Learning the Montessori way

As most of you know I have a passion for providing free and self directed play, especially in nature, for families. I have noticed there is a lot of articles out there stating children need only play based curriculums during the first 6 years of life to become successful and that teaching formal education at an early age is not required. My children are still little however I observe their aptitude for academia and I wanted to write about our experience and how supportive and empowering formal education has been for them, coupled with play.

I have observed first hand all the incredible skills that blossom during play time such as social navigation, resilience strengthening, creativity and imagination development, to name a few. And have a desire to offer these opportunities to my children and to all families. However, due to the observation of my own kids, plus my insight into the work of Maria Montessori, I have my doubts that this alone would have been enough for them.

Since my son was little I've observed his thirst for different languages. When he was 3 years old he would come up with homophones (words that sound the same and have different meanings) and this year he taught himself the Hebrew songs for the Jewish celebration of Passover by listening to Spotify. My son's teachers recognised his ‘sensitive period’ for language and with Montessori tools, he was able to gain a concrete understanding of letter sounds, letter formations and now has a strong basis to read and write successfully which has become his focus at four and a half. The sensitive periods are noticeable times in the child's development where the child can learn specific concepts more easily and naturally.

My daughter attends the Early Learners program at Melbourne Montessori. In this program they are 'helping her to help herself' which is the philosophy that echoes throughout the whole school. She is learning to care for her body independently, given opportunities to strengthen her hand muscles with puzzles and playdoh and is exposed to sensorial experiences such as sound and smell matching games which intentionally introduces the world around her. Although she may come across these skills with well intentioned parents, I know that I have a lot to learn from the very experienced teachers who care for her.

The skills in which my children are learning in their formal school environment are supported by their free play experiences at home and visa versa. Building up the proficiency of self-discipline, concentration and motivation are skills that are empowered both at school and at home. Since birth, we have encouraged independent play using a 'Yes' space coined by Janet Lansbury. A very safe place to play without interruption and any interference from adults as the child is free to do as they wish as there is no safety concerns. This space in our home indirectly strengthens our child’s focus muscle and internal desires to concentrate for long periods of time in their play.

At Montessori school, learning to focus and concentrate for long periods of time is an intentional area of development within the curriculum. Each individual child is encouraged to reach their full potential and building the skills of self-motivation and self-discipline is core in continuing in their life learning journey. These specific skills are embedded into every aspect of the classroom in both unassuming ways such as waiting for their turn at the snack table or more directly in endeavouring to do a  ‘job’ that has many concrete materials the child needs to collect before engaging with the activity.

I believe ‘play’ alone would not be enough for my children. I must admit that I have not seen first hand Peter Gray's 'Sudbury Valley School' or the formal forest school I read so much about. I look forward to one day having the opportunity to visit.

I can see that my children have a huge appetite to learn academia and delve into the world around them and for now I feel so lucky that Melbourne Montessori is available for us.
The school provides a wonderful support to the environment we wish to create for our children to be competent individuals who respect themselves, others and the world around them.

What does it mean to observe more and enjoy most?

Over the last four years, I have been studying the RIE philosophy/ Educaring Approach and ‘Play’ in early childhood. And the one quote that I always think about is this one from Magda Gerber.

“Observe more, do less.

                         Do less, enjoy more." Magda Gerber

Observation of anything, your peers, your parents, your self and your children is the key to successful relationships. It gives you time and allows for the understanding of the perspective of the other.

Now those who know me from my teenage years would know that empathy is not a strong point for me. I could practice sympathy, however, to understand someone else’s life, choices and opinion, I very much struggled. Using this phrase has helped me to see that each one of us has a story and has had that influence how we see the world and therefore act in certain ways. From this, I am able to enjoy my relationships and grow them deeper and stronger.

The impact of this phrase in my parenting practice has been the most powerful.  It is a reminder to slow down, to notice the capabilities of your individual child and to revel in what you are seeing.

At the beginning, I would just sit and watch my tiny baby and gush as any new mother would. However, coupled with my reading of child development I began to see so much more. For example, I know that when my 3-year-old is tired and really wants to go to sleep, he will hurry through the bedtime routine, not skip anything because of his sense of order. At this time we must stick to the ‘norm’, if we don’t he will lose it.

Observing a child allows you to see that each will achieve the ‘milestones’ in their own way. You will begin to take note of the steps in between. My daughter who is a little over one has begun to do ‘downward dog’ I remember my son doing this just before he learned to walk. With this in mind, I make sure she has ample room to practice and on different surfaces to build the muscles for balance.

When watching your child play, this quote can help us remember not to interrupt them or direct them, instead learn to value what they are doing and approach their play with a sense of wonder. It is harder in testing situations, such as when a child falls or is struggling to climb or even in a social squabble.  But it is best to wait for when we are needed as we may not be needed at all.

If you have considered this approach I would love to hear what you have observed and enjoyed?

Observe more, Enjoy Most

Vanessa