Supposing There Was A Planet

Supposing I said there was a planet without schools or teachers, where study was unknown, and yet the inhabitants—doing nothing but living and walking about—came to know all things, to carry in their minds the whole of learning; would you not think I was romancing? Well, just this, which seems so fanciful as to be nothing but the invention of a fertile imagination, is a reality. It is the child's way of learning. This is the path he follows. He learns everything without knowing he is learning it, and in doing so he passes little by little from the unconscious to the conscious, treading always in the paths of joy and love. 

Dr. Maria Montessori, MD

We have a Montessori school in town. We’d really like to send Frances there (at least for a few years) and so will work some pre-school and early-school savings into our upcoming budget (my love for making budgets is endless). 

A few months ago there was an open house at Harbourview Montessori and Frances and I popped in – more because it was something to do on a Saturday afternoon than because I’m manically plotting out her education before her first birthday. It was such a neat school! And we learned that she could start (depending on her own inclinations and readiness) when she’s three. There is no junior kindergarten here so it would be a great alternative to day care and at only a slightly higher cost. 

According to the Montessori International School, “Montessori classrooms provide a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural drive to work and learn. Children's inherent love of learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, meaningful activities under the guidance of a trained adult. Through their work, the children develop concentration, motivation, persistence, and discipline”. 

Some of my most favourite Montessori features: (from The Montessori Method): 

The Human Tendencies: The practical application of the Montessori method is based on human tendencies— to explore, move, share with a group, to be independent and make decisions, create order, develop self-control, abstract ideas from experience, use the creative imagination, work hard, repeat, concentrate, and perfect one's efforts. 

Character Education: Opportunities for the valorization of the personality is considered at least as important as academic education. Children are given the opportunity to take care of themselves, each other, and the environment—gardening, cooking, building, moving gracefully, speaking politely, and doing social work in the community. 

Before Frances was born we talked a little bit about Montessori. We’d gone to an Ideas Powered by Passion event and it began with a presentation by grade seven and eight Montessori students who were recently back from a trip to the UN in New York. That’s right – twelve and thirteen year olds practicing diplomacy and learning about global politics in a mock General Assembly with other Montessori students from across the world! 

We’d also talked about some of the Montessori-at-home ideas like using a mattress on the floor instead of a crib. This way when Frances woke up she’d be free to explore her (baby-proofed) room and start to establish her sense of independence. Now that we’ve actually experienced a crawling wiggling energetic nine-month-old (who would be thrilled to establish her sense of independence when she wakes up at two o’clock in the morning) we’ve determined that right now a floor bed isn’t for us and (ugh) purchased another crib. 

This learning experience aside, there are still some really neat Montessori-at-home ideas I’d love to incorporate over the next few years. Our inspiration to build a little kitchen came from a Montessori site/blog called Sew Liberated: 

This is an official "montessori kitchen" and so probably costs as much as your real kitchen. But any set-up that helps babes learn about the world and care for things will work just as well.

A water station where toddlers can get themselves a drink (when they get thirsty every three minutes) complete with an overflow bowl (aka kitty water dish)

Book corner and book sling. Love.

Most of these things are based on trying to establish (just like the floor bed) an early sense of independence as well as a sense of belonging, routine and responsibility. According to The Montessori Method, “children need a sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, and caring for clothes, shoes, and toys?”

Sweet pea washing fruit at the Montessori International School

I hope this doesn’t sound like a prison camp – its not! Play, like learning, is a natural inclination in children and there is much room for play Montessori.

And as important as any of this equipment is allowing a child to try things on their own (even if they fail a number of times before they succeed) and not interrupting their natural concentration. Since coming across these two simple principles just a few weeks ago I’m so amazed at the number of times I’ve had to stop myself from intervening and doing something for the bug that she can in fact do for herself. Not cook her own meals or anything, but you know, reach something at the bottom of her toy basket or pull herself up to standing. She's quite a clever little one.