autodidactic

Many of the Montessori materials are auto-didactic which allows the child to appraise and correct their own work so that they may enjoy a sense of accomplishment and gain valuable judging skills.
Self correction and self assessment are an integral part of the Montessori approach.
As they mature, the children may become adept at recognizing, correcting and learning from their experience.


cylinder block from Stefanie Mendoza on Vimeo.

The days of our lives

building structures

dancing scarves

      writing letters on the chalkboard

reading buddies

transferring pompoms with tongs

(cute dance moves in the background)

journal writing

spooning beans, classified cards, squeezing 

a sponge, and play dough

boxes and bottles, lacing wooden buttons,

and felt story board

counting activity, cutting snippets,

and sandpaper letters

drawing, colour tablets, 

and boxes and bottles

Why it's okay not to share

In a Montessori classroom, children are not expected to share the activity they have chosen to work with.  For example, a child chooses Boxes and Bottles from the shelf and takes it to a table. She may use the activity and repeat it as many time as she wants, provided she is using it in a productive way. You will never hear me say "Okay Sally, now let Colin have a turn."
Dr. Montessori believed that children need freedom to explore materials without interruptions.
This repetition helps develop their ability to focus and concentrate and helps one become aware of their abilities. This also protects their right to explore at their own pace.
Occasionally, another child may want to use the same material.  He may choose to wait and watch without interrupting, or he can choose another activity.  The child who waits also develops patience.

I have encouraged some exceptions to the sharing rule with the play dough.  I always make enough dough that each child can have some.  I think that it is important for children to also learn that when we have lots we can share with others who have less.

Here are a couple good reads on the benefits of child-directed sharing.

http://www.heathershumaker.com/blog/2013/09/13/throw-away-your-timer-why-kids-learn-more-when-they-dont-share/

http://www.heathershumaker.com/blog/2013/09/19/child-directed-sharing-what-about-looonnnng-turns/

Class of 2013!