Montessori Mondays - The Educational Mess Part I

Comedies love baby and toddler messes. Invariably there will be a "horror" diaper change scene, or a flinging food off the high chair scene, or a scene where all the pots or pans are strung all over the floor. And we can laugh at this because most of us have been there before, but often times the moms and dads in the movie are far from laughing and most people probably don't find those moments enjoyable when they happen in real life either. There is nothing magical I can say to make those moments enjoyable in the moment, but it is possible to put them in perspective. Yes, I talked about this in the previous post, but it is worth emphasizing again because it can be so easy to forget: Messes are moments for learning. It is also important to emphasize that toddlers don't always enjoy messes. Toddlers are eager to model behavior - including how easily we are able to hold a spoon, drink from a cup, or carry a tray of blocks. Often, toddlers don't want to spill their milk, they want to be just like you. So, while it may be frustrating for you that there is now a mess, the mess is often doubly frustrating for a toddler. That is why it is so important to take a deep breath and let your child know that its okay to spill because he is learning and then teach him how to clean it up. Your toddler will build upon their need for independence and self confidence in a way that could not have been done without a mess. And you can smile, because the mess is now gone and you have turned your child's frustration into a moment of confidence. Part II of this "messy" series will help you find some toddler friendly cleaning solutions as well as tips for making messes educational, but not so overwhelming. Thanks for reading!