Sent in from our patron Sarah L.
There are moments in childhood that we witness in our own children, and moments we remember from our own.
Finding a tiny insect in the garden. Trying to build a tower that keeps falling down. The joy of jumping in muddy puddles. Spending what feels like an eternity pouring water from one cup into another. You know what I mean.
And yet, in a world increasingly consumed by screens, I sometimes wonder whether we are unintentionally taking away some of the very experiences our children need most.
As a mother, life is busy. There are meals to prepare, houses to tidy, work to get done and a hundred things on our minds. Screens can be a helping hand on the days we need a moment to breathe, and there is no shame in that. We are human, and parenting is a lot.
But it's worth gently asking ourselves: Are our children getting enough time to simply be children?
One thing I love about the Montessori approach is the reminder that children don't need to be constantly entertained or taught. They are naturally curious. They want to explore, touch, move, question and understand the world around them.
They learn by doing, making mistakes, trying again and experiencing that little spark of pride when they finally manage something on their own.
I want my children to remember afternoons spent outdoors, hands covered in dirt, pockets full of stones and sticks they couldn't leave behind. I want them to have the freedom to make a mess, ask a million questions and get lost in their own little worlds of imagination.
I want them to experience being completely absorbed in something, without a video playing in the background or a device calling for their attention.
But getting them away from screens is harder than it looks!
Fellow mothers will know the frustration of trying to get the kids away from a screen. "But what are we supposed to do?"
Sometimes the weather is terrible. Sometimes the books feel boring. There's always something! And honestly, I get it. Sometimes I just want the entertainment to land perfectly in my lap, too.
That's where I find creative worksheets so helpful. They're perfect for rainy days, waiting for food at a restaurant or visiting our lake house (the kids are still young enough to believe us when we tell them there's no Wi-Fi there!).
I love having something on hand that gives them a little direction without taking away their freedom to be creative. Whether they're drawing, colouring, solving puzzles or coming up with their own ideas, worksheets can offer a lovely balance between structured activity and independent exploration.
It's not about replacing screens with more things children have to do. It's about giving them inviting alternatives that let them imagine, create and enjoy being kids.
A worksheet can be a starting point rather than a set of rules. A drawing prompt might turn into an elaborate story. A simple activity might inspire an afternoon of imaginative play. Sometimes, all children need is a little spark to get their creativity flowing.
And that fits beautifully with a Montessori-inspired approach: offering children accessible materials, allowing them to work at their own pace and giving them the confidence to explore their own ideas.
What Happens When We Let Them Be Bored?
I think boredom has developed a bit of a bad reputation.
As parents, we often feel responsible for keeping our children happy and occupied. When they tell us they're bored, our instinct is to find something for them to do or offer a screen.
But what if we didn't always rush to fill that space?
Some of the most beautiful play begins when children have the freedom to figure things out for themselves. A cardboard box becomes a house. A blanket becomes a fort. A handful of flowers becomes a beautiful arrangement for the kitchen table.
Creative worksheets can be part of that journey, too. They can offer just enough inspiration to get little minds working, while leaving plenty of room for children to add their own ideas, make their own choices and take their creativity in unexpected directions.
The goal isn't to fill every minute. It's to give children opportunities to discover that they can create their own fun.
Our children don't need constant entertainment. They need opportunities to explore, create, connect and experience the world for themselves.
Let's give them the tools, the time and the space to do just that.
Let's give them a little less screen time, a little more room for imagination, and the freedom to simply be kids.
Want to share your parenting story? We'd love to hear from you! Whether it's a little parenting win, a Montessori-inspired moment, or your experience trying our worksheets with your little ones, your story could inspire another family. Send us a message, we'd love to feature you in our community!