a practice promoting the child’s independence

The Montessori pedagogy appeals to many families today. Invented by Maria Montessori in 1907, it is based on an approach to sensory and kinesthetic education, which allows the growth and development of the child. If this alternative pedagogy is transmitted mainly in specialized schools with certified educators; in fact, all interested parents can start applying it at home, using simple and replicable practices on their little bichon. Among these techniques, we find the “Yes space”. You have to translate the term literally from English to French to understand the overall idea. THE Yes space is a space specially designed for young children, so that they can discover, explore, experiment, learn, move and interact freely with their environment.

Montessori games (or not); Montessori toys (or not, once again); furniture adapted to his age (table, chair); learning materials (books), small adapted objects: the Yes space is built so that they learn and explore independently without ever getting bored. The interest is to minimize parental supervision, intervention, involvement – hence its name: we want to avoid having to say “no” to the little bichon; let him live as he pleases in his mini-world. Therefore, it is essential that the place in question is 100% secure in order to minimize interventions. But what is the educational goal of this practice? The advantages of Yes space are multiple.

Yes Space: what are the benefits for young children?

Yes space is part of the overall mission of the Montessori method: its aim is to develop independence, a sense of responsibility and self-confidence of the child concerned. By letting him fend for himself, without intervening, even in trivial situations such as play and activities, the brat gains independence and confidence. Noticing that his parents do not intervene to help him with the slightest annoyance, the child interprets their behavior in the following way: “Mom and Dad don’t interfere, they believe in my abilities, they think I can handle myself, so that means it’s true.” Result: the child acts in accordance with positive parental expectations, he has more confidence in his abilities, he dares to take the plunge, he is more likely to experience success, and with each success, his self-confidence is boosted and his independence , increased tenfold (in psychology, we speak of the Pygmalion effect).

Furthermore, since the Yes space is a space where its parents do not intervene, the child is the only one responsible for its maintenance; the sole decision-maker; the only “problem solver”: the equipment, the toys, the objects placed there are under his sole authority. Taking care of his Yes space therefore teaches him to assume his responsibilities and to be independent, ultimately.

The Yes space also allows you to stimulate your curiosity and develop your creativity. Indeed, children are encouraged to test, following their own pace, everything that is placed in this zone without ever being stressed, oppressed and/or limited by parental authority. By freely exploring his environment, the child is put in situations that work on his imagination, where he must play alone and imagine scenarios with fictitious people and characters, design his own activities, and solve the problems encountered during these activities on his own.

How to set up a suitable Yes Space at home?

The primary objective of Yes space is to be 100% secure for marmot: he must be able to explore, touch, play as he pleases without having to put himself in danger, and without a parent having to intervene to protect him. We therefore choose a place in the home where there are no cables, electrical outlets, windows or doors nearby, or damaged furniture. The objects placed there must be scrupulously selected for their non-toxic properties (we prefer wooden toys for example) and for their safety. They must not present a danger of suffocation, strangulation, burns, injury, etc. You can also use a baby monitor to monitor the safety of your little one from afar without interrupting their activity.

• Partitioned or open space?

Not all parents, child life specialists and Montessori educators agree on this. If some recommend not demarcating the Yes space with barriers or a baby playpen (while ensuring that the space is well secured, of course), others advise on the contrary to use them to have the more peaceful mind. “Some parents are reluctant to put up barriers or sacrifice space to provide a safe space for their babies, but when they do, everyone agrees that life becomes so much easier afterward and they can finally relax.”*** Other parents even choose to dedicate an entire room to their child’s Yes space.

• Place objects dedicated to each aspect of child development : objects to learn to read, to indulge in sensory activities, to stimulate your artistic side.

By placing objects carefully selected for their usefulness in the child’s development, we ensure that the child works and progresses in areas that are part of our educational project. Obviously, we provide accessible material, adapted to their age, abilities and personality; the point is that he is challenged without being excessively put in difficulty (in which case it could have a negative impact on his self-esteem):

“When a child has access to their own art materials and can pour themselves a glass of water or prepare their own snack, they feel empowered! (…) This contributes to the development of strong self-esteem, and he feels confident to tackle more independent and academic work”*explains Marketa Howard, a stay-at-home mom who practices Montessori at home.

• Arrange the space with furniture adapted to its size: chair, table, desk, shelf, etc.

The interest is twofold:

1. Ensure your safety : “It is important that the child cannot climb on tall furniture, drop it or get stuck behind or under the furniture. Children’s furniture is not only safe, but it also shows the child that the environment is made for them and that they can use it!”***
2. Strengthen your self-esteem : Age-appropriate furniture also helps them feel competent and develop new skills like proper climbing.

Freelance journalist

Open-minded and in love with life, Emilie likes to decipher the new phenomena that shape society and relationships today. Her passion for human beings motivates her to write…