What comes to mind at the beginning of the school year for most parents is how their child is doing. Parents may wonder if their child is adjusting to the environment or if their working well with others. New parents come into the Montessori classroom and observe. They may wonder if their child is going to be able to set the table or put work back on the shelf. The answer is yes! It’s important to remember that while observing, all of the children in the classroom have been in this classroom for a year. The action of rolling rugs and putting them away, putting books back on the shelf, and using gentle hands with classroom pets is all a part of the learning process in our classroom. Most of the children are setting up for snack and cleaning up, with a little help. The next step is to mesh the new children with the more experienced children in the classroom. The younger children may watch an older child get a lesson. This is a time to learn about their awareness of others in the environment. If a rug is on the floor with another child’s work, an adult may remind the child to walk around the rug or invite them to come and watch.

For the children who came back in the fall with knowledge of the Montessori classroom, they have work to do too. This is the time to work on practical life and self-help skills. They may have forgotten some skills over the summer or just need to fine tune some of them. These children were putting their own coats on last year, now they’re learning how to start their zipper and zip it up by themselves. They become the helpers and the role models in the classroom. These children are turning the water on for the younger children and helping a younger child find his/her cubby. This is also when we begin grace and courtesy lessons.

In the classroom you may hear children say, “Don’t touch my work.” This a perfect time for an adult to encourage the older child to say, “You may watch me work.” or “You can paint when I’m done.”  This is the time for reminders at the table, such as, how to walk with a plate and use two hands, or pass the bowl of fruit. Recently a child showed one of our newer children how to pour with our small pitchers.  The adults model “please” and “thank you” for the children, as well.

Of course, there is an adjustment period for the younger children to get used to going to school every day and working with other children. And, the older children have to learn a little more patience and show the younger ones how everything works in the classroom. Progress is being made every day!

Below are some ideas for how to implement Montessori at home:

– Let your child find his/her shoes in the morning. Ask them to help with the velcro.

– Let your child hold your hand from the car and walk into the building.

– Let your child tear the lettuce for your dinner salad.

–  Ask your child to find his/her own backpack and coat before school.

For older children:

-See if they can put their shoes on by themselves.

– Let your child wash the table before dinner.

– Give them a simple task of carrying a bowl to the table or set out the utensils.

– Give them a choice of pajamas to choose from and see how much they can undress and dress before bedtime.

Toddlers are very willing to try and very willing to help. Remember at school they wash, dry and fold laundry. They set the table, water plants, feed the pets, wash the floor, wash the dishes, the sink, and the tables, and love contributing to the community.

Sincerely,

Kristy