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“…children are still trying to figure out all their different identities, and they’re trying to figure out who other people are and they’re still being daily bombarded by both negative and positive messages about who they are. And children are learning very early that there are power issues and that there are some identities that give you more social powers than others… doesn’t allow children to grow up to their fullest potential and fullest ability… I have seen the wonderful impact of using… an anti-biased approach not just on the children but the teachers who have to kind of figure out who they are and understand themselves, and figure out their own discomforts and misinformation. So I see adults finding their voice as a result of doing this work.”
In listening to this, it reminds me that often we can learn from those we teach just as much as they learn from us, if not more. By learning from the children we work with, we continue to keep positive outlooks as well as perspective- to keep what is in the best interest of the child the goal.
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” –Maria Montessori
I think it is important to remember that everyone learns at different rates, and some things come more easily to some than others. It is easy to want to help children when things look difficult, but it is important to let them succeed on their own, so they can be proud of their own accomplishments, and have confidence in themselves. From putting on a coat to working out a math problem in calculus class, letting a child do things independently is an essential ingredient in personal growth.
“Young children love the doing of an activity more than the end product” -Dr. Bredekamp
“Young children love the doing of an activity more than the end product” -Dr. Bredekamp
Although I have mixed feelings about the Montessori pre-school teaching method and philosophy, I was touched by the quote you chose by Maria Montessori. I think the key words here are "which he feels he can succeed." Looking back at my son's childhood, I think that my husband and I did too much for Adam. He needed to learn to do things for himself, but I do not think that I understood the importance of Adam's learning for himself. I did what I did because I thought it was "right." Since then, I have the philosophy that when a child makes a mistake, it's an opportunity for learning. Just the other day, I observed a teacher cleaning up for a 4-year-old who spilled some juice. Later on, I questioned the teacher, who told me "she would have made a bigger mess cleaning up." We, then, spent a long time chatting about this attitude... I believe the teacher understood that although this little girl might not have cleaned up like an adult, she certainly would have done the best she could at her age. Maria Montessori certainly understood this... thanks for sharing, Caroline!
ReplyDeleteI love the quote by Maria Montessori. My son is autistic and he is more of a hands on learner. The Montessori school in my area close down. I did not have the opportunity to put my son in a Montessori school. I know I would have loved the school and he would have loved the school. He does not learn in the typical way his peers learn. He needed a different option. I would like to start a Montessori school. I really enjoyed the quotes you chose.
ReplyDeleteI wrote the previous post. Rohzawne
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