Freedom to Observe, Freedom to Move

Montessori environments differ from many other classrooms in that they are set up to inspire free movement – from table to table, from shelf to rug.  These are not the classrooms that most Americans grew up with that featured desks in a row and blackboards, with teachers standing in the front of the room.

Maria Montessori knew that young children need to move in order to learn, to ignite that flow of energy by connecting pathways in their brains.

Today, for example, one of our youngest children was moving between two working rugs in the classroom, choosing numbers, then letters, at the direction of the teacher.  Doing this improves memory and number/letter recognition.  It’s along the way from rug to rug, that the thought of what an “A” looks like becomes real.

For those whose movements may not be as focused, those children’s kinetic energy is equally as important.  From what could look like aimless wandering to those outside the classroom, we know that that child may be choosing work, may be remembering a lesson, or may not know which lesson to request.  Movement helps the mind engage.

This can be confusing though, to visitors who come to observe in the classroom.  From visitor feedback, we sometimes hear that movement of some children is distracting to others, or that some children cannot find work to do or are wandering around the classroom.  Believe it or not, the wanderers can be learning too.   To coin a phrase, not all who wander are lost.  Hence – the power of observation.

Young children learn by watching. They watch their peers, the adults around them and the world.  When you truly watch someone, you are quiet, not touching another person’s work, merely observing a task, but taking mental notes of what you see.  Adults can do it too – allowing a child to try new things, to experience a failure and not step in at the first sign of a mess or a struggle.  Let your child live in the moment and learn to problem solve.  It’s difficult, but the achievement can bring such confidence, whether it be finding his shoes or sweeping the floor around her.  Watch.  And learn.

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We have many exciting plans for this month, including Valentine’s Day and a celebration of Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year

One of the greatest parts of being in a multi-cultural community is celebrating our many cultures together.  Chinese New Year is always a popular celebration.  On February 8th we will be hosting Thelo’s mom, Jeanne, in our classroom.  We plan to make some dumplings together and share some stories about the Year of the Monkey!

Valentine’s Day

We will mark Valentine’s Day on Thursday, Feb. 11 at the end of the morning. If your child wishes to participate, please bring Valentines for each member of the class (27 students).  Your child can make them or you can purchase them.  (No candy or other treats are necessary.) Envelopes do not need to be labeled, as many of our children cannot read names of students yet.  If the envelopes are blank, it is easier for the students to pass them out into other students Valentine’s bags.  (We will make the bags in the coming days.)

Happy reading!

Peace,

Trish