Montessori in Daycare: How We Encourage Independence at KiddieLand
Getting their own jacket. Helping set the table. Choosing what they would like to do. To adults, these may seem like small things. For children, they are important steps toward becoming more independent.
At KiddieLand, every child is at the center – with their curiosity, interests and individual pace of development. The HighScope curriculum forms the foundation of our educational approach. We complement it with ideas from Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Emmi Pikler. Together, these approaches help us create an environment where children can explore independently, take an active role and grow with confidence.
Table of Contents
- What Montessori means at KiddieLand
- Independence starts with small things
- An environment designed for children
- Freedom of choice within clear structures
- Every child develops at their own pace
- Independence means more than doing things alone
- Why we combine different educational approaches
- Montessori-inspired independence in everyday life
- Frequently asked questions about Montessori at KiddieLand
- Related topics
What Montessori means at KiddieLand
Children naturally want to explore, try things for themselves and become increasingly independent. At KiddieLand, we consciously make room for this desire to do things on their own.
Selected principles from Montessori education complement this approach particularly well – especially independence, freedom of choice within clear structures and a prepared, child-friendly environment.
One important idea runs through our everyday life: Children are often capable of doing more for themselves than adults expect. We want to give them the opportunity to do so.
Montessori is one of several educational influences at KiddieLand. The HighScope curriculum forms the foundation of our work, complemented by selected Montessori principles and elements inspired by Reggio Emilia and Pikler. You can learn more about this on our educational philosophy page.
Independence starts with small things
Every day offers children small opportunities to try something for themselves and experience what they can do. Independence does not begin only when a child can read, count or get fully dressed without help.
At KiddieLand, children take part in everyday tasks according to their age and abilities. They may help prepare and set the table, serve themselves at mealtimes and help clean up afterward.
In Montessori education, activities like these form part of the Exercises of Practical Life. The Association Montessori Internationale describes Practical Life as an important part of the Montessori environment, using meaningful everyday activities to support children’s development.
For us, these activities are above all natural opportunities for children to take responsibility and experience what they can accomplish for themselves.
A child does not simply experience, “I can do this.” They also learn to make decisions, understand routines and take increasing responsibility for themselves and their surroundings.
Our educators support children attentively along the way. They are there when help is needed, while also giving children the time and space to try things for themselves and find their own solutions.
An environment designed for children
Children can do many things independently when their environment is designed with them in mind. That is why we consciously look at our spaces from a child’s perspective.
One Montessori idea that fits particularly well with this approach is the “Prepared Environment”. The Association Montessori Internationale describes a prepared environment as one adapted to children’s developmental needs, including appropriately sized furniture, organized materials and consistent routines.
When children can reach interesting materials themselves and know where to find things, they have more opportunities to explore, make choices and take an active role.
Low furniture and shelves make learning and play materials directly accessible. Distinct activity areas offer opportunities for different kinds of experiences – including reading, drawing, creative activities and hands-on exploration.
Within reach
Materials and learning opportunities are placed where children can access them independently according to their age and abilities.
Clear activity areas
Different areas give children orientation and invite them to engage in different kinds of learning and play.
Making choices
Within a clear framework, children can choose which materials or activities they would like to engage with.
Taking responsibility
Children take materials themselves and also help return them after an activity, learning to care for their environment.
The Association Montessori Switzerland similarly describes the prepared environment as clearly structured and adapted to the needs of each age group, supporting children’s independence.
The idea of creating an environment where children can actively explore and learn also appears in other educational approaches that shape our work at KiddieLand. HighScope and Reggio Emilia, in particular, place great importance on the learning environment and active discovery.
Freedom of choice within clear structures
Children want to participate and make choices of their own. At the same time, they need orientation, reliable relationships and a structured daily routine that gives them a sense of security.
At KiddieLand, we therefore combine freedom of choice with clear structures.
Within an age-appropriate framework, children can choose, for example, which materials they would like to use or which activity they want to explore. This gives them opportunities to discover their own interests, make decisions and engage more deeply with an activity.
A familiar daily routine provides security and orientation. For us, independence does not mean that children have to make every decision themselves. It means giving them meaningful, age-appropriate opportunities to participate and make choices.
Every child develops at their own pace
Every child brings their own interests, abilities and experiences. Some things become exciting early on, while others become interesting later. And every child needs a different level of support.
At KiddieLand, we therefore give children opportunities to develop skills at their own pace. Some activities may be explored and repeated many times. With others, a child may initially need support and then gradually take over individual steps independently.
The goal is not for every child to be able to do the same thing as quickly as possible.
What matters to us is that children have opportunities to explore, practice and develop confidence in their own abilities.
For our youngest children in particular, this idea also connects with the Pikler principles that play an important role at KiddieLand: freedom of movement, independent exploration and respectful support for each child’s individual development.
Independence means more than doing things alone
When a child serves their own food or puts materials back on a shelf, that is only the visible part of becoming more independent. Many other small developmental steps are taking place at the same time.
A child learns to make a decision. They discover that something does not work immediately and try again. They learn to notice other children and take responsibility within a community. And they also learn to recognize when they need help – and to ask for it.
Through these experiences, different areas of development grow together.
Motor skills
Children practice movements and gradually become more confident in handling objects and materials.
Thinking & perception
Children explore, repeat and solve small challenges independently, developing their perception and logical thinking along the way.
Communication
Children learn to express their wishes, communicate their choices and ask for support when they need it.
Social & emotional development
Children experience that their actions make a difference, take responsibility, become aware of others and develop confidence in their own abilities.
For us, independence does not mean expecting children to manage everything alone as early as possible. It means increasingly trusting them to take an active role – while giving them the security of knowing that support is there whenever they need it.
Why we combine different educational approaches
Children learn in different ways and move through different stages of development. That is why we do not want to view them through the lens of a single educational method.
The HighScope curriculum forms the foundation of our educational approach. We complement it with ideas from Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Pikler where they fit the children’s needs, their stage of development and our overall educational philosophy.
HighScope
Active learning, children making their own choices and a structured daily routine that provides both orientation and room for exploration.
Montessori
Independence, the prepared environment, practical everyday activities and opportunities to make choices within clear structures.
Reggio Emilia
Creativity, discovery and the idea that children actively explore their environment and that the environment itself can become part of the learning process.
Pikler
Especially for younger children: freedom of movement, independent exploration and respectful support for each child’s individual pace of development.
We do not see these approaches as competing with one another. What matters is how they support children in their development and help them explore the world with curiosity and confidence.
Learn more about our educational philosophy
Montessori-inspired independence in everyday life
Children do not experience these principles during special “Montessori sessions.” They are part of everyday life at KiddieLand.
Children can access materials independently and choose between different activities. According to their age and abilities, they take part in practical everyday tasks, help set the table, serve themselves at mealtimes and participate in cleaning up.
Our educators accompany them attentively, providing guidance and support without directing every individual step.
Throughout the day, this creates many small opportunities for children to experience:
- I can make a choice.
- I can try something myself.
- I can take the time I need.
- I can take responsibility.
- If I need help, someone is there for me.
For us, this is one of the most valuable ideas we take from Montessori education.
If you would like to learn more about how we approach learning and development as a whole, visit our KiddieLand Philosophy page.
Frequently asked questions about Montessori at KiddieLand
Is KiddieLand a Montessori daycare?
No. KiddieLand is not a traditional Montessori daycare and does not follow the Montessori method exclusively. The HighScope curriculum forms the foundation of our educational approach. We complement it with selected Montessori principles and elements inspired by Reggio Emilia and Pikler.
Which Montessori principles does KiddieLand use?
Children experience Montessori-inspired principles at KiddieLand primarily in situations where they can take an active role: through a prepared, child-friendly environment with accessible materials, practical everyday activities and opportunities to make choices within clear structures. We respect each child’s individual pace and give them space to become increasingly independent and take responsibility.
Why does KiddieLand combine different educational approaches?
Every child has different needs depending on their age, stage of development and personality. The HighScope curriculum therefore forms our educational foundation, which we complement with selected ideas from Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Pikler. Together, these approaches support active learning, creativity, independence, movement, and social and emotional development.
How is KiddieLand different from a traditional Montessori daycare?
A traditional Montessori setting bases its overall educational concept on the Montessori method. At KiddieLand, HighScope forms the educational foundation. Montessori complements our everyday approach with selected principles – particularly those related to independence, practical everyday experiences, freedom of choice and the prepared environment.
Related topics
This article is part of our Parent Resources about bilingual childcare and early childhood development. You may also be interested in these topics:
Would you like to experience KiddieLand in person?
The best way to understand how children learn, explore and become more independent at KiddieLand is to experience it in person. Visit us and get to know our spaces, our team and everyday life at KiddieLand.
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✓ See how children experience independence in everyday life
