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!
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