Notes from the Classroom...
In the last few weeks, I’ve spent a few hours in a Montessori pre-school, for the next part of the Early Childhood course: learning how to do observations. Being able to carry out accurate, meaningful observations of children and to evaluate the data sensitively is a vital skill for a Montessori teacher and it’s only once you’ve attempted to do it that you realise how very difficult it can be. Particularly when you are balanced on a very small, low chair and are attempting to not become the focus of attention yourself!
It has been a great eye-opener for me to go into the setting as a student. I am very grateful to the staff and the parents who have allowed me to park myself in the corner with my notebook and observe the goings on – and the children who tolerated my presence. Not only did I get a chance to gather enough information in order to do my assignments, but I also got a privileged opportunity to watch how the Montessori pre-school thrives.
It reminded me so much of a beehive; everyone content, comfortable and purposeful, busying themselves, sometimes interacting, sometimes working alone but always a peaceful, happy atmosphere pervading. The gentle hum as the children work, often singing as they came and went, punctuated occasionally by a whoop of joy as a small group finish a task they’ve embarked on together, or a by laugh shared between teacher and child.
As I sat on that very small chair, knees up by my ears, scribbling away, one of the teachers joked that I was a bit too big to go to a Montessori school. And actually, part of me felt a pang of regret that I didn’t have an opportunity like this as a child. I look forward to the end of my course when I hopefully will become part of this fantastic movement, bringing such an opportunity to a new generation of children.
It’s the end of the school year for this particular pre-school and there are quite a few children leaving to go on to various primary schools in the area. Every single child is of course unique, but they all shared a gentle confidence that comes from being accustomed to being self-reliant. They were an absolute credit to that school and those teachers who had lovingly helped them ‘help themselves’, as Montessori once said. Going into the classroom increases my respect for the work that the Montessori teacher does.
I am sure the children will go on to be a credit to their new schools too – but most importantly, I believe each one will continue, rightly, to have pride in themselves. They have had the best foundation they could possibly have had in that warm, supportive Montessori school and I hope that the modest, yet powerful self-assurance they possess will last with them throughout their lives.
The lessons I will take away with me from these observation sessions are, I suspect, going to stay with me for a long time. Roll on September, a new term and more opportunities to go back to the Montessori classroom.
In what way do you think children – and you – benefit from the Montessori environment? Let us know in the comments below!
