Shifting from problem-solver to supportive guide
Core Idea: A parent's role is not to solve every problem for children but to be a supportive guide who enables independence, providing just enough help while allowing space for personal growth.
Key Elements
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Key principles
- Provide support without unnecessary intervention
- Be present but not controlling
- Act as a secure foundation rather than a constant rescuer
- Help children develop problem-solving skills rather than solving everything for them
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Implementation steps
- Give space for children to work through challenges
- Remain available when genuinely needed
- Respond with respect, kindness, and clarity
- Balance freedom with appropriate boundaries
- Provide a prepared environment that enables exploration and independence
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Common pitfalls
- Rushing in to fix problems too quickly
- Taking responsibility for issues that children can handle
- Equating helping with doing things for them
- Mistaking stepping back for abandonment
Additional Connections
- Broader Context: Montessori Philosophy (foundation for the guide approach)
- Applications: Building Concentration in Toddlers (intervention disrupts concentration)
- See Also: Going Slowly with Toddlers (the pace of guidance matters)
References
- Davies, S. (2019). The Montessori Toddler.
- Montessori, M. (1995). The Absorbent Mind, Holt Paperbacks.
#parenting #montessori #independence #guidance
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