I love coming back to school after an extended break. The children are all DELIGHTED to see each other again. I often get emails from parents that their child had been asking about school….”How many more days?”
By January the children have formed their own community. They are settled in at school and have found out alot about each other. They know who to ask for help getting water, or tying a bow, getting shoes on and much more. The oldest children LOVE being the leaders in the group. They have been in the classroom for many years now and know how things work. The younger children look up to these “helpers” and enjoy receiving help from them. The oldest children adore the younger children and are thankful that they have someone to “impart their knowledge to”.
Helping tie and apron
holding fabric for a friend who is making a pillow
walking a friend to the gate for dismissal
The Montessori model allows children to be in the same classroom for three years which not only has academic advantages but also social and emotional advantages. They are allowed to move through the 3 years being the youngest, middle and eldest in the community.
Working together
polishing together
When we arrive back at school the children will tell each other stories about what they did when they were away. They will happily work and be thankful for being back together.
community!
