May 1, 2007 4:13 PM
Montessori at Home - Developing Concentration
"The first essential for the child's development is concentration," noted Maria Montessori nearly a century ago. When she observed Italian slum children absorbed in manipulating bread crumbs, she concluded that the drive to learn was so intrinsic - and so strong - that children would learn to focus on anything in order to fulfill their potential.
In our culture, kids are less likely to suffer from a lack than from an overabundance of claims on their attention. Their visual fare is crowded with swiftly-shifting images, requiring little sustained focus. And though we surround them with educational materials, ironically the very richness of their environments may make it more difficult for them to learn to concentrate than those "poor" children Montessori so carefully observed.
Since the ability to concentrate is the cornerstone of learning, you will want to increase your child's educational success and satisfaction by doing all you can to release his potential for concentration. Here's how:
Observe your child. Notice what activities she sticks with and let her know how happy you are when she completes a task.Offer choices. Your child is more likely to focus on an activity she prefers, so let her choose.
Model concentration. When you work on a puzzle together, e.g., exaggerate your own focus.
Encourage repetition. When your child completes something, before putting it away and moving on to something else, ask, "Would you like to do it again?"
Concentration is an invaluable key that will open many doors of opportunity. The child who can concentrate, who can focus completely, will thrive in any academic environment. As an adult he will be able to bring his best to any task.
Coloring Books: Pros and Cons
Some parents wonder if - while others are convinced that - that coloring books stifle creativity. They may underestimate how much a reflection of our Creator we humans are. Seasoned parents know it would take more than a mountain of coloring books to stifle the creative impulse of a young child.
The truth is, coloring books have definite merit. In addition to helping perfect fine motor control for later writing skills, they have an almost unequaled power to captivate the complete attention of even the most distractable child.
If you think your child has a way to go on concentration, try a coloring book and see where it takes him.
Sound and Silence
One way to evoke your child's concentration is to sharpen his awareness of noise. Use ordinary activities like closing a door or putting down a toilet seat to challenge him to move as carefully as possible so as not to make a sound. Model turning the door knob slowly while watching the latch go in, then shutting it silently and letting the latch go slowly. Children enjoy challenges and will bring great concentration to details when we draw their attention to them.
Or darken an uncarpeted room, sit very quietly for a few minutes, then talk about what you heard (birds, trees blowing, cars). Now show your child a pin, ask him to close his eyes and listen for you to drop it. See his concentration?
As in everything the child learns, we are the role models. It will help if you sit beside her occasionally when she colors and appear to be completely absorbed in your task. Think about how they see us - usually mutitasking and rushing around. Some children may need to see exactly what it looks like when a person concentrates.
And remember, when you find something that evokes your child's concentration, encourage her to spend time on that activity, building up a longer and longer attention span.
Posted in Homeschooling, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Thanks, Barbara, for your posts about Montessori methods. I'm eagerly awaiting your two new books!
Something that I believe has helped my 21 month old daughter's concentration level is reading picture books. I started reading books (with colorful pictures) to her as soon as she came home from the hospital, and today, books are some of her favorite things.
On a typical day, we read for at least an hour...usually in half hour periods.
While I do read the stories to her, if she wants to stop and ask questions (in babble, usually) or point to things in the book, I allow (even encourage) this. I also read the same books over and over and OVER again if she wants me to. In addition, I ask her questions about the story or the pictures, even though she usually can't answer them yet.
I believe these story sessions have not only given her a love of books, but have increased her ability to concentrate for a long period of time (a half hour is a pretty long while for a 21 month old!), and made her more attentive to detail.
Kristina
Posted by: Kristina | May 1, 2007 4:54 PM
I love your practical tips laid out in such a detailed way. I think they will be very easy to follow (when Katherine is older). I intend to homeschool, but the thought is a little overwhelming. Your practical advice like this makes me feel confident that I really can teach my children!
Your books are on my Amazon wish list! I want to start collecting them now so I'll be ready when K hits preschool age.
Posted by: Becky Miller | May 1, 2007 5:20 PM
I have such a long way to go in this area! I bemoan my oldest daughter's flightiness but I can't sit still unless it's in front of a book or computer for five minutes! She often wants me to sit in the bathroom with her while waiting for (you know) and after three minutes, I get fidgety and reading the devotional book or cleaning or something. I can't just sit and visit with her.
Do you have any resources for developing this habit in an adult who prefers to multi task over anything else?
Posted by: Marsha | May 2, 2007 9:55 AM
Barbara,
I love to sit and watch my 1 year olds concentrate. My son will stick his tongue out a little bit and just concentrate on the task at hand. Its too cute. You educate me everyday. Thank you!
Shannon in Austin
PS: I loved to color with my mom. I remember she used a very different technique than I. She would color really softly in circles to fill in the spaces. I just thought that was too cool. And gold and silver were my favorite colors of course!
Posted by: Shannon best | May 2, 2007 10:48 AM
Wonderful post. The Montessori method captures the essence of childhood learning. We definitely work toward intentional concentration and activities in our home!
Posted by: Christine | May 2, 2007 10:38 PM
Your article is an eye opener to what we as adults overlook.I realized what i added to my son's life ,by letting him handle gadgets like cell phones etc. Sure this is the distraction that is preventing him from concentrating in his studies.
Posted by: LEENA | August 17, 2007 11:51 AM
