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!
Multi age classrooms: Part 1
Young Leaders
2.6.20
One of the beautiful things I saw this week came from the 3-6 Room. Sitting side by side, a 6 year old boy and a 3 year old girl were sharing the story cube work. This young kindergartner was getting a chance to lead a younger classmate through various aspects of storytelling, a skill that spans both reading and writing. How special for the kindergartener to be able to show what he knows and lead his 3 year old classmate through the work.
The kindergartener shows a 3 year old the color-matching work.
The multi-age classroom is one of the hallmarks of an authentic Montessori program. This characteristic has so many benefits.
A 4 year old leads two 3 year old students through “I Spy” for beginning sounds.
I love the family-like atmosphere created when several ages come together. Older children love to feel helpful, and when younger children are around they always have that opportunity -- to lead, and play “teacher”, reinforcing their own learning. Leadership qualities are more likely to develop in a multiage classroom.
A 6 year old listens attentively to a 4 year old with new decoding skills!
Establishing a multi-age classroom takes much thought and preparation, as the environment in a Montessori classroom acts as a second teacher. Similarly, at home, it’s not always the easiest thing to do to let your kids into the kitchen or have free range of their closet to pick an outfit. But, over time, allowing them more independence pays off-- especially if you enlist the help of older siblings. I rely a lot on my oldest two boys to help, guide, and set a “good example” for my 3 year old. When they take out their books for 20 minutes of homework, she also “reads” alongside them. If she is giving me a hard time about a choice I gave her (clean up the puzzle or the dolls), she will often listen to her brother if he offers to help.
As you can see, they’ve always been big helpers!
Home Tips... in the Spirit of Montessori Multi-age Groupings
Encourage your child to read to younger siblings, the family pet, or stuffed animals. I always love this one because it takes the pressure off me. If my reluctant reader is whining about his required 20 minutes per day, I suggest that he read to my 3 year old at bedtime later. Or to the dog (adorable photo op!). When the slightly older neighbor boy pops in during homework time, I enlist his help in listening to or practicing sight words with my kids. It’s so heartwarming to watch these rough and tumble boys sit down together for a few moments of quiet reading.
Encourage kids to help when out in public. Holding doors, carrying a bag or package for an elderly person, picking up litter. Maybe you’ve struggled with sibling rivalry (instead of sibling helpfulness) like me? Sometimes I find that my kids are more willing and eager to help random strangers than family members (with my guidance and presence). And that’s ok, it’s developmentally normal. So, try helpfulness when out in public. The takeaway lesson is the same as it would be at home: being kind to all people and creatures who we meet in life.
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!