Montessori Math

By: Melanie Thiesse

This week Westmont presented a workshop for parents called, "The Marvels of Montessori Math" in which I outlined the progression of our math curriculum. For those of you who could not attend, I thought I would outline the presentation, sharing the highlights of the math that takes place everyday in every classroom at Westmont.

Math work begins (and continues) with the use of our Sensorial materials. These materials, many of them in sets of 10 (the base of our numbering system) and in heights, widths, and weights increasing in perfect mathematical symmetry, help the child to build discriminatory abilities. When you think about both math and reading, a keen awareness of subtle difference if very important if you are going to be able to tell the difference between an S and a 5.  

Preschool children are often taught to count, but the important skill for math preparation is being able to understand that a numeric symbol represents a given quantity. We have numerous materials in our classes for children to practice counting and sorting numbers and matching them to their numeral.

 Once children have a solid understanding of the numbers and quantities 0-9, they have concrete manipulatives to learn numbers in the teens. This concept, requiring the understanding of ten and unit place value, is easily taught using materials that are already familiar with the children. 

Learning numbers 10-99 is also done with manipulatives, allowing the children to "fetch" different quantities with beads and building their numeral to match.

One of the more difficult tasks when learning to count larger numbers is the decade transitions, counting to 100 and remembering which number comes after 59 is a challenging task for a preschooler or kindergarten student. Our materials for that process include the 100 board where children can not only lay out numbered tiles in order from 1-100, but they can learn about patterns in numbers by laying out only the 10's, the 5's or even the 3's. Discovering the patterns these numbers create of the 100 board can be an exciting task!

Getting the first lesson on the Bead Chains is a rite of passage in the Early Childhood classes! The bead chains are linked together bars of the squares or cubes of a given number. For example, the "Short 5 Chain" contains 5 bead bars of 5 beads each, for a total of 25 beads. The children will use this chain to count and at the end of each bar of 5, they will find and place the preprinted ticket with that numeral on it - When finished, finding 5, 10, 15, 20, 25. The amazing this about this activity is the ability for the child to begin counting again at the number where he last left off. So if he last counted 15, then searched for the corresponding ticket, found it, and placed it at the 15th bead, then he would then need to start counting at 16 up to 20. This is a difficult concept to master and one that will serve the child well when adding numbers together. Not to mention that it's a great introduction to skip counting!

One of the all-time-favorites in our Early Childhood classes is the Golden Bead Material used to create the Decimal Layout. With these manipulatives, a child can create the quantity and numeral for any number from 1-9999! 

Kindergarten - A Montessori Experience

As we prepare for our Kindergarten Information Session we would like to share a video from The American Montessori Society which explains why The Kindergarten Year in a Montessori School completes an important cycle.

Join us on Saturday January 20 (snow date January 27) for an up close and personal presentation on Westmont’s Kindergarten program.  Meet alum students, alum parents and faculty as we guide you through an experience that you will not want your child to miss.  Child care available at no charge.

Snowy Fun With Your Children

Just because the snowy season is underway it does not mean that outdoor fun has to stop. Although some days may be too cold for outside play, on days when bundling up is possible there are lots of fun things to do and explore outside, and the snow can make it that much more fun! Here are some great ideas to keep your young ones learning and developing during the snowy weather.

1. Make a bird feeder and hang it near a window so you can watch the birds that visit in the warmth of your house.
2. Use sand castle toys to play in the snow.
3. Make a maze in the snow by walking in the shape of a path, pushing the snow down as you walk.
4. Create a snow road for playing with cars on. Or use toy construction trucks to plow and move snow around.
5. Bring a bucket of snow indoors to play with on a sand or water table or even in the bathtub.
6. Don't stop with a snowman, build snow animals, too! 
7. Blow bubbles in cold air below 32 degrees and see what happens.

For more ideas, browse through these great sites:
https://www.care.com/c/stories/3931/101-snow-games-and-activities-for-kids/
https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/snow-activities-kids/
https://handsonaswegrow.com/32-snow-theme-activities-kids/

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.

Hand Washing to the Rescue

It is that time of the year.  Colds, coughs, runny noses and the dreaded flu are upon us all. Parents frequently ask what can be done to cut down on the spread of germs from child to child in school and at home.

Did you know, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of disease?  The CDC calls it a, “do-it-yourself vaccine.”   Teaching children appropriate hand hygiene habits can result in the removal of germs, preventing the spread of germs, decrease of infections, absenteeism, and associated costs.

Preschools are required to teach, model and enforce proper handwashing techniques at all times of the year.  Teaching from the earliest age with the goal of hand washing being as routine as getting dressed in the morning is a win for everyone.

Many experts agree that for hand hygiene promotion to be effective in changing behaviors and cutting down on the spread of illness, we need to create a family-centered approach. Handwashing steps utilized in schools can be reinforced at home. With parents and teachers on the same page and having consistent expectations, proper hand washing will become the norm.

Here are some tips on teaching when and how to wash hands:

When children are required to wash their hands in school:

·         Upon entering the classroom from the outside, either home or playground

·         Before eating snack or lunch

·         Before any food preparation

·         After using the toilet

·         After blowing one’s nose or touching one’s nose

·         After coughing or sneezing into one’s hands

·         After touching garbage

It is equally important to know how to wash hands for optimum results, think about these 5 simple steps:

• Wet: Place hands under running water
• Lather: Apply soap to hands
• Scrub: Hands must be scrubbed for 20 seconds; rule of thumb is, count to 20 or sing or hum Happy Birthday twice
• Rinse: Hands must be rinsed under clean, running water
• Dry: Hands must be dried using a clean towel, or they can be air dried

Working on this at home and at school will most definitely cut down on the spread of illness and give children a healthy life long tool.

Great New Research on Montessori Outcomes!

The newest research in education has shown that Montessori early childhood education has significant advantages in several areas of learning. The study looked at seven areas; Academic Ability, Theory of Mind, Social Problem Solving, Executive Function, Mastery Orientation, School Enjoyment, and Creativity. For those of us who have seen the benefits of Montessori education first-hand, the results are not surprising. Take a look at the results yourself, published here in Frontiers in Psychology, and see if you agree!

Social Development Milestones: Ages 1 to 4

By Linda DiProperzio

Not sure if your child is on the right track for developing social skills? Be on the lookout for these indicators.

Whether you have an outgoing or shy little one, socialization is an important part of your child's overall development. "[A] baby's social development is tied to so many other areas," says Heather Wittenberg, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist specializing in child development. "Walking, in particular, triggers a cascade of milestones. And since most children begin to walk around the one-year mark, this is when you'll really start to see some big social milestones occur."

These milestones are important because they prepare a child to manage personal feelings, understand others' feelings and needs, and interact in a respectful and acceptable way. Find out what to expect when it comes to your child's social development.

Age 1

Although mommy-and-me programs are a great way to introduce your toddler to other kids, he will pick up most of his social cues from you. At this age, you'll notice your baby is able to:

Begin basic communication. One-year-olds will predominantly point and vocalize to express their intentions, says Maria Kalpidou, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. It's important to interact with your toddler by acknowledging what he's looking at and pointing out other cool things around him.

Recognize familiar people. When he sees Grandma and Grandpa, the babysitter, the pediatrician, and other familiar people, your toddler will begin to greet them with a smile (or a cry, depending on his mood!). "If the baby isn't paying attention to anyone around [him], that is definitely a red flag," Dr. Wittenberg says. "You want him to be aware of what -- and who -- is around him, even if he cries when someone besides Mom and Dad walks into the room."

Interact with you. If your child hands you toys, this shows his willingness and ability to engage with others. This also sets the stage for lessons in taking turns, but don't expect too much on the sharing front just yet. "Back-and-forth playing is so important," Dr. Wittenberg says. "You want your child to show signs of independence but also to be keyed into appropriate social situations."

Age 2

Around this age, your child is engaging more with those around her, but she still prefers to play with Mom and Dad. Right now, your child is able to:

Begin to socialize. Children typically engage in parallel play at this age; this means that they play next to instead of with each other. "There isn't a lot of interaction with kids at this stage but it's still important to give your child time with other kids," Dr. Wittenberg says.

Defend territory. This is the age where kids start fighting over toys and declaring, "It's mine!" Sharing is, of course, very difficult at this age, as 2-year-olds can't see another child's perspective. "Their social behavior reflects egocentric thinking, and their behavior is guided by their desires," Dr. Kalpidou says. Model sharing and taking turns with your spouse to help your child learn these important social actions.

Extend relationships to other people. Showing an interest in others is a key part of socialization, and kids will begin to seek out interactions beyond those with Mom and Dad. Whether it's playing with Grandma and Grandpa or waving hello to the cashier at the market, your toddler is learning to enjoy the company of others. Although some kids aren't as outgoing around others, don't be so quick to label them as "shy." "Parents often see shyness as a negative, but it's normal for kids to be slow to warm [up] to people they don't know or don't see very often," Dr. Wittenberg explains. "Give your child time to adjust to new situations and follow her lead."

Age 3

Your child might soon be starting preschool, where he'll have other peers to socialize with and a chance to forge a few friendships. Right now, you'll notice that he is able to:

Seek out others. Associative play begins at this age, so your child will start to look for other kids. "It's important at this stage to give your child plenty of opportunities to spend time with peers," Dr. Wittenberg advises. But your child will need help in navigating these social situations. Although he can understand some behavioral and safety rules, offer gentle reminders about sharing and taking turns.

Use his imagination. Dress-up, pretend play, and other creative activities will be part of playdates. "Your child will also make friends based on mutual interests," Dr. Kalpidou says. The concept of sharing can still be hard for kids this age, but this is also a time where they can understand compromise and be respectful of one another. "Kids this age are more likely to solve conflicts with friends in order to maintain their play and show more positive behaviors to one another," Dr. Kalpidou adds.

Start to understand emotions. Your child still learns best from you, so point out different feelings (happy, sad, scared) when watching TV or reading a book. This will help your child be more aware of his own feelings as well as those of others. Also, kids will start to show empathy by offering hugs and kisses when needed.

Age 4

Kindergarten is right around the corner, and your big girl will soon learn the ropes of socializing with new friends. At this age, she is able to:

Show interest in being part of a group. Your child now enjoys playing with others and interacting with her peers more. Experts say this is a good age to sign kids up for a sports team, such as soccer or T-ball. "Choose activities where there aren't too many rules or restrictions," Dr. Wittenberg suggests. "If not, it can ruin the experience for them and they'll never want to play again."

Share and cooperate more with others. There will still be tugs-of-war over toys, but your child can understand the concept of sharing and waiting her turn. "There is an increased awareness of other people's minds, which allows children to develop negotiation skills, resolve conflicts verbally, monitor the emotional state of a group, and regulate other children's behavior," Dr. Kalpidou says.

Be physically affectionate. By now your little one is offering plenty more hugs and kisses to you and showing affection toward family and friends, especially when she sees them in distress. "Kids this age engage in more pro-social behaviors, such as sharing and expressing sympathy," Dr. Kalpidou says.

Exert more independence. The catch-22 of parenting is that you want your child to be more independent, but she often picks the worst times to do things her way, as when she insists on dressing herself when you're running late, or when she wants to help you put away her toys (but in the wrong place). Still, being confident and comfortable in her own abilities is an important part of successfully socializing, especially as she gets older.

Copyright © 2013 Meredith Corporation.