Creating a community of lifelong learners requires the support of the teachers, parents and extended community. As Maria Montessori said, “The goal of early childhood education is to activate the child’s natural desire to learn.” If that be the case then the adult has to pay heed to the way he or she interacts with the child. How much freedom can they actually have? What are the boundaries? Will they really know what they wish to work on or will they continue going about their mindless play? These are some questions which we might ask ourselves from time to time. Rest assured, these questions come to the most seasoned of teachers. It’s a choice we must make each and every day to respect the child and their own choices if we want them to truly discover their potential.
Resources:
- Building curious children (6 min read)
- Human Tendencies (24 min podcast)
- Role of the adult (100 min videos)
- Approach to Discipline (curated articles)
- Why independence? (15 min read)
- Balancing Freedom and Responsibility (36 min podcast)
- Building Relationships with the child (22 min podcast)
- Revisiting Routines, Procedures and Agreements (23 min podcast)
- Nurturing the Spirit (2 min read)
- The Montessori Decalogue (2 min read)