Is Montessori the Antidote to the Mental Health Crisis?
As parents of children or teens, the news about mental health is alarming, to say the least. It feels like every week a new study comes out talking about the mental health of children and teens, and it is not good news.
CDC’s Youth Risk and Behavior Survey showed that 40% teens in the United States experienced such extreme sadness that it interfered with their ability to socialize, participate in school and/or sports for over two weeks. That number is closer to 60% for girls and LGBTQ students who feel “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, up from 29% in 2011.
As we grapple with why, a lot of speculation can be aggregated into a few main causes:
Parents – parental obsession with student achievement creates extreme pressure for students to achieve academic success above all else, eroding time for leisure time, sleep and subjective well-being; parental mental health problems model unhealthy behaviors and place an unhealthy burden of worry onto their children.
Loss of Independence – “All work and no independent play” - helicopter parenting has eroded opportunities for children and teens to play, roam and engage in activities independent of direct oversight from adults.
Social Media and Smartphones– the decline of physical interaction and relationships, where friendship can be replaced with status anxiety where “likes” yield peer acceptance, increase in cyber-bullying and unhealthy body image.
Political polarization or Climate concerns: Some children and young people are feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world.
The pandemic may have accelerated the impact of these factors, but certainly didn’t create them. These trends have been captured in data, since at least 2011, and shifts toward helicopter parenting date even earlier to the 1980s.
So, what is to be done? Could parenting in a “Montessori Style” actually make a difference and correlate with greater confidence, resilience, and well-being of children and teens?
The Montessori philosophy is a child-centered approach that emphasizes hands-on learning and student autonomy, both in the classroom and at home. Children need to have opportunities for independent play, self-directed and meaningful contributions to family and community life.
7 Tips to help children develop confidence and a sense of responsibility:
Follow the Child's Interests
Montessori encourages following the child’s interests, rather than imposing adult ideas and preferences. This applies to activities outside of school – listen to what inspires and excites them and be aware it may be different than what you would choose to do for yourself. One child may enjoy competitive sports, another may prefer quiet time in the local library after school. There is no one “right way” and more isn’t always better. Observe your child and provide them with materials and opportunities that match their current interests.
2. Foster Independence: Montessori pedagogy emphasizes the importance of independence in children. Children of all ages can do things for themselves; even from a young age they can put on their own shoes, dress themselves, and prepare their own snacks. Elementary age children can prepare their own breakfasts and lunches, assist with family responsibilities (doing laundry, sweeping, etc)
3. Encourage Responsibility at Home: Practical life skills like cooking, cleaning, and gardening are an integral part of Montessori education. Encourage your child to participate in these activities at home and teach them skills that will help them in their everyday life. You could use a family meeting to discuss what responsibilities exist and decide together on how to accomplish weekly tasks.
4. Provide Open-Ended Play Materials: Provide your child with open-ended play materials that are appropriate for their age. Young children can engage with blocks, dolls, and art supplies in multiple ways. This allows them to exercise their creativity and imagination while developing problem-solving skills.
5. Respect the Child: Montessori stresses the importance of respecting the child as an individual. Listen to your child, provide them with choices and involve them in decision making. Model for your child what it feels like when someone values you and respects you, help them find and use their own voice.
6. Create a Calm and Orderly Environment: Montessori classrooms are known for their calm and orderly environment. Create a similar environment at home by minimizing clutter, providing a predictable routine, and having a designated space for each activity to help children develop a sense of order and calmness.
7. Model Self Care: Children and adults alike need time to decompress or calm down. Model how you take care of yourself and help your child find what works for them –coloring, reading quietly, taking a bubble bath, or listening to calming music are all good ways to start.
Sources Referenced:
Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
The Atlantic, “We’re Missing a Key Driver of Teen Anxiety”
New York Times, “What if Kids Are Sad and Stressed Because Their Parents Are?”
Science Daily, “'All Work, No Independent Play' Cause of Children's Declining Mental Health”