With so much to discover in the world, it is only natural for the young children to feel curious about everything that they see around them Dr. Maria Montessori described that every child has an inner drive that they use to explore and be independent. But, when you are completing Montessori teacher certification, you will understand that if a child’s world moves too quickly, chances are that they can become passive and miss all the little joys in life. Young children can be more independent than what most of us fail to realize. How an adult does something independently compared to a child is that adults are much faster and efficient. And usually, when a child takes longer to do a particular job that seemingly is an easy one for the adult, they either help to make things more efficient or assume the child is unable to complete the task and do it for them. However, if the child is given some more time to complete the task independently, it can build confidence from this independence. This is one of the most important lessons that is given in Montessori teacher training which can make actually contribute to the overall development of the child. “The essence of Independence is to be able to do something for one’s self. Adults work to finish a task, but the child works in order to grow, and is working to create the adult, the person that is to be. Such experience is not just play… it is work he must do in order to grow up” – Maria Montessori Slowing down to let the kid to care for themselves as well as understand and solve a problem by themselves can let a child engage in the world in many different and meaningful ways. When a child does something purposeful, it will automatically help them learn concentrating. It is impossible to let the child force themselves to concentrate like an adult and more so when they do not find the work purposeful and interesting to them. Practical life materials can be wonderful examples in developing concentration and can be found in almost every aspect of a child’s life. Activities such as getting dressed, brushing their teeth, cutting a simple fruit like apple or sweeping the area where they were playing can add to the motor skills as well as improve the concentration. Usually, when a child understands that they will not be rushed or interrupted, they can develop stronger concentration. Maria Montessori also focused on what is called ‘Sensitive Periods’ for learning which prevails for the first six years of a child which is the sensitive periods for language, order, movement, social behaviour, and refinement of senses. A child can learn as much as they can when they are automatically drawn to the activities. For instance, during the child’s sensitive period for language, they can pick up any language simply by talking to people. if regularly exposed to multiple languages, they can also learn them easily. But, it is important that the teachers should slow down for the child to learn. How can you slow down to meet a child’s sensitive periods -
Some common tips to help you make the process successful Slow down enough when you are showing your child something new such as you are not talking and moving at the same time. Do not focus on more than one aspect at one time because that can cause distraction for the kid. For example, if you want your child to help with dishes, start with the easier process of letting them do the dry dishes for a while until they are confident and slowly they can rinse and then wash. Make sure that you give time to observe your child and understand where they are getting wrong and cam correct them as and when required. “If the idea of the universe is presented to the child in the right way, it will do more for him than just arouse his interest, for it will create in him admiration and wonder, a feeling loftier than any interest and more satisfying.” – Maria Montessori
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AuthorMKU Training Institute is a reverred montessori training center which offers Montessori distance education to students all around the globe. Archives
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