Montessori Anyone?

[Blackcat31]

I believe, and many Montessorians believe, that it is impossible to exactly duplicate the Montessori Children's House environment in a home because

1. Much of the philosophy has to do with social learning, bigs teach littles how to do things, littles see bigs putting toys away, demonstrating works, etc. I only have 6 children in my daycare, so not enough to truly have the large children's community feeling. 12 would be bettr, but still not the same as a Mont. class that typically has 20-30.

2. Mont. classrooms operate with a 3 "teacher" system. One is solely on demonstrating works to children, she moves around the room showing kids proper procedure for works. Another teacher is solely a manager, helping kids put toys away, cleaning up, prepping lunch, etc. The 3rd is the mediator, I think, hard to remember now. I think the 3rd helps facilitate apologies, distracted behavior, anticipate and redirect. In the home setting, I work alone, I have to do it all by myself and so my attention is very divided, if you have an assistant it would be much better.

3. For me, maybe not you, but I currently have ages 6months-5 years. The toddling/crawling babies make it almost impossible for me to put out challenging trays for the toddlers. I don't have the space or eyes to watch seperate groups, nor would I want to because I love how the bigs are compassionate and play with the babies.

Oh ok, gotta ya! Yes, that makes a lot of sense.

I do have 12 and I also have the space too so my 0-3's and my 3-6's have separate areas so I can put out trays and materials that the littles don't have access too.

My under 1's are completely separate so they have space all their own, which I love, but feel defeats the purpose as I want them to learn from the older ones but because of safety, it just isn't always possible.

Another thing I am missing is the 3 teacher concept as I only have myself too and a morning/lunch helper. I would really LOVE to go all out though and have the "ideal" set up. But for now, it is only a future dream.

[Blackcat31]

You're right Blackcat, Mont. seperates ages 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12. I think it's terrific you're working on your cert and it sounds like you can get VERY close to the Mont. environment! I didn't mean to be a party pooper and say you can't do Mont. at home, you CAN get very very close and in some ways better! Many Mont. schools don't even have 0-3 because originally Maria Montessori expected babies that young to be home with mothers learning at their feet in their own environment. Today though with so many working parents infant/toddler Mont is being offered and that's great too.

Oh, I didn't take your post as a "party-pooper" post at all! I was just super interested in other people's takes on Montessori. It is truly fascinating and has some excellent learning ideals and methods that are great, just not always possible in today environments.

I think that many of the early approaches that we are taught in school were designed around the concept that preschool learning meant kids 3 and up and like you said, babies were home being raised by their mothers and never in need of "schooling".

I think that we, as a society, definitely have to change and adapt to the things that change in our current surroundings and simply do the closest thing we can according to what we believe.

[Heidi]

I'm wondering about this. I know one Montesori technique is the mat or tray system, where each child take out a toy (I know...their "work" not play), and uses it on their mat or tray, then returns it.

Space is such an issue for me, but I have a little guy who is not a strong player (and he'll be 3 next month). He spends a lot of time floating around, grabbing other children's things, but then drops it and moves on. He rarely uses toys appropriately.

I'm wondering if the mat thing could help him and the others as well? But then, how do you incorporate things like art supplies, dramatic play, and other things that can't be kept in a defined space? Or, do you set aside a scheduled time for such activities?

Also...I know Montessori is a lot about life skills. I was thinking about buying one of those non-electric rug/floor sweeper things they use in restaurants. Do you think the kids could work it? Do those things actually pick up anything?

[melskids]

I'm wondering about this. I know one Montesori technique is the mat or tray system, where each child take out a toy (I know...their "work" not play), and uses it on their mat or tray, then returns it.

Space is such an issue for me, but I have a little guy who is not a strong player (and he'll be 3 next month). He spends a lot of time floating around, grabbing other children's things, but then drops it and moves on. He rarely uses toys appropriately.

I'm wondering if the mat thing could help him and the others as well? But then, how do you incorporate things like art supplies, dramatic play, and other things that can't be kept in a defined space? Or, do you set aside a scheduled time for such activities?

Also...I know Montessori is a lot about life skills. I was thinking about buying one of those non-electric rug/floor sweeper things they use in restaurants. Do you think the kids could work it? Do those things actually pick up anything?

I have one of those floor sweepers...I got it at a yard sale. I cut the handle down, and the kids walk all ove rthe house with it.

[countrymom]

well I show them what life skills are, like today---we are leaving for our trip later today so I was cleaning the house (I hate coming home and then having to clean) well I was cleaning the toilets and dcg asked me what I was doing, so I told her that I had to clean the toilets, I asked her if her mom cleans the toilet and she says "no" I then remembered that they have a maid that comes in and does things. I let my dck's help me with all the basic life skills, but how do you stop them from fighting when it comes to loading and unloading the dishwasher they all want to help.

[Heidi]

well I show them what life skills are, like today---we are leaving for our trip later today so I was cleaning the house (I hate coming home and then having to clean) well I was cleaning the toilets and dcg asked me what I was doing, so I told her that I had to clean the toilets, I asked her if her mom cleans the toilet and she says "no" I then remembered that they have a maid that comes in and does things. I let my dck's help me with all the basic life skills, but how do you stop them from fighting when it comes to loading and unloading the dishwasher they all want to help.

...same system here today. Leaving for the weekend, hate comming back to a dirty house. Everyone (including 9 yo) was sooooo tired this morning, so, for once I turned on the tv, gave them all their blankets, closed the curtains, and they watched a half hour of the Smurfs while I scrubbed the bathroom and ran the vacuum through the downstairs.

I can never do the downstairs (family room, and our master suite), because either the kids are upstairs (and I can't here them), or they are sleeping downstairs, so I can't get in there then either. Last thing I want to do on weekends or evenings is clean more. So, once every week or two (usually 1.5...), I take them downstairs, and then they "help" me clean, or they get to play with a few different toys while I do it.

[Sprouts]

I do a VERY Montessori-inspried programas well. I LOVE the theory and approach to teaching.

I am curious though, why you feel it would be impossible to recreate the environment? I ONLY take children that fall into the two early age categories (birth to 3 and 3-6).

I am just beginning the certification process and super excited about it!!

Luckily for me, my DH is a wood worker by trade and makes almost all of my toys and materials.

Hey! I wrote back to u did u get my pm? I think I may have sent it more then once because I didn't thhink it went through,

But any way which Montessori program are u getting certified through?

[Blackcat31]

Hey! I wrote back to u did u get my pm? I think I may have sent it more then once because I didn't thhink it went through,

But any way which Montessori program are u getting certified through?

I did, but I thought I replied back.....maybe not.. sorry.

I am doing certification through the NAMC North American Montessori Center. http://www.montessoritraining.net/pr...troduction.htm

It is on-line so that is super nice since the only other options in my area are at least 3-4 hours away. The set up the NAMC has is fantastic and really works for people who can't take time to attend an on-site classroom on a regular basis.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I love Montessori.

This sounds crazy, but recently my children have been taking their "SPOTS" (toddler prefolds dyed pretty colors) and making them their "tables." Their name, very clever. No one can bother their "table." It is theirs and theirs alone to work on. They just put it on the floor. Works great. Eventually, it would be nice to get little rugs/fabric pieces that are a little larger. But, even the new 2-year-olds understand not to touch other people's work.

[Sprouts]

I love Montessori.

This sounds crazy, but recently my children have been taking their "SPOTS" (toddler prefolds dyed pretty colors) and making them their "tables." Their name, very clever. No one can bother their "table." It is theirs and theirs alone to work on. They just put it on the floor. Works great. Eventually, it would be nice to get little rugs/fabric pieces that are a little larger. But, even the new 2-year-olds understand not to touch other people's work.

Lol that's so funny to use prefolds! :: they know what has been on there so it's like their own territory!

Blackcat let me know how the online class work! I have been looking into that , don't have the time right now but would love to take that course eventually as well! Are u doing the 3-6?

[countrymom]

Does anyone know if they have something in Ontario that isnt expensive

[Hunni Bee]

I looked at a lot.of the videos online, and they all seemed a little cold in their manner of instructing the children. But I do like and agree with most of their philosophy.

I always had elements of Montessori in my classroom - opting for materials rather than toys, a mixed-age group, having chores. I've been trying to figure out for years how to get my current group to play more meaningfully - they do a lot of house/mommy-and-baby scenarios and superhero/monster play, and they like to play in one big mob. I would like to introduce some more Montessori-inspired elements into my program in September, but everything is so chaotic right now and Im not going to be there very much longer anyway.

I do however plan to pull a great deal from it when my own daycare opens. One thing i didn't see much about is how to deal if the children dont seem to be catching on or are uncooperative or show behavior problems.

[Hunni Bee]

Sorry to keep pestering the Montessori thread

There are no words to tell how much I love this lovethis

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38060609@N05/sets/72157622778099935/

I've followed her blog for about a year, but I've just found this...mesmorized. I can't wait to make some of this stuff. Aside from dolls, blocks, Little People, etc...I don't plan to have many "toys" in my daycare. From my experience, they cause kids to be territorial, they're rarely gender-neutral and most of them these days have lights, sounds, screens etc -which I hate.

[EchoMom]

OMG thanks for sharing!!! So many pics I could be looking for hours!!! So many ideas!!! I want to go shopping now! Here's another amazing blog full of ideas and inspiring pics:

http://howwemontessori.typepad.com/

[Heidi]

Lol that's so funny to use prefolds! :: they know what has been on there so it's like their own territory!

Blackcat let me know how the online class work! I have been looking into that , don't have the time right now but would love to take that course eventually as well! Are u doing the 3-6?

WHAT are pre-folds? Diapers?