Trip to the Zoo
We went to the zoo today after a long time not having it as one of the places we usually have in our itinerary. As usual, I was zonked out for two hours while the children, (gasp!), watched TV for an hour and did their own thing for the next when we got back at 3pm after four hours at the zoo.
Sofiyya insisted on walking throughout the journey up to the last point when we were walking to the exit and she can no longer control her sleepiness. It is amazing how being in a group can inspire a child to do things she would not normally do.
Then again, it might be her sensitive period for walking and exploring anyway. Her period to do something while she moves her limbs. Sofiyya has also been expressing herself so much more through language and immersing herself in her social environment.
Inspired by the classroom management videos I had to comment on for my assignment, I laid down the rules before we went to the zoo today to the boys. Discipline was actually easier, they actually stopped when I asked them to, there was no need for further 'talks'. A few times I had to repeat myself but it was ok.
People, including myself in the past, always have a misconception of the Montessori's concept of freedom in her classroom. Freedom has to come with responsibility and this responsibility is instilled in the child from the moment she is a baby through the prepared environment and the constant reminders of the educators she has.
They do not run wild with the wind and do whatever they want for the day, be it lazing around chit -chatting with their friends or just reading a comic. Each time a child enters a Montessori classroom he knows he has a responsibility to himself and the people around him, even to the prepared environment.
The educator, apart from the prepared environment, plays a major role in setting down ground rules and maintaining order though not through punishment and criticism. Order is maintained through reminders and being respectful of the child when reminding him of the ground rules.
Children are also taught the right way to handle conflicts or problems in the classroom and not just chided, for example, for arguing with their friends.
Hence, after setting the ground rules, children also need to be taught the skills to maintain them. You don't just tell them we do not shout at each other when we are angry; you tell the child you need to tell your friend that he has upset you and that you do not agree with what he has done and maybe he should do it in another way.
For all the fun we had at the zoo, I didn't take photos: )
Sofiyya insisted on walking throughout the journey up to the last point when we were walking to the exit and she can no longer control her sleepiness. It is amazing how being in a group can inspire a child to do things she would not normally do.
Then again, it might be her sensitive period for walking and exploring anyway. Her period to do something while she moves her limbs. Sofiyya has also been expressing herself so much more through language and immersing herself in her social environment.
Inspired by the classroom management videos I had to comment on for my assignment, I laid down the rules before we went to the zoo today to the boys. Discipline was actually easier, they actually stopped when I asked them to, there was no need for further 'talks'. A few times I had to repeat myself but it was ok.
People, including myself in the past, always have a misconception of the Montessori's concept of freedom in her classroom. Freedom has to come with responsibility and this responsibility is instilled in the child from the moment she is a baby through the prepared environment and the constant reminders of the educators she has.
They do not run wild with the wind and do whatever they want for the day, be it lazing around chit -chatting with their friends or just reading a comic. Each time a child enters a Montessori classroom he knows he has a responsibility to himself and the people around him, even to the prepared environment.
The educator, apart from the prepared environment, plays a major role in setting down ground rules and maintaining order though not through punishment and criticism. Order is maintained through reminders and being respectful of the child when reminding him of the ground rules.
Children are also taught the right way to handle conflicts or problems in the classroom and not just chided, for example, for arguing with their friends.
Hence, after setting the ground rules, children also need to be taught the skills to maintain them. You don't just tell them we do not shout at each other when we are angry; you tell the child you need to tell your friend that he has upset you and that you do not agree with what he has done and maybe he should do it in another way.
For all the fun we had at the zoo, I didn't take photos: )
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