Respected Banyan Families,
This year is going too fast, and it is almost the end of the year. I enjoy the time with your children as I can slow down from the running world and walk with their speed and be present with them to explore the world around us. We are grateful to you for allowing us to be part of your child’s education. We have been learning about the human body, living and nonliving things, vertebrates and invertebrates, layers of the earth, leaves, and seasons as part of our unit studies, along with all the other lessons from the different areas of the classroom.
“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.” – Dr. Maria Montessori
Thank you for bringing your children early to the school. I have noticed significant changes in them when they come early, and it helps the classroom function smoothly.
I am trying to write about different topics that related to Montessori Education and child development in my monthly newsletters. Last month I wrote about “Why Montessori?” This month, let’s discuss “Observation” and how it is essential to support a child in the Montessori classroom and the world around him/her.
Observation
“We cannot create observers by saying ‘observe,’ but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and these means are procured through education of these senses. “ – Dr. Maria Montessori.
I am grateful for the time I spend observing the classroom every morning after our circle time. What a fantastic feeling to sit down and observe the students and watch their movements. This is the time I get to observe all the Banyans in the classroom at once, write observation notes and plan the lessons accordingly.
Observation is one of the most important aspects of the educational process both for the teacher and the child. It is through observation that the teacher learns about children and their needs, activities, reactions and general personality traits and developmental characteristics, while the child learns about the world around him. Only through observation can we learn about life, people, the environment and the essential interactions which take place within this dynamic cosmos.
As we consider observation, we will concentrate on the teacher as the constant observer of the child, and we can also apply such considerations to parents and visitors at the school. We also want to keep in mind that the child is also an observer within the environment. Much of what the child learns is the end result of his observation of other children and teachers at the school as well as parents, siblings, friends, and movies that they watch at home. The environment in which the child is present must be a highly welcoming, safe and child-friendly place for him/her. The child’s environment includes the materials and the people around him/her. The child observes very carefully and consciously everything surrounded him/her like a sponge. So if we notice any changes in child’s behavior, we should consider remodeling the environment, which includes materialistic and non-materialistic things in the atmosphere.
When we observe, we must try to maintain certain attitudes;
Calm; not apprehensive
Objective; try to see things as they are
Open; to new ideas and changes in our points of view; try to be non-judgmental.
In general, we must become aware of children in order to understand them. We must observe children in order to perceive the subtle cues and messages which children send out to those who are willing to notice and understand. We must help children in their development by supporting and fulfilling their interests and needs.
December Events
The first week Clothes and food drive
December 2 Follow the child
December 7 School photo day for Banyans
December 8 School photo day for Siblings
December 11,12,13,14 & 15 Parent Teacher Conferences
December 20 Conch Train
“How can we, with our adult minds, know what will be interesting? If you follow the child,…you can find out something new…” Jean Piaget
December Unit Studies
Geography and History
Direction
Days of the week
Land, Water, and Air
Earth Science
Volcano
Our unit study shelf in the classroom is growing every month. I add new study lessons along with the previous month’s lessons, so the kids can relate the topics that they learned during the last month with the present studies.
Please sign up for the parent-teacher conference. I have sent the link via email.
Sincerely,
Ms. Karthi and Ms. Nikki
