Independence

The child's nature is to aim directly and energetically at functional independence. Development takes the form of a drive to an ever greater independence. It is like an arrow released from the bow, which flies straight, swift and sure...While he is developing, he perfects himself and overcomes every obstacle that he finds in his path

-Maria Montessori, THE ABSORBENT MIND

The battle cry of the toddler - 'Me do it!' is all too familiar to many parents. Even as children grow into preschool and then grade school age the need to be independent remains strong. There are many steps toward independence on the road from birth to adulthood.

To become independent is the child's fundamental need. The child has a strong vital urge to become independent. Dr. Montessori called this urge 'the horme' (rhymes with gourmet). The horme aids the child in conquering any obstacles in the path toward independence - this obstacle may be a physical task that must be mastered, like walking, or a mental one, like overcoming separation anxiety.

We must refrain from doing everything for the child. Independent function is the most significant factor in development of self confidence and self image.

 When we speak of good self esteem, this is not the external 'good job!' that is offered for nearly every accomplishment, from washing hands to getting in the car seat. Rather, it is a feeling of worth that comes from within, from being a capable individual in many facets of life. There are so many moments in the day to give a child even a tiny opportunity to do things alone - for example holding down the bottom of a jacket and allowing the child to pull the zipper up.

Mastering a task is really mastering one's self. Mastering your own emotions, thoughts and choices is true independence. Even adults who learn new skills or do things alone after a hard time such as the loss of a spouse build up their self image. The idea that the more help a person gets the happier they are is erroneous. Children want and need to do things for themselves.

"Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom,

and being one's own person is the ultimate reward."

- Patricia Sampson

First Harvest

Over the weekend I noticed the raspberries were getting ripe....

 So, today after the children finished lunch,  I told them I had a surprise but they had to find it..... Do you see it?

 They carefully looked in the bushes.....

 And then they saw it! Three ripe raspberries from the raspberry bush we planted on garden day!

 The berries were still warm from the sun...

 What do you think our next harvest will be.....

carrots?

lettuce?

cabbage?

more berries?

rosemary and parsley ?

I hope you can join us for our next garden day, this Thursday, Oct 28 at 9am. Lunch will be provided - just bring a shovel!

The Importance of Spoken Language

 For success in language, a child needs confidence that what she has to say is important, a desire to relate to others, real experience on which language is based, and the physical abilities necessary for reading and writing.

 We can help the child's language development by providing a stimulating environment, rich in sensorial experiences and in language, providing a wealth of experience - because language is meaningless if it is not based on experience.

We can provide materials such as nursery rhyme blocks and books, vocabulary cards, books of subjects that are real and related to the life of the child. . We share good literature in the form of rhymes, songs, poetry and stories, which will greatly increase the child's love of language. This will set the stage for sharing our favorite poetry and great literature with the child as he grows.

This is the time, rather than elementary, middle or high school when humans really learn language. The foundation for a child's spoken language ability is aided by making eye contact while we listen and speak respectfully to her, by setting a good example in our speech to each other, and by reading aloud to her from an early age.

The child's spoken language is the foundation for her later ability in reading and writing.
(The above text is from 'The Joyful Child' - a Michael Olaf catalog. Reprinted with permission)

"There is a sensitive period for naming things...and if adults respond to the hunger for words in an appropriate way, they can give their children a richness and precision of language that will last a lifetime." - Dr. Silvana Montanaro, AMI Trainer

A.F. is refining her motor skills and strengthening her hand for later writing work by pasting shapes on paper.

Berry Patch Farms

The children had a wonderful time at our first family field trip of the year to Berry Patch Farms. 

We played on the playground while waiting for our hayride...

And we also visited the cute baby animals--the piglets were a favorite.

Then, it was time! The children had a wonderful time on the hayride. They were singing for almost the whole ride to the pumpkin patch.

 

  

And then we spotted the pumpkin patch!

 

The children ran and played in the patch and searched for their very own mini pumpkin to take home.

 

  

 

 

 

 

After our fun in the pumpkin patch, the children enjoyed fresh apple cider before our picnic lunch.

Getting ready for our picnic lunch under a huge maple tree.

 

 

The day after we returned, one of the older children decided to write a story about her trip to Berry Patch Farms. "Megan found bree pach frms. She so breez and pumcins." (Megan found Berry Patch Farms. She saw berries and pumpkins.) We loved it!