Dear Young Toddler families,
Thanks for reading our last peek about observation.
In Montessori, observation is not simply “watching children.” It is a thoughtful process that helps us understand what each child is practicing, communicating, and needing in the moment. Through observation, teachers make intentional decisions about when to help, when to step back, and how to best support each child’s development.
Here are a few examples of our observations in our classroom:
One child repeatedly announced, “It matched!” after completing simple puzzles and frequently looked toward the adult for a reaction. By observing this pattern over time, we recognized the child was seeking reassurance and connection while building confidence. Instead of giving large reactions each time, we practiced offering calm acknowledgment and space for the child to return independently to their work.
A child asked for help with a puzzle but was encouraged gently to try first. After a moment, the child responded, “I can do it,” and completed the work independently. Observation allowed us to recognize that the child did not necessarily need the answer, but rather reassurance and confidence in their own ability. Learning how much help we should offer is one of the skills we as Morahs need to accomplish.
During moments of challenging behavior, observation also helps us look deeper at the cause rather than reacting only to the behavior itself. For example, when throwing behaviors occurred, we observed what happened before and after the behavior in order to determine what type of redirection or support would be most helpful. Therefore, we created an appropriate throwing work for that specific child.
Our young toddlers grew so much over the past month! We hope you enjoy seeing their growth!
Morahs Kristy, Rachael, and Sarah