I actually was a teacher by profession before becoming a mom, but now that I am "homeschooling" Koko and Cheeky, I have to confess, it isn't easy.
With the Montessori method, the directress/director presents material and her demonstration sets a powerful example of how the child should interact with the equipment. So, I went through the whole slow and painstaking ordeal to exaggerate the precision and care with the Montessori equipment. My children watched, fascinated for a few seconds, and then rushed to speed through the material themselves. And even though I know that Montessorians should not correct, but just present, and need be, present repeatedly, I wanted to correct. And sometimes I did. Which was not helpful to Koko who stopped wanting to have anything to do with the Montessori equipment and just play with her own toys without any interferance. And who could blame her? What I am finding in myself is that it's really hard for me to let go of controlling. It's difficult to be just silently observing. And while I was not a Montessori teacher in the past, I was infinitely more patient with my ADHD and learning disabled students than my own children!
With the Montessori method, the directress/director presents material and her demonstration sets a powerful example of how the child should interact with the equipment. So, I went through the whole slow and painstaking ordeal to exaggerate the precision and care with the Montessori equipment. My children watched, fascinated for a few seconds, and then rushed to speed through the material themselves. And even though I know that Montessorians should not correct, but just present, and need be, present repeatedly, I wanted to correct. And sometimes I did. Which was not helpful to Koko who stopped wanting to have anything to do with the Montessori equipment and just play with her own toys without any interferance. And who could blame her? What I am finding in myself is that it's really hard for me to let go of controlling. It's difficult to be just silently observing. And while I was not a Montessori teacher in the past, I was infinitely more patient with my ADHD and learning disabled students than my own children!
After spending a small fortune on some Montessori materials, imagine my inital dismay to see my kids manhandling the "precious jewels." Of course I exaggerate, IFIT seriously has a chipping issue and they were just being children. Cheeky is too young to understand the concept of holding the chip-prone pink tower blocks with both hands. And Koko likes to be able to work with material with all the creative spunk she has and not the "quiet and careful way." So, even though I do limit their usage as toys per se, (I ask them to not put the pink tower blocks in their toy strollers) I did let Koko juxtapose the red rods to three dimensional sculpture. Because after all my gentle and not so gentle admonishments, I wanted Koko to at least want to use the material. And I wanted her to learn in a peaceful and relaxed fashion. Will I re-present the materials? Definitely, but I think I might let them create some of their own extensions.
1 comment:
Nice story, TFoN. =) I much prefer being thoroughly prepared for any planned activity myself, but the best times can also come when you just let those plans go. (And you're encouraging independent thought/play in the process!) I think you'll do fine.
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