‘Follow the child’ in Montessori lingo is described in context with ‘prepare the environment’ and ‘observe without judgement or interference’. When you understand the latter two statements then following the child makes coherent sense. Montessori believed that a child is born with and develops [insert appropriate pronoun] own interests, thoughts, ideas and purpose naturally. Adults […]
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First of all you can’t teach character. Let’s start there! “The human personality forms itself by itself…” Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood, p. 31 Children are born with their own unique character; it is not something that anyone outside of self can develop. It can however be nurtured and supported by the environment surrounding the
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“Is not nature full of magic, full of miracles ?” (Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, page 39) Imagine entering a whole new world; new sights, new smells, tastes, sounds, experiencing new sensations and having the journey of figuring it all out including the vehicle that you entered this new world in; your body. Everything you encounter
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Critical thinking includes, amongst other things, the ability to: analyse, interpret, draw inference, explain, self-regulate and problem-solve; the results of which enhance a child’s creativity, decision-making abilities and curiosity about the world they live in. Whilst ruminating on how Montessori practices support the development of this skill, it was apparent that it is intricately and
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Normalisation is a term used within Montessori pedagogy and practice to describe a child who is able to work consistently both independently and cooperatively without straying focus and with an inner joy and enthusiasm for the activity or ‘work’ being completed. The characteristics of a normalised child include being able to treat others and themselves with respect
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… the number of words which a child understands is greater than the number of words which he uses to express himself. What You Should Know About Your Child p.29 Language is the shared understanding or meaning that a culture has assigned to a particular set of sounds. Such sounds are represented by symbols and
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