I am learning so much about Montessori! The more I learn, the more I
want to learn! And the more I want to incorporate into our day.
I am amazed at how many ideas I learned in college and while working at my former preschool, that were directly from the Montessori Method and/or inspired by her.
Maria Montessori got no credit- in my experience with Early Childhood Education at least, she was mentioned in one paragraph in the textbooks if at all. There also were many misconceptions about the method...I remember being told that children were not allowed to talk, or play with each other but interestingly, as we have tried things here, I have seen that it is because the children are
so engaged and intent on what they are doing that they do not speak- it is not because they are not "allowed" to. Also, her philosophy incorporates peace education and working together, so that piece has been misconstrued altogether.
We have started using the work rugs. The children have their choice of working/playing alone or allowing a friend to join in. I am finding that this is so respectful; and at the ages our kids are at now, often they would prefer to work alone than have their building knocked down accidentally or carelessly etc
Yet other times, they are very open to having another child join them....so there ends up being great freedom in the restriction. The kids can relax and become engaged in what they are doing- or enjoy some company. I am pleasantly surprised.
I also believe in developmentally appropriate practices. I am leery of academics at the preschool level because it can so often be pushed on children who are not interested and not ready, plus there is so much learning to be had in the environment and in everyday experiences and conversations.
I am intrigued with Montessori's Methods here too, because advanced concepts are presented to the children but it is through play- and it is totally self-directed learning....the materials are available yet the child does not HAVE to use them. I like this alot, in fact it was how my former preschool did things.
For Lanie's Place, it takes things a step further because the Montessori environment is set up in such an organized and thoughtful way and the children are taught how to care for the environment and how to use it, which means that the children end up having even more freedom in their choices. They are learning what sparks their interest and what they are ready for. I love it, it inspires a love of learning which is an in-born trait in all children.
The Montessori Fever part comes in, because I just ordered a ton of Montessori sensorial materials. You will soon be seeing the pink tower, the brown stair, red rods, the counting spindles and many other really cool materials. I will be introducing them slowly, so the children can learn how to use them and take care of them. I am excited, if they take to them the way they have enjoyed the Practical Life activities, it will be an amazing experience!
I also have plans for care of self, including setting up a face washing/nose blowing area; so the children can practice and gain skills there. I will be obtaining a shoe horn, to help them with their shoes. All sorts of "little" things like that, but which the kids do want to learn and do feel good about being able to do themselves.
All of this takes place during "free play"...and it is called "work" too but it is that good kind of work- you know the kind, the things you do and learn which you enjoy because they are so challenging and so interesting and so absorbing, that you lose all sense of time :)
