Life With 4 Kids

When we were choosing a house, having a Montessori school nearby was one of my top priorities.

At that point, I had already learned that not all daycares or preschools are the same. The environment really matters, especially for younger kids.

One of the biggest reasons I liked Montessori is that children get to choose what they want to work on.

It’s not just sitting and following instructions all day. They have materials designed to help them learn and develop, but they can explore at their own pace. I liked that it felt more natural and less forced.

If you’ve never been inside a Montessori classroom, it might surprise you.

Everything is set up for kids to do things on their own. The shelves are low, the materials are easy to reach, and even small routines are designed to build independence.

For example, after snack time, kids help clean up. Some even wash dishes. They set up their own lunch tables. It’s not just about learning letters or numbers — it’s about being involved in everyday life.

I really loved that part.

Last year, one of my son’s favorite activities at school was washing windows. He actually looked forward to it. I liked that they were part of these small, everyday chores instead of just watching or being told what to do.

There’s also a lot of focus on routine and responsibility, but in a calm way. It didn’t feel rushed or chaotic like some places we toured.

Outdoor time was another big plus for us. At my son’s school, they even had chickens, and the kids would feed them leftover vegetables. It felt like a very hands-on, real-life experience.

Of course, Montessori isn’t perfect for every child.

I noticed that kids who naturally enjoy doing things independently tend to do better in that environment. Some children might need more structure or guidance, and that’s okay too.

For us, Montessori worked really well at that stage. It’s one of the reasons I started paying more attention to the environment around my kids — not just the location, but how they actually spend their day.