The Montessori Method
Move over, Mr. Linkletter ...
When my daughters were toddlers, they went to Montessori Preschool which was run by nuns from the surrounding Catholic Churches. Our daughters were enrolled from age 3 to age 5, when they would enter a regular school kindergarten program.
For anyone not familiar with the Montessori Method of teaching, (The Montessori Method) everything in the classroom is geared to encourage self-learning, self-care life skills. This includes:
Choosing something to do from special bins and shelves,
Learning how to do it, or use it.
Or if it’s a toy, play with it,
When they are finished, put it neatly away again,
Return it to exactly where they got it.
The Montessori method intentionally requires everything in the classroom to be preschool-sized to accommodate children learning new life skills —even the restrooms. Children learned to use toaster ovens, or toasters, to make their snack. From the small refrigerator they used what they needed, and after their snack, everything was put away again.
I remember one Halloween, when my middle daughter, Bethany, was 4-1/2, her Montessori class held a costume party. The children wore costumes and families and friends were all invited to attend. It was the perfect time to bring my youngest daughter, Heather, with me since she would be three and enrolled for the next year.
There would be a program first with singing and a costume parade. Refreshments would be served after the program. Cookies, crackers & cheese, a fresh fruit tray, and glasses of lemonade were all neatly arranged on a table along one side of the room.
The children had prepared the refreshments, and they would serve us, as well. Afterwards, as is the Montessori way, the children would clean up and put everything back in its proper place.
When the entertainment program was over, the grownups formed two large circles in the center of the room on floor mats, while the children served the refreshments.
Half way through serving, my youngest daughter politely excused herself and walked to the restroom. After nearly ten minutes, I was just beginning to wonder where she was, and then we ALL heard …
“Mommm-eeee! When these potties grow up, you can use them, too!”
We ALL had a good laugh …