When we send our children off into the world of “school” we are left to ponder what they are like with other children when their parent is absent. At about the age of 2 or 3 most children are looking for something outside of the home. We can see this when our child wants to play with others at the park, or talk to another child at the store. Humans are social beings so it just makes sense that our little ones will follow suit.
Watching a bug is a group activity!
If you have your child in a Montessori school you are in LUCK! There are many opportunities for our children to be social. They work together, talk, dance, play, learn and much more. Many people have told me that when they think of a Montessori classroom they are put off by the fact that children are engaged in their own activities and not together. This is done by design. Each child in the room is interested in learning different things, some might be practicing sounds, some numbers, others shapes or refining handwriting. The classroom is set up to meet each childs needs as they make their was through the cirruculum. This results in individual lessons given to each child. This does not, however, mean that the children are disconnected from each other.
sitting together reading
They spend their day freely moving around the classroom, weaving around rugs and children on the floor, choosing work, chatting, having snacks, etc. There is A LOT of time for socialization. As the children get older (around the age of 4) Montessori devised a whole group of lessons that need to be given in groups of 2-3 children at a time. Children are also encouraged to go to other children for help. Yes, this means that the adult is NOT the answer, it is usually another child in the class that is sought out to help.
“Helping”
I love that the child’s emotional and social growth is held at the core of the Montessori method. Learning to be patient, considerate, loving and kind. These things are not “taught” or “imposed” by an adult. In the Montessori classroom these are simply LIVED, leaving a harmonious group of children to be in a community together.
