Philosophy Highlights

Philosophy Highlights

We made it through two weeks of philosophy training! It was amazing. The things I think I'll most take away from that is this:

1.) Follow the child

This is something you'll hear a lot from a Montessori teacher. Children have "sensitive periods" where their brains are primed to learn a specific skill. You've seen it, that 3 year old that is obsessed with lining things up, they are in a sensitive period for ORDER. You're 4 year old who just wants to know what 3 + 12 is, how tall that mountain is, how many degrees is the sun? They are in the sensitive period for MATH. There is a sensitive period for Language, order, movement, small objects, refinement of the senses, grace and courtesy, writing, reading the spatial relationships. 

A "normalized" child will naturally gravitate to those things that fulfill that need, and a Montessori classroom is set up in a way to provide an environment rich in objects and materials that will also fullfill that need for learning when the child is most ripe to receive it. the Key to "follow the child" is to give the child the freedom to choose for themselves. It's this liberty that is the key to a child who is following their sensitive periods, learning self-discipline and just being really happy!


2.) Observe observe observe!!!

A Montessori teacher doesn't teach in the traditional sense. She presents lessons, yes, but she lets the child teach themself, through interactions and experimentation with the environment. This is where true learning takes place, experimentation. The materials in a Montessori classroom are set up in a way so that a teacher doesn't even really have to be there after the initial presentation. They are self correcting, so that the child can tell when they've made a mistake. this means that the teacher is free to observe the child, to see where they are excelling, where they are struggling, clues to their development, likes and dislikes. When we know the child, that is when we are most able to help them succeed. 


3.)  teach the child to do it themself

Children want to be free, the best way to free your child, do empower them to do things themself. Children become fussy, and throw a tantrum because they feel controlled. What if they could do the things they need to all on their own? Children in the Montessori method  are taught to dress themselves, make their own meals, clean up after themselves, choose their own activities, and more.