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February 21st, 2023
By Faith McNamara

Montessori vs Gentle Parenting:

What’s the best parenting style for you?

Deciding what parenting style is best for you and your family can be overwhelming. There are so many different parenting styles to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?

Parenting styles have evolved over the years and will continue to do so in the future. With the invention of modern technology, parents are now able to adopt new parenting practices that can help their children become successful adults.

Nannies are an important part of this process as they provide a unique perspective on parenting and can help parents understand how best to raise their children. However, nannies need to be aware of modern parenting practices and be able to adapt to them to provide the best care for children.

This article will explore some of the best parenting styles for our future generations and how nannies can adopt these practices to ensure that children get the best possible care.

Montessori Parenting

Montessori is an educational philosophy developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori, who believed that children learn best through self-directed activities and hands-on learning experiences in a supportive environment.

Montessori parenting is a unique approach to raising children that focuses on providing them with nurturing, comfort, and freedom whilst also maintaining healthy limits and consistency. It encourages parents to provide their children with the opportunity to learn through exploration and discovery in a safe environment.

Montessori parenting allows parents to create an atmosphere of trust, respect, and independence for their children while teaching them important life skills such as problem-solving and self-regulation. This style of parenting emphasises the importance of allowing children the freedom to explore their environment independently while also providing guidance when necessary.

Montessori has just come into the mainstream. If you follow any mummy blogs or social media you may see them talking about it like it was invented only 6 months ago. In fact, this style of parenting was founded in 1907 and has been used for over 100 years across the globe.

Over time many critics have weighed in on the validity of the Montessori technique. Though it allows your child to self-regulate and learn at their own pace, some critics claim that the Montessori philosophy of allowing students to explore their surroundings and work on their projects discourages social interaction.

Some argue that it harms children’s social development. However, most say that Montessori is the best way to prepare children for their future, and many sensory activities can be completed in a group setting.

Gentle Parenting

Gentle parenting is a parenting style that emphasises understanding and empathy over punishment and reward. It focuses on building a strong, loving bond between parent and child that allows parents to be both firm and loving while raising their children.

Gentle parenting encourages a partnership between you and your child to make choices based on an internal willingness instead of external control. It is based on the idea that children, like adults, have the right to be respected and listened.

This approach focuses on building strong relationships with your child and helping them develop self-control and problem-solving skills. With gentle parenting, parents are encouraged to use strategies such as positive reinforcement, empathy, communication, and setting limits to foster a loving relationship with their children. It also encourages parents to be mindful of their own emotions when interacting with their children so that they can provide a supportive environment for them.

This parenting style has been seen throughout history but the term “gentle parenting” was coined by Sarah Ockwell-Smith, a childcare author and parenting expert whose theories around parenting became popular in the 1980s.

Many traditionalists believe this style will create a generation of narcissists who will one day blame their parents for overindulging their feelings. However, according to research, gentle parenting may reduce the risk of anxiety. According to one study, this approach "may promote regulated responses in social contexts" in shy toddlers. Another study discovered that gentle parenting could improve parent-child relationships.

Comparing the two parenting styles

Montessori and gentle parenting are two different approaches to raising children, but they share many similarities. Both focus on fostering a child’s natural curiosity and creativity, while also providing structure and guidance.

Montessori emphasises the importance of learning through play, while gentle parenting focuses on understanding children’s emotions and responding with empathy. Both techniques show the importance of respect for the child as an individual and encourage parents to provide a safe environment for their children to explore and learn at their own pace.

However, there are also some clear differences. While Montessori is based on a structured, educational approach to child-rearing, gentle parenting is focused on responding to children’s needs with empathy and respect.

Both methods strive to create an environment that allows children to develop their sense of self-discipline and autonomy. However, the methods used in each approach differ greatly. Montessori emphasises the use of physical materials and hands-on learning activities while gentle parenting focuses on nurturing relationships between parents and children through open communication and positive reinforcement. Both approaches have benefits, but parents must understand their differences before deciding which method is best for their family.

How nannies become involved in parenting

Modern families are increasingly relying on nannies to help them take care of their kids. Nannies offer an invaluable service to busy parents, allowing them to focus on their careers while still having quality time with their children.

Nannies can also provide stability and consistency, as they can become part of the family unit and develop relationships with the children over time. With modern technology, nanny services are becoming more accessible than ever, making it easier for families to find quality and reliable childcare services.

Parenting has changed a lot over the years, with modern parents relying on new techniques to help their children develop and grow. Nannies are trained in these modern parenting techniques, which can help them provide the best possible care for their charges.

These techniques include creating positive discipline strategies, teaching children problem-solving skills, and helping them build healthy relationships with others. With nannies using these modern parenting techniques, parents can rest assured that their children are in good hands.

These techniques can help nannies better understand the needs of the children they are caring for, and provide them with tools to better address any issues that may arise. By using modern parenting techniques, nannies can ensure that they provide an environment where children feel safe and supported while still being able to learn and grow.

If you are looking for a nanny, you can speak to our expert nanny consultants at Little Ones. Call 0207 183 4098 for a no-obligation enquiry.

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