I am so excited to bring back my "Montessori Home Tour" series! My first interview of 2021 is with Gigi of Instagram account @_mommy.g_ . I have been an admirer of Gigi's for a while. Her posts are always a combination of inspirational and relatable. I can't wait for you to read about her and her home. Let's get started...
Tell me about yourself...
Hi! My name is Gigi, I am a SAHM, homeschooling and applying Montessori method at home with my two daughters (Faith 3.5 years old & Peace 3.5 months old) . I am originally from Hong Kong. After I married, I moved to North America with my husband 8 years ago. Parenting challenges me to learn and do new things every day, allows me to work hard and be creative, and also gives me the opportunity to serve others in a very meaningful way… which is most everything I ever wanted in a job. The best job I ever had :)
How old are your children?
Faith 3.5years old & Peace 3.5 months old.
When did you first learn about Montessori?
We started applying the Montessori method at home a year ago. (2020)
How have you created a Prepared Environment in your home?
We have activities shelves, movement area, snacks station, outdoor activities area, entry way, self-care station, reading area and morning preparation station( closet). I built these areas based on Faith's interest and tend to focus on sensorial and practical life works. For baby Peace, we are now having a little movement area for her with her mobiles and grasping toys.
What are your favorite activities to do with your children or to watch your children do?
I love watching Faith and do practical life works with her, to make her feel like she is part of our family is so important to me :)
How do you deal with toy/activity/material storage and rotation?
We are using our guest room closet as all their toy/activity/material storage. Rotating is based on their interest, at Faith's age, sometimes she will tell me what she wants to rotate :)
What is your favourite part of your child’s play/work space?
My favorite part of our work space is their movement area and outdoor space, because these two are the only places that they can share and do their own activities/works together. (for now!)
What benefits have you found in implementing the Montessori philosophy in your home?
Positive discipline leads to happier, more secure children. Montessori’s respectful, positive discipline techniques can be used effectively at home and implementing Montessori philosophy in my home lets me understand how my daughters develop and knowing how to fulfill their needs, this is also the best possible way to unlock their full potential.
How do you help foster independence in your children?
“Freedom within limits”, “Prepared environment”and ‘easy to access’ are the most important keys to foster independence in our household :)
Do you have a favorite Montessori or parenting quote?
“Let us leave the life free to develop within the limits of the good, and let us observe this inner life developing. This is the whole of our mission.” – Maria Montessori
Thank you, Gigi!
To follow along on Gigi's Montessori Home journey, follow her on Instagram. She shares activities, prepared environment tips and art activities (to name a few).
