July 12, 2007 10:20 AM
Teaching kids concentration
This is my granddaughter Trinity at my house doing one of my Small Beginnings exercises - the same kind her mother Samantha did 30some years ago in Montessori school and the ones I describe in Mommy, Teach Me! Like all the Small Beginnings exercises, this is something you can create yourself. Although this looks like a simple exercise, there is a lot going on - including the refinement of fine motor control for developing writing skill and, perhaps most importantly, concentration.
Concentration is key to learning - which means that we want to aim at getting our children engaged in a particular activity for a long period of time. Whenever your child does something like building a tower or lacing cards, you should always ask, "Do you want to do it again?" When you see your child absorbed in something, try not to interrupt him.
Above all, look for activities that will engage and develop concentration. Maria Montessori had a keen awareness of this, and it is from what I learned as a Montessori teacher that I put together a program that mothers can do at home to help their children realize their potential in a less restricted environment.
I'm already starting to hear back from moms who've read the books already - thank you! If anyone posts a review, please let me know and I will steer curious readers there. In the meantime, in addition to the Mommy, Teach Me! website, you can see my ideas in action at the MTM photo album, which started with pictures readers went me for use in the books, and now will be regularly updated with pictures readers send me of their children.
This just in:
Hi Barbara, I've loved looking at the pictures in the books and on the websites! I'm a proud mama, so I have to submit some of Caroline.Thank you,
Amanda
So Many Joys
Thanks, Amanda - I added the pictures to the album, with comments about the skills Caroline is developing while doing her "work."
This kind of stuff really makes my day!
Posted in Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Oh Wow, Barbara! I am so excited. I feel famous. :-) Thank you for including our pictures. We all learn so much and get ideas for different activities from these pictures.
Posted by: Amanda | July 12, 2007 11:30 AM
I really, really need to get your books!!!!
Posted by: shawnda | July 21, 2007 2:32 PM
Hi Barbara,
I like this idea of doing your own didactic materials very much. When you want to create a Montessori environment at your home it can be quite expensive to buy all the things but actually we have plenty of things already at home that we can create good materials with it.
Thank you for the article and we are going to read your blog carefully.
Posted by: Rafal | December 17, 2007 9:01 AM
