Discussion 2: Maria Motessori
Discussion 2: Maria Motessori
Read Mooney, pages 34-51; Complete Discussion 2; You post an original response of 300 – 500 words and then respond to at least ONE classmates posting, with one paragraph.
Choose one OR both questions:
- Last week you had a big cleaning day in your program. The children took their chairs and toys outside and scrubbed them down with soapy water and brushes. Today a dad came in with a complaint that he doesn’t pay tuition for his children to do the cleaning. Basing your response on Montessori’s ideas about real jobs and responsibilities, what would you say?
- How would you use Montessori’s ideas to approach early literacy in preschool programs? What kinds of materials would you use? What kinds of activities would you plan? Describe how Montessori’s theory supports your plan.
- If I had a parent complain about the children cleaning chairs and toys, I would explain my approach and reasoning behind the lesson. Children want and need to care for themselves as well as items in the environment. I would explain that the task for cleaning chairs and toys was a lesson that provided competence and taught responsibility to the children. The task gave them the independence to complete a job and help keep their classroom and items clean. I would let the father know that the children took pride in their environment and wanted the items clean as well. I would hope that this response might lead to him asking more questions or even opening him to the ideas of allowing his kids to participate in task at home that would give his child satisfaction and joy in their home environment.
- Using Montessori’s approach to learning I would create an environment that was child centered and allowed the children to move freely to choose activities in my classroom. I’d make sure that my classroom is labeled with pictures and words so the children can move to each area easily. This would allow them to see the picture and begin to associate the words with each area. To teach early literacy I would have a spot in the classroom designated for students to curl up and read a book of their choice or use a CD player to listen to a book on CD. In my home living area, I’d use children’s menus and pencil and paper to provide opportunities for the children to view the pictures and words on the menu as they pretend play. In the art area I’d provide letter beads and name cards so students could make bracelets to match their names or a friend’s name. In blocks I would have a forest set with animals and cards with the animal’s names to match. In the sensory bin I would have sprinkles and a paint brush with cupcake cards that had letters on them. Children could practice writing letters with the paint brush. These activities would be something the students could do during our open block of times (centers). I’d also incorporate active time where we could act out the story. For example, we might read the bear hunt. We would listen to it on CD and act at the movements in the story as we read the book. I think these activities support Montessori’s theory because they are incorporating a child centered environment. Materials are labeled with pictures and words, there is well defined areas in the classroom for the children to practice activities, and it offers sensory activities. The children have access to all areas on their own time and can bring the items out and putting them away when they are finished.
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