Raising children is no easy task, especially when we are trying to honor the Lord. Recently the Montessori approach has become a popular learning and parenting style. But is Montessori Biblical? Does it align with what the Bible says?
As a Christian mom, my mission is to raise children who love and honor the Lord. With so many parenting styles out there is Montessori right for Christian parents? I’ve learned so much about this teaching and parenting approach and I’m excited to share what I’ve found.
Is Montessori Biblical?
Technically, the Montessori approach is not for any specific religion or denomination. That means you can be Christian, Catholic, Buddhist, or Muslim and still use Montessori.
Although Dr. Maria Montessori, who founded this learning style, was born a Catholic. On montessori.org.au it says that her faith was a bit of a bumpy road, but she later returned to Christianity after her studies.
So if we are looking at what Montessori was born out of, we can see that its foundation is rooted in God. But over the years, it’s evolved and developed into not only a learning style but also a way of parenting.
[How do you Start Gentle Parenting with a One-Year Old? Check Out my Guide Here]
Is it Okay to Practice Montessori as a Christian?
I want to give you a cut and dry answer, but I believe that you will need to ask the Lord and pursue this approach with prayer. This is one of those personal decisions you will need to make with your spouse and the guidance of the Lord.
With that being said if you are a Christian wondering if it’s okay to practice Montessori, I believe it’s all in how you use it and then apply it with your family. In this approach, it’s believed that a parent’s actions are teaching their children way more than discipline and words are.
How are Montessori and Christianity Similar?
Now I want to show you have Christianity and the Montessori method align. If you aren’t too familiar with what Montessori is, I highly recommend you read this article about what is Montessori parenting.
In short, practicing Montessori means that parents will focus on the child’s independence and will use positive discipline which will allow space for children to grow and learn about how to be an adult.
There are also some books out there that will help you to gain more knowledge. I would highly recommend doing your research before diving headfirst into creating a Montessori-style home.
Anyhow, here are the ways that Montessori and Christianity are Similar:
- Montessori is about allowing your child to learn and grow at that their pace. As a Christian, I believe the Lord made each of us uniquely, which means we have different patterns and interests too! (Isaiah 64:8)
- Montessori means you will allow your child to explore and discover what they enjoy. As a Christian, we know that God made us to bring glory to Him through our gifts, passions, and interests (Romans 12:6-8)
- Montessori is about raising an independent child. As a Christian parent, we want our children to grow up and use their independence to glorify the Lord.
- Montessori teaches children cause and effect. As a Christian, we know that if we sin we are going against the Lord. (1 John 1:8-9)
- Both Montessori and Christianity show children that we have free will, but that doesn’t come without consequences. (1 Peter 2:16)
- When using Montessori your goal is to show your child a realistic view of the world. As a Christian, we don’t want to sugarcoat things because we know the “world” can be overwhelming and lead us down sinful paths. (1 John 2:16)
- Montessori means that your child will have less stuff, which can cause them to become overwhelmed. As a Christian our value isn’t in the things of this earth, we are told that our treasure is in heaven. (1 John 2:15)
If there are some similarities that you find in your research, email me at Alexis@blessourlittles.com
How to Use Montessori as a Christian Parent
If you’ve decided that Montessori parenting is right for your family, you may be wondering how you can start applying this. First, you will want to do a lot of research. Like I mentioned earlier, read books and blog, watch Youtube videos! This will give you a good idea of what Montessori is.
But if you are wondering how to blend both Montessori and Christianity, here are some ways I’ve learned to do that in our home!
1. Observe + Notice
God created us as unique individuals, which means just because they are our children doesn’t mean they will be interested in the things we like. Each child was created with special gifts from the Lord. As a parent, it’s our job to observe them and take notice of what they find interest in.
2. Support Their Interests
As I just mentioned, these interests that the Lord gave to our child are the gifts that they will use to glorify Him. This is so special. I want to do everything I can to encourage my daughters to use their gifts because I know that’s what the Lord wants!
3. Explore in Nature
When was the last time you noticed God’s beautiful creation? So often we are caught up in our phones or even just the business of everyday life to notice what God created.
Our family loves taking walks. During this time, I like to point out all the beauty that God created. But to my surprise, my oldest daughter has started to show me all the things I didn’t notice.
We then use this as a learning moment. Whether that be just to see God’s creation or to practice things like math, learning the different colors, or even using their motor skills.
4. Showing Children the Real World
Montessori parents believe in rooting their children in the real world before showing them fantasy. This very much aligns with Christianity in that we want their foundation to be rooted in the truth.
How do we do this realistically? We read stories, give them toys, and allow them to watch shows with real people and life experiences. This will help our children to understand what the real world is like.
It’s been shown that children aren’t ready for fantasy until about 6 years old.
5. Less Toys
I want my children to know that toys aren’t what this life is about. In Luke 12: 33 it says “Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail,” this is such a sweet reminder that we need to be focused on what we are saving up for in heaven.
Giving your kids fewer toys will allow them to focus on things that are more important.
[We’ve Invested in High Quality Toys that Will Last for Our Future Kiddos! Check them out Here.]
My Thoughts…
Now that you’ve learned that you can use Montessori as a Christian parent, I hope that it guides you in raising children who love the Lord. Ultimately, it’s our mission as parents to guide, direct, and encourage our children to use the gifts that the Lord has blessed them with.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo… so you don’t lose this post!
Other Posts You Might Enjoy….