Live & Love Montessori
Nap Time Narratives with Morah Rachael:
Squeezing in a blog post here and there during the sacred nap time. Grab a snack, tiptoe over, and join me as I discuss living and learning through the Montessori method in the modern world. I’ll show you how to ‘live & love Montessori’ through my experiences teaching and parenting young kids. Shhh, don’t wake the baby!
Montessori in the Coronavirus Season:
Part 1: Flexibility
“No, I can’t share my ice cream, mommy. Remember the ‘birus’.” Like any self-respecting preschooler, my 4 year old has learned to use the new rules of social distancing to her advantage. This is a new era for the entire world. For me, as a mom and Montessori teacher, I have found flexibility, resourcefulness, and gratitude to be helpful themes these days.
Flexibility
Maggie’s preschool, here in Ohio, decided to close and quickly transitioned to virtual classes. I was skeptical of how online learning would work for the Montessori method and for such young children. Afterall, the 3-6 Montesori method is based on real-life learning and concrete applications. In addition, we know screen time should be limited for young children.
Perched around my laptop, we clicked to join the class meeting and were transported to Chai Tots from the comfort of our kitchen. Smiles from all my kids were immediate. Maggie was delighted to see her friends and teachers. Her older brothers even benefitted from the Hebrew lesson from Morah Chaya, learning some weather words and noticing the right to left direction of text.
For the past month, I’ve watched toddlers and preschoolers participate in virtual lessons on science topics, practical life, math, language, music and movement, art, and yoga. This is an incredible offering for such young ages. Under normal circumstances, I try my best to adhere to guidelines regarding screen time. A global pandemic warrants looser and creative interpretation; Survival is the goal- for the species and the household! Of course, virtual classes with teachers and friends don't really count for screen time anyway! These classes have been so special. Seeing and learning with classmates, in kitchens and living rooms, has been a fun twist during the time of the ‘birus’.
“Quarantine Attire” has been a funny topic among my extended family chats. “Show me what you’re wearing today,” leads to camera flips showing old high school sweatshirts, messy buns, and old sweatpants. Similarly, Maggie old enjoys several outfit changes per day. During this time, a closet full of clothes can provide hours (ok, minutes) of fun for a young fashionista. Mama is not wearing those heels these days, so costumes from mama’s closet = flexibility in playtime activities!
While we can’t share ice cream, hugs with grandparents, or handshakes at work, we know flexibility is needed now. Transitioning to working from home, teaching toddlers chat room etiquette, and giving yourself a whole bunch more grace as we navigate these uncertain times is part of the new routine.
I hope you’re staying safe and sane amid our ever-changing world. Thinking of you, and sending positive vibes for long, restful naps for all!
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Hi!
My name is Rachael Thompson. My 3 kids keep me feeling simultaneously loved, tired, and busy. In between work, raising kids, and daily trips to Kroger, I might squeeze in a run, do home improvement projects, or take a nap in my minivan, in my workout clothes, in the Home Goods parking lot — the ultimate in Mom multitasking!