori is a child-centred method of education that encourages independence, respect, and freedom within limits. Developed by scientist Maria Montessori in 1870, the hands-on approach to learning has 7 main principles;
Play is Work
Children have a natural desire for knowledge, and a child’s play is viewed as their ‘work’. They should therefore be supported with the correct tools.
Independence
Rather than spoon feeding our children with the answers, the Montessori approach encourages the child to explore and use their initiative.
Prepared Environment
Toddlers love order and routine, and the Montessori method ensures that the child’s environment is accessible, structured, and allows them to move freely from one activity to another.
Hands-On Learning
Children learn through their experiences – a phenomenon which Maria Montessori referred to as ‘the absorbent mind’, in reference to their sponge-like ability to take in new information.
Freedom Within Limits
We as adults provide our children with several approved options, and allow the child to choose for themselves which one to take. Montessori is not about letting the child do whatever they want – it’s about setting limits whilst giving the child freedom of choice within those limits.
Observation
As a parent we are responsible for observing our child in order to identify the interests or skills that they are currently mastering, and to provide them with the right environment to support the development of these interests or skills.
Respect
Each child is unique in their method of learning, their capabilities and their interests. The Montessori method encourages respectfulness between the child and their parent.
FAQ’s
Q: What age is best to implement Montessori practices?
A: Montessori education can begin at any age, from 0 to 6 years.
Q: Is Montessori education better than a traditional education?
A: There is no better or worse – Montessori is simply a different approach to education. That being said, numerous studies have found that children raised with the Montessori approach can be academically, socially, emotionally and creatively advantaged as adults.
Q: What made you start Montessori Muslim?
A: I’m not a Montessori expert by any means – just an ordinary parent trying to raise my children to be independent, playful, respectful and observant human beings – all whilst incorporating Islamic values. Montessori Muslim is a record of my journey, my creative outlet, and a means for me to share my findings with other Muslim Parents.
Q: Is Montessori a religious education method?
A: Montessori is a means of education – it is not associated with any religion. As a Muslim parent, this blog is my space to share my Montessori journey through the lenses of a practicing Muslim – one who is raising my child within the Islamic faith, as and such blending classic Montessori practices with the sunnah and Islamic teachings.
Contact
Email: montessorimuslim@gmail.com
Montessori Muslim 