Another thoughtful conversation on today's podcast. While listening, I kept thinking this isn't just for adolescents. Every thing said also applies to an early childhood classroom. It means having a trusting view that all children are ready to learn and explore, all children want to connect with others, all children possess a self-dignity that deserves respect- asking them their thoughts and ideas, asking them about their feelings, asking them what they want to learn and engage with. Letting them be part of decision making in the classroom.
It's honoring and following the teachings and observations made by Dr. Montessori- not about dictating the schedule of learning for all children with the same presentation and the same material. It's not about having a "peace corner" but not giving children the opportunity to feel peace in community.
Somehow way too many Montessori classrooms have become about "standards," teaching to the manual, the teacher as the "boss" and setting all standards for behaviors- and then calling behaviors that don't meet that standard as defiant and needing correction.
Thank you Bruce and Andrew and all of you who believe in the power of young people to make this a better world.
Another thoughtful conversation on today's podcast. While listening, I kept thinking this isn't just for adolescents. Every thing said also applies to an early childhood classroom. It means having a trusting view that all children are ready to learn and explore, all children want to connect with others, all children possess a self-dignity that deserves respect- asking them their thoughts and ideas, asking them about their feelings, asking them what they want to learn and engage with. Letting them be part of decision making in the classroom.
It's honoring and following the teachings and observations made by Dr. Montessori- not about dictating the schedule of learning for all children with the same presentation and the same material. It's not about having a "peace corner" but not giving children the opportunity to feel peace in community.
Somehow way too many Montessori classrooms have become about "standards," teaching to the manual, the teacher as the "boss" and setting all standards for behaviors- and then calling behaviors that don't meet that standard as defiant and needing correction.
Thank you Bruce and Andrew and all of you who believe in the power of young people to make this a better world.