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A Typical Day in the Children's House"The child is endowed with unknown powers, which can guide us to a radiant future.
If what we
really want is a new world, then education must take as its aim the development
of these hidden possibilities. "
A natural flow to the day is one of the defining characteristics of the Children's House. Each child is individually greeted at the door by the Directress. The removal of outerwear and shoes, and the donning of slippers or indoor shoes follows. The child then chooses an activity, greets fellow classmates, visits the class pets, washes hands, or watches a classmate at work - whatever he/she needs. During the three-hour work period the Directress offers presentations of materials to individual children or small groups of children.
The children are free to choose their activities and work-mates. They have the freedom to choose where to work - on a table, a chowki (low table), a mat. Each child has the freedom to choose, so long as they do not infringe upon the freedom of others. The child can work with any material that has been presented to them, and can request presentations of materials. The children are treated respectfully by the adults, and as a result display a remarkable level of respect and caring toward their peers. The environment is set up to foster independence and to remove obstacles to the children's inate desire to explore and learn. The furniture and fixtures are child-sized and beautiful, creating a warm, nurturing and welcoming space, a true "Children's House."
The uninterrupted three-hour work period is an integral part of the child's day. With the freedom to choose their activities, repeat them as often as desired, and spend as much time as they need on an activity the children achieve great levels of concentration. They can and do make appropriate choices for their work, without artificial time constraints imposed by the adult which can interrupt children just as they are entering a period of concentration. The adult observes the childrens' activities, and offers presentations or gives presentations requested by the children throughout the day.
The children's space is set up for a seamless flow from the indoor to the outdoor environment. The outdoor space immediately adjacent to the Children's House is as prepared an environment as the indoor space. This safe, enclosed area also features child-sized furniture and fixtures and provides a space for working outdoors as the children wish. A child who needs a larger, more open space to move, one who just wishes to get some fresh air, has a desire to do some planting or to bring their work outdoors does not need to wait for "recess." This outdoor extension of the Children's House is always available to the children.
A healthy snack is always available. The snack table is set up to accomodate two children at a time. There is no "snack time," the children may have their snack as they need it when the snack table is free. The snack table is set up like a mini-dining table, with bouquets of flowers, placemats, and real dishes. Setting up and cleaning up after snack is a wonderful practical life activity, and snack time becomes a nice time to socialize with a friend.
Toward the end of the day in the Children's House there will often be an offering of a group activity. The activity may be a movement activity, such as walking on the line. It may be a musical activity, such as learning a new song or dance. Storytelling or reading a book aloud may be offered. All of the children are invited to attend, though some may choose to continue with some other project quietly if they wish.
A natural flow to the day, free of artificial "periods," provides the nurturing and respectful environment for the children to flourish. Without interruptment, children naturally find their personal rhythm for the day. This reveals itself in the peaceful, cooperative community that is a trademark of a well-tended Montessori environment. |
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