Montessori Musings

Why Montessori Education Makes Sense

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“We call it material for the development of the senses, but sense development is merely the consequence of the urge to do something with the hands. The children also gain the ability to control their movements with precision, and this skill brings them closer to maturity.”

Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures, p. 36

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“It is not that man must develop in order to work, but that man must work in order to develop. The work of the hand is the expression of psychic growth.”

Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures, p. 130

*Montessori’s use of ‘psychic’ describes the mental, emotional and spiritual development of the child. This develops alongside the physical development.

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In a Primary Montessori classroom, we work with our hands.

“The child gives us a beautiful lesson – that in order to form and maintain our intelligence, we must use our hands.”

Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures, p. 153

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Holidays and time “off”. When people come together to celebrate, sometimes they bring challenging scenarios. This article from the Circle of Security gives a description of what you can be aware of so that you are not overwhelmed and can be present for your child or children.

Your Holiday GPS: Navigating Relationship Potholes that come with Fami

Circle of Security can help us find our wisdom through the seasonal stress.

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Still considering gifts for your children or those in your extended family circle?

This is an article written by colleagues at Fiore Montessori School for the Toddler ages (0-3) but with some adjustments, can fit any child.

Written by Kate Ward and Iyanna Harris, they recommend following the familiar framework of : “Something to wear, something you need, something you want, something to read, and something to do.” This structure helps guide families to choose purposeful, thoughtful gifts for any child, at any age.”

There are more details in the article but this final portion is something I really liked, which is this:

“This holiday season, as you choose gifts for your toddler or young child, try to think less about what will simply keep them busy and more about what will welcome them into real life. The most meaningful gifts are the ones that let them be part of the world around them.

Because truly, the greatest gift you can offer a child is the chance to do it themselves.”

Have a wonderful winter break and a Happy New Year!

Simple Gifts, Big Meaning: Montessori Holiday Ideas for Toddlers

As the holiday season approaches, many families embrace meaningful gift-giving traditions. If you don’t have one in place, here is a thought

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You probably already read to your young child. Keep going!

Quote: “Children have a kind of instinct, a special sensibility, which urges them to acquire new words. Between three and five years especially, the child’s mind continues to absorb words.”

Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures, p. 147

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August 31st is Maria Montessori’s birthday.

Many organizations use her elegant portraits on her birthday, but my favorite photographs are the ones when she is sharing a connection with a child. It is as if the camera and photographer aren’t even there.

This hero of mine wanted to make the world a better place. By providing each child with what they need when they need it, independence, self-confidence and self regulation is often the result. For all children.

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Who is Dr. Maria Montessori?

The Association Montessori International/United States of America (AMI/USA) has provided this short description of Dr. Montessori.

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A story about independent spelling

I was at a gathering in a home recently. A child decided to hang out in the kitchen and was playing with the alphabet magnets on the refrigerator. He was moving letters around, spelling out words as best he could given that the set had two Qs and only one U. (I think a nice gift for that family is a complete set of alphabet magnets).

He asked me how to spell 'company', focusing on the ending sound 'ee'.

I could have given him the answer which is not a bad thing to do. But what if he knew how to figure out the answer for himself?

I asked him what sound he wanted. He said 'ee'. I suggested that he find all of the letters that offer that sound. Some of them are phonograms, I said. He pulled out 'e', 'i', and 'y'. (He attends a Montessori school, so he knew what a phonogram is and what to find).

I suggested he try the different options at the end of his word, one by one, to see which one 'looks right'. He did and, in the end, he chose 'y'.

He continued exploring with his remaining letters.

Supporting children's independence. That why I do this.

A note: Even if he had selected another letter, I wouldn't correct him. I want to preserve good feelings around independent writing, rather than provide corrections. Not to worry: He will pick up the correct spelling over time, the more he reads. What can you do? Just encourage more reading.

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Boundary Song

I just found this song, written for those in the preschool years, for those times when dealing with others in their personal space.

Most of the song is expository which is not what I would choose for a song for preschoolers, however the refrain is great.

The Boundary Song by Hopscotch

Refrain:

Please stop. I don't like that.

I’m feeling uncomfortable.

I need more space

Not around me, don’t take it personally,

That’s just a boundary (That’s a boundary!)

And the response:

I’ll stop. You don't like that.

You’re feeling uncomfortable

You need more space

Not around you, I’m not offended or blue,

That’s just your boundary. That’s your boundary.

Here is the whole song!

https://youtu.be/aSFvJbSQdA4?si=Bui7SpWwFcyOz2uW

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I’ve been thinking about empathy and what that looks like in children ages 3, 4, 5, and 6.

I found this article about how it can appear in a Montessori Primary classroom. I provide this quote from Montessori AMI.

‘When everyone shows respect for all living things a social unit gradually forms, a small society in which everyone is aware of and concerned for all the others. This small classroom-based society gradually expands to the entire school.‘

https://montessori-ami.org/questions/developing-social-skills

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Using tools I have at hand to craft materials for my prepared environment.

This will be a large folder/pouch for Geography cards for the Continent Antarctica.

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OPINION

A preschool Learning to Code app?

I am not a fan, friends. Save that for the older elementary or adolescent ages, when they might have access to screens on which they will be able to view their code’s results.

Instead, consider putting the focus on developing hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

How about preparing food in the kitchen for the family or for themselves? Some examples can be baking bread, making fruit or cucumber salads? Preparing a healthy snack for themselves?

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DIPLOMA ACHIEVED

That is all.

I am so grateful for the time spent at this program. Now it is time for the real world.

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MATERIAL MAKING

These are my plans to make a pouch. It is a pouch with three pockets for cards.

As it was my first pouch, I had to make it in my mind and on paper before I used any fabric.

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REVIEW

This is from my Google Review of my training center.

The Washington Montessori Institute (sharing a space with the UMD National Foreign Language Center) is where I took my Montessori Primary Training in 2022-2023. There are two Prepared Environments for Teacher Trainees, one for Primary trainees and one for Toddler trainees. Both are exceptionally designed with beautiful materials. I spent a lot of time in the Primary environment as I was practicing giving lessons for my future examinations and the real world test.

I highly recommend this Training Center. The trainers undergo a rigorous training to become trainers themselves and then give us our own training to prepare us for real life situations. One thing I found fantastic with this preparation was that I was supplied with a very robust foundation so that I know HOW to work within this world. I was also given enough information so that if there was flexibility to design my own activities, based on the specific need of a particular child, I will be able to do it. This training is exactly what I needed and what I received. I am very grateful for this program and I would recommend it to anyone.

I do want to mention that this is a rigorous training program. Anytime you find yourself challenged, the answer will be 'to practice more' and to 'make friends with the areas about which you are uncertain'. This helped me.

Warmly, Meagan Healy

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MATERIAL MAKING

Homework assignment: make a pouch to hold Classified Cards. Subject: Fruit