Observations 101

The third week of school has been trying for me personally as I hold back my reactions when the kids get to me. I am trying very hard to be a good Montessorian, which at the same time means being a good Muslim first. After reading Paula P. Lillard's book 'Montessori in the Classroom', I felt that Montessori teachers are human after all, they don't have magic wands.

It was liberating to read how she started the Montessori classes from scratch with just teaching the kids how to orientate themselves around the room and I especially loved how she shared her feelings and thoughts on her day.

Now back to my own world....

Today, Umayr refused to do whatever I suggested to him but always found what his siblings were doing far more attractive. He wanted to play with the clay when Sofiyya was playing and when Ihsan was working on the build-up of the earth, he wanted in too.

While working with the sphere from the geometric shapes, he spun it around the basket, calling it the sun spinning around. He tried to do the same to the model of the universe, which I later suggested to him...

I noticed however, over the past few weeks, how Umayr has become a milder personality. Yesterday, without being asked to, he went to the kitchen to get me a spoon, thinking I forgot to get myself one when I was actually using my hands. I took it anyway....

He then proceeded to pour two cups of soya bean for his siblings...
When Sofiyya refused to do anything I asked her, he would speak gently to her and hold her hand as he brings her to me.

It's hard, but I try to tell myself to find comfort in these things despite him turning off at any effort to work with him on the academic areas.

I'm so tired....the last bits of the coffee working on me