This week in the Children’s House, I am continuing to see the transformation of children attaching to materials that interest them and staying with them for a very long time, developing the beautiful interior gift of concentration! I am seeing children challenging themselves to accomplish a goal and sharing their joy with friends when they reach it- which in turn, sometimes sparks an interest within their friend to set the same goal! ‘Work begets work’ in a Montessori classroom that is thriving!
Last week I mentioned that this is the time of year that we adults slowly elevate the expectation with the children that this is THEIR Children’s House and turn over the responsibility to care for this space. For an older child, putting a work away to the best of their ability means- having it ready for the next person exactly as it appears on the shelf first thing in the morning… perfection…this is a stretch out of our comfort zone, for everyone, as we support the children in these accomplishments. The youngest children, some of whom in the first week, didn’t even choose to bring materials to a table and just worked with it on the shelf, are now already developing true choices, knowing what they want to do, bringing materials to a table, working with them for long periods of time and restoring things back to the same place on the shelf. The tray not looking as close to perfection as the older child, for sure, but restored to the best of their ability. I saw a new three year old pour water from a basin into a bucket with such precision, she looked like a Montessori teacher giving a presentation. It is remarkable! Also this week, a 3 year old supported a 2 year and 8 month old clean up and put away all of her art supplies- getting everything cleaned like it hadn’t been used at all. Again, remarkable!
“It is clear the the formation of man in in our hands. We have the possibility to form the citizen of the world and the study of the young child is fundamental to the peace and progress of humanity.”- Maria Montessori, Citizen of the World.
Dr Montessori, through her writings, actions and pedagogy, advocated for educating for a peaceful world and this has resonated deeply with all who are drawn to this approach. Although, children are unaware of their collective value to the world, they carry within themselves the potential to build a society that is working together toward peace. We have written often about the Absorbent Mind, and when a child absorbs an environment of unity, love, service and peaceful resolution to opposing ideas both at home and at school, this is what resonates in their soul for their whole life. When a child’s environment offers anxiety, intensity, conflict and disorder these are what remain in their soul. (Remembering that the soul is our intellect, our will, and our emotions.)
Dr Montessori observed that the exercises of Walking on the Line, not only helped an individual person refine their own equilibrium but also helped build a cohesive society. When children are walking on the line they are doing it as a group, and are careful of others, noticing how slow or fast someone is moving and figuring out how to adjust themselves to accommodate others. In addition to monitoring themselves, when they join the line they need to assess if there is enough space in-between the other children for them to join in and where in the alignment they might situate themselves. It is one of the few opportunities in life that connect the body and soul.
She also treated each person in the Children’s House with a deep respect, understanding each persons human dignity, no matter how small they were. In our daily interactions with each other, we help elevate the children to know what the expectations are and support them in maintaining those expectations. Not just in how to put a tray away, but also in how we speak to each other. Children put trays away beautifully because we show them how, then we notice when they don’t and offer help so that they can notice these details too. We do the same with language. The other day, two children were chatting away at the snack table laughing and enjoying a little experimentation with some language that we don’t use in the classroom. Most children are modeling appropriate language, so I know they carry within themselves the knowledge of what is good, so when I approached I greeted them and said in a careful tone of voice, “…the expectation at our school is that we use words that are kind and when we speak to each other we use our names… the ones our moms and dads gave us.” And then I moved on. No need to linger. With proper language already modeled, they knew the language that they were using was silly, so they just needed that little bit of adult confirmation and support to hold and maintain the boundaries of what is good and acceptable within our community. Parents can support their children in this way at home as well, using language like, “the expectation is that we … how can I help you do that?” Or “…I’m going to help you do that.” And then help and support in a way that is genuine and charitable. Another way to elevate children at home is by including them in the preparations and celebrations of daily life… they want to be with us and work along side of us, and it is important that we include them.
Our little Children’s House is a very small piece of the global Montessori community, but we are an important cornerstone piece. Because when children attend to the details of caring for themselves, their environment and their choices, they will later attend to the details of serving others, their academic life, and developing their interests, which will later serve all of humanity. St Therese is the patron of little things, and uniting all these little things with Good Shepherd as we walk with him, is the way that we make an impact on our future world.
“Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by humanity through the child.” Maria Montessori, Education and Peace
Song in our classroom:
“Light a candle for peace, light a candle for love, light a candle that shines all the way around the world. Light a candle for me, light a candle for you, that our wish for world peace, may one day come true.”
Jen Ashton, Children’s House Guide