Nurturing Altruism

"Children are eager to help with all sorts of troubles. And what's more, they seem to enjoy it!" This remarkable statement from The Human Sparks series on PBS, highlights how humans are naturally altruistic. They get great pleasure out of accomplishing tasks for others. 

In the Montessori classroom, we help to nurture altruism by creating an environment that belongs to the children. The children learn to put their work away on the shelves, roll up their rugs, and push in their chairs not because the teacher tells them to but because it is helpful to their friends. With multi-age classrooms, children are given many opportunities to help each other as well. Older children can give lessons to younger children, help them put on their coat, and work together with them on tasks. It is the work of the children to take care of and respect the environment, themselves, and others - and they derive great joy in doing so!

If you would like to watch the segment of The Human Spark that shares some examples of the studies from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, take a look at the clip below.

Made by Small Hands

Thanksgiving is a time for being grateful.

Another theme of the holiday season is generosity. Of course, the excitement of getting gifts often becomes the primary focus for children. However, we can help them learn the pleasure of giving to others. The gifts we give are another way to show our gratitude to someone.

Talk with your children about the many ways to be generous, whether gifting time, favors, presents, or words of appreciation. Your gift list may include family, friends, neighbors, and service workers. Children are amazingly insightful and will come up with original ideas, as together you discover the perfect "thank you" for that special someone.

Include the Children

Although sometimes it is easier just to purchase a gift for your child to give another, it is rewarding to involve children in the process of gift-making and giving. This allows your child to be a part of the surprise whether or not they are able to keep the secret. If possible, include your child in the process of wrapping and delivering the gift, too.

Montessori observed that children become acquainted with the world through movement and experience. The process of making something instills an inner satisfaction in the child which he wants to share. By "doing it myself," the gift becomes a gift of the child's self.

(taken from: http://www.montessoriservices.com/ideas-insights/giving-thanks-and-making-gifts)

Montessori classrooms support growth during first days of school

A Montessori classroom is carefully prepared to “follow each child” as he engages in joyful learning while building independence and confidence.

The first few days of school are very important toward helping children acclimate to new routines, new friends and new teachers.

Reviewing a few basic principles will help, such as;

* Pushing in a chair when you leave the table

* Walking around rugs and work

* Rolling a rug

* Sitting in a circle

* Using the right voice in the classroom

* Washing hands

* Stopping when the bell rings (or a signal is given)

And the teachers do just that!  In addition to the carefully prepared environment, Montessori classrooms have another special feature that support a cohesive beginning: multi-age communities of children. One of the benefits of a Montessori multi-age classroom is that the returning, older friends can make the back-to-school transition easier for everyone by becoming role models for their younger friends. Younger or new friends can look to the older, returning friends for cues on how to interact with the environment and each other.

As it is customary for children to stay in the same classroom for multiple years, it means that the returning students will already know the basic ebbs and flow of the classroom. These children have an opportunity to build and hone their leadership skills vis-à-vis their younger friends. The peer cooperation that is established helps build self-esteem for both the younger and the older child.

Dr. Montessori’s vision was to create a closely-knit community in each classroom—one where each child becomes a contributing, sharing member of their school family. A multi-age classroom provides a natural environment where students learn to care for and trust one another. This strong, naturally forming bond is what helps create the peaceful, industrious hum of the Montessori classroom.

We look forward to building great communities this year!

Learn more about Montessori education.