Dear Banyan Families,
“The love of one’s environment is the secret of social evolution.”
— Dr. Maria Montessori
We are thankful for all of your contributions and support for our classroom bake sale and the auction basket.
We are already swinging into the second month of our new year. Banyans are continually practicing the bathroom procedures, covering the cough and sneeze, using a tissue to blow the nose, and washing hands.
February is a friendship-sharing month at our school. All three primary classes will gather to exchange friendship and love with each other at an in-school event during the day. We will also have a community event called “Love and Play” on February 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each program takes responsibility for various events we hold throughout the school year, and the Primary Program is responsible for “Love and Play.” We need your help and support to set up, volunteer at, and break down the event.
The Topic of the Month: 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. During my morning observation 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 them. 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 want to keep in mind that the child is also an observer within the environment. Much of what the child learns is the result of their 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. The child’s environment includes the materials and the people around them. The child observes very carefully and consciously everything surrounded them like a sponge. So, if we notice any changes in a 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 nonjudgmental
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 that 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.
February Studies
Friendship-sharing month
Earth science
-Layers of the earth
-Volcano
Cultural Studies
Lovingly,
Ms. Karthi and Ms. Desiree
