THE MONTESSORI IDEALIST

ARTICLE 4

The Montessori Approach

By:  Holly Carter RECE, Montessori Directress

      “What is Montessori?”, “What does it mean when you are sending your little one to a Montessori school?”  These questions are often posed by prospective parents while investigating various early-learning facilities, and rightfully so:  The early years of a child’s life serve as the foundation for all future learning.

      So, why Montessori?

      The answer is both easy and complex.  If you are looking for a holistic approach to childcare where your child is appreciated for his/her own unique capabilities, Montessori is for you!

      The Montessori Approach, first and foremost, recognizes the child’s natural spirituality.  Spiritual in this context does not translate into denominational religion by any means.  The term is used to describe what children inherently are:  Good human beings.  As Montessorians, our approach is one that believes in personal freedom of developmental without pressure.  When a child is immersed in spiritual freedom, they are able to connect to the world around them and thus begin to live in a holistic, meaningful way.

      Freedom extends into other fundamental realms of Montessori education:  A natural need to follow intrinsic impulse.  From the work of the shelves to the furniture itself, each classroom is equipped to promote every child’s innate will to discover and learn.  Our approach allows for a child to work at his/her own pace while accommodating a wide variety of needs within the room.  This very freedom allows every child to develop as unique, spontaneous and creative individuals.

      While fostering freedom, Montessori directresses pay close attention to and make anecdotal records of sensitive periods.  Sensitive periods occur throughout a child’s life.  During these times, children are able to focus on and absorb an activity at a very intense yet easy rate.   Sensitive periods encompass such areas as order, sensory refinement, language acquisition, gross and fine motor dexterity and social involvement.  Being in tune with sensitive periods allow Montessorians to guide natural interest and subsequent achievement.  

      With heightened awareness of environment comes heightened senses.  The Montessori Approach encourages learning through, rather that despite, senses.  All materials within the classroom are specifically designed to capture intrigue.  If a child is drawn to an activity, the directress can guide and extend on the learning process.  Seemingly “simple” activities, like spooning and sorting, can isolate senses and become valuable, teachable moments.

      Teaching comes by three different means in this environment:  Self-teaching, directress guided and observation.  With a variety of ages intermixed, teaching and learning become a two-way street.  Younger children are able to observe older children and thus, older children are able to re-enforce learning by teaching.  This has always been a main focus of every Montessori institution.  The willingness of a community from all ages to not only encourage and support, but actively help and teach one another builds the connection a child has to life and the world around him/her.

      As parents are most definitely aware, children have a fascination and need for inquisition, and the freedom to be hands-on.  They desire the “whys and hows” of everything they see.  The old adage rings extremely true in our environment:  Give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day; teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for eternity.  By providing a child an environment that is free from societal pressure and to work at his/her own pace, it can be assured that the innate “will” can not become burdened and then fatigued.  Rather, “work” can cause excitement and energy by fulfilling personal goals known only to each child.

      We, as directresses, promise to provide only developmentally appropriate and meaningful work.  We also abide by our philosophy of allowing every child to work at a pace that is right for him/her.  We work daily to build an environment that fosters freedom, kindness, independence and knowledge without pressure.  We are here to encourage awareness, responsibility and self-motivation.

      So, why Montessori?

      Because it is the smart choice.

Practical Living

THE MONTESSORI IDEALIST

ARTICLE 3

Practical Living at Home

By:  Holly Carter RECE, Montessori Directress

      

      One of the most integral components of Montessori pedagogy is “learning by doing” and “teaching so that it can be done independently”.  The way this is achieved is through Practical Life exercise.

      The Montessori Method and educational philosophy is quite flexible.  The approach need not be exclusive to the confines of a Montessori school but rather extended to daily home life, eventually becoming part of your family’s routine.  Believe it or not, mundane tasks are oft considered great fun for young minds.  Children learn by example and reinforce what is learned by duplicating.  Here are some helpful ways to practise Practical Life and create continuity between school and home.

Cooking:

Stirring:  Have your child stir cake mixes, oatmeal or cookie dough.

Tonging:  Introduce your child to small tongs and have them pick up various food items with them.

Measuring/Scooping/Pouring:  Ask your child to add 2 cups/2 tbsps of liquid or otherwise to recipes.

Whisking:  Show your child how to beat an egg.

Scrubbing:  Have your child scrub potatoes or carrots before preparing.

Cleaning:

Spray Clean:  Give your child a small squirt bottle and squeegee or cloth and ask them to clean flat surfaces.

Scrubbing:  With a handled scrub brush, have your child clean outdoors.

Sweeping:  A child-sized broom and dustpan can bring endless fun for your child.

Washing:  Give your child a small tub and fill it with warm water and child safe dishsoap.  Have them scrub non-breakable items such as mixing bowls/spoons.

Cognitive Organizing:

Have your child sort objects by colour, size and shape.

Outdoor Chores:

Planting:  Extend on your child’s new knowledge of botany by planting sunflower or bean seeds, nurturing them as they grow.

Pulling Weeds:  Show your child what needs to be removed from the garden and have them help pull.

Raking/Shovelling:  Equipped with a child size rake/shovel, your child can help and have fun!

      Extending the Montessori Approach to home life allows your child to explore and work towards greater independence.  By modelling and encouraging imitation, you are giving your child a chance to master new skills, no matter how daunting they are to an adult!  Practical Life skills are utterly important for building esteem and nurturing a children how want to DO! 

The Prepared Environment

Supplementing At-Home Care with Half-Day Programs

THE MONTESSORI IDEALIST
ARTICLE 1

Supplementing At-Home Parenting with Half-Day Programs

by: Holly Carter RECE, Montessori Directress

      “Mother knows best” is a sweet yet powerful sentiment that has rightfully resonated through time.  You are, above all, your child’s best teacher and the most important figure that will exist during their lifetime.  Day to day, as your child matures, they are discovering their own unique place in the world while cushioned with the comfort of Mommy and Daddy by their side.

      An ideal childhood is one that involves warm nurturing; a chance to exhibit independence within limits; and having the opportunity to explore and face challenge.  These are fundamental building blocks for successful scaffolding in life.

      Montessori can help:  An implemented program such as half-day Montessori can offer countless benefits to both parents and children.

      A Montessori environment is geared to be an extension of home.  Because of smaller class sizes and adult to child ratios, directresses have ample opportunity to build bonds, assess development and tailor suit a program unique to them.  All directresses act in accordance to Montessori philosophy whereby a calm, soothing tone is set and continuity is fostered between home and school.  The formation of strong, loving bonds is one of the primary focuses of Montessori.

      The work within the environment must always be developmentally appropriate yet offer a challenge in order to provide every child the chance to “master” new concepts.  It is set up into areas by which a child is given freedom to choose a work that appeals to them,  observe the directress and then try for themselves.  The work is geared to foster independence.  This can include buttoning, pouring without spilling and daily tasks such as folding, washing and sweeping.

      The at-home parent can be assured that along with practical learning, their child will be offered academics within the course of each day.  Specific materials are set-out in such a way that the child becomes intrigued.  Tangible, manipulative items like Spindle Work help children grasp math concepts while language skills are taught through tactile letters and sound bags/boxes.  Work that can be both manipulated by the child and used independently aids in the child’s passion to learn and eagerness to take on more.

      Morale, collaboration and calm conflict resolution are strongly encouraged in a Montessori environment.  The lead directress and her assistants ensure the modeling of appropriate behaviour and social grace at all times.  Being lead by example translates well into home life, too.  Socialization is a vital part of development and teaches children how to get along with each other and then, in turn, with their siblings and future siblings.

      A half-day program provides the at-home parent a well deserved break.  Typically, the half day begins at 8:30 am and completes by 12:30 pm.  Within this time frame, parents can be assured that their children are being mentally stimulated, emotionally supported and cognitively exercised within all areas of development.  Often this allows parents the opportunity to refresh and regroup with the knowledge that their child is being well attended to.

      Half-day programs in Montessori environments build enthusiasm toward the quest of greater learning, independence, self control and self confidence.  Integrating it into at-home parenting allows the child to flourish while still maintaining lifelong learning from their best teacher- YOU!