The newspapers are full these days of the consequences to children of having “helicopter parents” - parents who hover and cannot separate from their children. And, of even more concern, is the fact that these children do not seem to mind. In fact, they want their parents involved.
On the surface, this sounds like not such a bad thing. That teenagers and older children alike want their parents involved in their lives. But, to those who are studying this phenomenon, it is not what it seems. It seems these parents are the Baby Boomers who questioned authority at every turn. They did not want their parents’ opinion; they did not want input from their parents on their own college experience. These Baby Boomers seemed to know and understand that they need to separate from their parents in order to become independent.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Why Montessori Materials, and Not Toys
By Alisa McCoy
Christmas morning is always a sight to behold at my house. I can picture the packages strewn over the carpet, leaving only a small passage to the sofa. Ornately decorated boxes obscured by the curtains, and small packages neatly tucked away under the tree. The children awake to toy bears clanging cymbals and loud holiday music. Excitement and anticipation fill the air. Glee erupts as dolls, games, clothes, crayons, beanie babies, and chocolates are discovered. A single peaceful moment emerges as my nieces engage in their game boy toys. Ironically, by late afternoon I suspect boredom. My nieces complain that there is nothing to do. The American dolls, board games, and other “precious” toys are haphazardly tossed into a pile in the corner of the family room. I can’t help but contemplate what a wise and clever woman Maria Montessori was. A person who developed material that children actively manipulate with tireless joy and wonder. Consequently, I examined what it is about the Montessori material that causes children to work with purpose, whereas the glamorous toys equipped with buzzers, switches, and contraptions are untouched in a heap.
Christmas morning is always a sight to behold at my house. I can picture the packages strewn over the carpet, leaving only a small passage to the sofa. Ornately decorated boxes obscured by the curtains, and small packages neatly tucked away under the tree. The children awake to toy bears clanging cymbals and loud holiday music. Excitement and anticipation fill the air. Glee erupts as dolls, games, clothes, crayons, beanie babies, and chocolates are discovered. A single peaceful moment emerges as my nieces engage in their game boy toys. Ironically, by late afternoon I suspect boredom. My nieces complain that there is nothing to do. The American dolls, board games, and other “precious” toys are haphazardly tossed into a pile in the corner of the family room. I can’t help but contemplate what a wise and clever woman Maria Montessori was. A person who developed material that children actively manipulate with tireless joy and wonder. Consequently, I examined what it is about the Montessori material that causes children to work with purpose, whereas the glamorous toys equipped with buzzers, switches, and contraptions are untouched in a heap.
How Young is Too Young
"Aren't They Too Young To Go To School?"
The Benefits the Young Child Gains From Montessori Educational Experience
If we take a few moments to consider the work of the young child it is really quite extraordinary what is accomplished in the first three years. The moment of birth commences a lifelong journey towards independence. At birth he relies on his mother to meet all of his basic needs. He cannot talk; he cannot crawl, scoot or walk; he cannot hold things; he cannot feed himself. Yet within three years the child has acquired the language of his culture complete with nouns, correct verb conjugation, syntax, intonation and accent. He is able to move in a variety of ways: scooting, crawling, walking, running, jumping, tiptoeing. He is able to grasp the items of his choice and make sophisticated manipulations of objects using his thumb and fingers. He is able to feed himself using utensils and digest any food he wishes to ingest. Quite an admirable work in just three years. How is all that possible in such a short time?
The Benefits the Young Child Gains From Montessori Educational Experience
If we take a few moments to consider the work of the young child it is really quite extraordinary what is accomplished in the first three years. The moment of birth commences a lifelong journey towards independence. At birth he relies on his mother to meet all of his basic needs. He cannot talk; he cannot crawl, scoot or walk; he cannot hold things; he cannot feed himself. Yet within three years the child has acquired the language of his culture complete with nouns, correct verb conjugation, syntax, intonation and accent. He is able to move in a variety of ways: scooting, crawling, walking, running, jumping, tiptoeing. He is able to grasp the items of his choice and make sophisticated manipulations of objects using his thumb and fingers. He is able to feed himself using utensils and digest any food he wishes to ingest. Quite an admirable work in just three years. How is all that possible in such a short time?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Old Stories for Young Minds
Recommended Reading for Parents
By Jennifer Rogers
It would be hard to exaggerate the value of time spent reading to a young child. Early childhood educators, parenting gurus, reading tutors and experts in literacy agree that children who have been read to have a distinct advantage intellectually and emotionally. The benefits of even the best educational videos and television pale in comparison to the advantages of one good book shared by a parent each night at bedtime.
By Jennifer Rogers
It would be hard to exaggerate the value of time spent reading to a young child. Early childhood educators, parenting gurus, reading tutors and experts in literacy agree that children who have been read to have a distinct advantage intellectually and emotionally. The benefits of even the best educational videos and television pale in comparison to the advantages of one good book shared by a parent each night at bedtime.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Brain and Sensitive Periods
An article entitled “Your Child’s Brain” appeared in Newsweek Magazine a few years ago. It provided exciting information then as well as now. When a child is born, the brain is a jumble of neurons waiting to be connected - trillions and trillions of them “like the Pentium chips in a computer before the factory reloads the software.”
The article made the case that with the “right input at the right time, anything is possible.” And they implied, that if you “miss the window, you’re playing with a handicap.”
The article made the case that with the “right input at the right time, anything is possible.” And they implied, that if you “miss the window, you’re playing with a handicap.”
Keeping Kids at the Table
Click here to download "Keeping Kids at the Table"
A recent article in a food magazine had a column on how to keep restless kids at the table during holiday dinners. Aside from the obvious question, what
about every meal, most of the advice seems deeply flawed. The author suggests providing a distraction (crayons, paper, stickers), using bribes (having some
prizes available to give to the child who sat the most politely and the longest - then, surprising all the children by giving a gift to every child), making it cool to stay seated (don’t seat all of them together), asking them to put on a show (teach them a few magic tricks they can do before and after dinner), and getting them involved (have them toss the salad, pass the bread basket).
A recent article in a food magazine had a column on how to keep restless kids at the table during holiday dinners. Aside from the obvious question, what
about every meal, most of the advice seems deeply flawed. The author suggests providing a distraction (crayons, paper, stickers), using bribes (having some
prizes available to give to the child who sat the most politely and the longest - then, surprising all the children by giving a gift to every child), making it cool to stay seated (don’t seat all of them together), asking them to put on a show (teach them a few magic tricks they can do before and after dinner), and getting them involved (have them toss the salad, pass the bread basket).
Primary Video: Creel, Mexico
Creel, Mexico. Boy working on Pink Tower exhibiting extended period of concentrated work.
Toddler Video: Nine month old eating a meal
Nine month old eating a meal at a weaning table as suggested by Montessori philosophy. Notice her independence, coordination, and joy.
Video: Elementary Music
Children at Countryside Montessori School work on various musical activities including tone bars, white bars, singing in two-part harmony, and voice warm ups.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Mentor Transcript: Elementary (Helping the Child Who Won’t Choose, Work Plans, Writing Poetry)
Ask a Mentor chat transcript from March 11, 2010.
Elementary: Helping the Child Who Won’t Choose, Work Plans, Writing Poetry
Click here to download the pdf file:
Wanderers_WorkPlans_WritingPoetry.pdf
Elementary: Helping the Child Who Won’t Choose, Work Plans, Writing Poetry
Click here to download the pdf file:
Wanderers_WorkPlans_WritingPoetry.pdf
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Mentor Transcript: Toddler (Food Preparation, Parent Infant Plan)
Ask a Mentor chat transcript from March 9, 2010.
Toddler: Food Preparation, Parent Infant Plan
Click here to download the pdf file:
FoodPrep_ParentInfant.pdf
Toddler: Food Preparation, Parent Infant Plan
Click here to download the pdf file:
FoodPrep_ParentInfant.pdf
Mentor Transcript: Primary (Learning to Write, Work Cycle, Artworks)
Ask a Mentor chat transcript from March 9, 2010.
Primary: Learning to Write, Work Cycle, Artworks
Click here to download the pdf file:
Writing_WorkCycle_Art.pdf
Primary: Learning to Write, Work Cycle, Artworks
Click here to download the pdf file:
Writing_WorkCycle_Art.pdf
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Mentor Transcript: Elementary (Difficult Parents, Advanced Math)
Ask a Mentor chat transcript from March 4, 2010.
Elementary:Difficult Parents, Advanced Math
Click here to download the pdf file:
Parents_AdvancedMath.pdf
Elementary:Difficult Parents, Advanced Math
Click here to download the pdf file:
Parents_AdvancedMath.pdf
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Mentor Transcript: Primary (Farm, AYM Staffing, Consistent School Policy)
Primary: Farm, AYM Staffing, Consistent School Policy (March 2, 2010)
Farm_AYMStaff_SchoolPolicy.pdf
Farm_AYMStaff_SchoolPolicy.pdf
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