Noise in a Montessori Classroom
Written by:
Charlotte Wood
One of the aspects of a Montessori Classroom which people notice
is the noise, or, rather, the lack thereof. It’s pretty quiet. A room full of
this many adults would be louder.
It’s not silent, though, and no one is making the
children be quiet. They’re quiet because they’re working, concentrating, and
content.
So, what sounds do we hear?
A snippet of a song.
Someone reading or counting out loud. (Silent reading and
counting come later)
Scrubbing. There’s so much washing that happens in a Montessori
classroom, and vigorous scrubbing is loud, at least for Montessori
standards. If a classroom feels “busy” for no apparent reason, often some gross
motor work is happening.
Conversations. Various discussions, affirmations, observations
are shared, primarily between children, though also between adult and child,
and also as monologue.
So much is happening. The air is electric with learning and joy.
Sometimes things fall. Occasionally there’s a small disagreement. But these are
anomalies.
When things fall, it is not because carelessness is the norm. It
is because, really and truly, sometimes things fall. We’ve all experienced
this. Children walking around a classroom are, so much of the time, more aware
and more careful than we are as adults, but we have the benefit of our bodies
being more practiced than theirs are. Have you ever seen a child watch with
terror as their snack slides off their plate, as they are carefully, precisely,
inching forward, and yet there’s nothing they can do? We never carry a plate
that carefully, yet only rarely drop our food. We’re not more careful, just
more practiced.
When the occasional disagreement takes place, it is not because
children are selfish and don’t look out for others. Children are incredibly
empathetic, and look out for one another. They are upset when one of their
classmates is tearful, regardless of the reason, be it a Monday morning or
turkey instead of a cheese sandwich or missing a parent. A disagreement happens
because, though small, these are full humans. They have their own opinions and
thoughts and are free to express them. Sometimes support is required, such as
by an older classmate or adult, “It sounds like you two are having a difficult
time deciding who is going to eat snack/paint at the easel/use the bathroom
first. When you agree, let me know!” When the children agree, both sides are
contented. Adults might, on the surface, not have the same struggle. We’re more
practiced at the social norms of, “no, please, after you.” but, do we really
mean it? Children might express their frustration more readily, but the
agreement is genuine.
The noise that happens is learning and life. It is control and
synapses forming. It is joy and work, really really hard, important, valuable,
life-long work. It is hushed and vigorous. It is good.
