Waikato Business News January/February 2020

30 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS January/February 2020
CHILD FOCUS
Pre-schoolers enjoy
independence
Independence is one of the most crucial
human desires. Children will frequently try
to wrangle an item off a parent to do it for
themselves. They want to put their own
shoes on, to use the toilet themselves, to
help to prepare food, and to then eat for
themselves using small forks and spoons.
They do want to grow up.
In Montessori, we call
the activities mentioned
above, examples of “Prac-
tical Life”. This category of
our classroom includes activities
that allow a child to
contribute to the family, the
classroom, and also to have
independence and control
over their own body.
While many families see
the value of the Montessori
education in our 3-6 year old
pre-school classroom with
children who enjoy reading,
writing and mathematics, it
is surprising to see how many
toddlers simply haven’t been
given the opportunity to do
basic practical life activities
at home for themselves. It is
common sense (and in fact
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science) that children simply
need to master independence
and control over their own
body (for example, feeding
themselves using a spoon)
before other curriculum offerings
(for instance, holding a
pencil correctly and writing).
Many children don’t know
how to sit at a table at lunch
time. It’s such a simple thing.
Perhaps they don’t eat at a
table at home, or they sit on
someone’s knee. Perhaps
Nana chases the child around
the house trying to shovel
food in when the child isn’t
looking. Or the easy option
of providing milk is taken – a
whole food to sustain a baby
calf, which then fills the child
up, so they don’t eat, they
don’t taste different foods
(perpetuating picky eating),
they don’t develop their jaw
muscles (impacts on speech),
they can’t use a spoon, and in
some cases the toddler won’t
let their bottle go. When in
fact, toddlers are capable of
drinking from a plastic sippy
cup by the time they are one,
and from a glass by around the
age of two. IF we let them.
Montessori discovered that
all children have a desire for
independence. Toddlers in
particular have strong ideas
for ‘how’ something should
be done. They will also get
agitated if it isn’t done as they
feel it should be, or if it is done
for them that they feel they
could do for themselves. And
without the ability to speak,
this can be a particularly frustrating
time for everyone!
Tantrums are often a symptom
of children wanting to do
things for themselves, but not
being given enough time to
achieve it for themselves, particularly
when they are being
rushed or not given enough
notice or time that it is time
for XYZ. It is certainly hard
for busy parents to slow down
to the brain processing speed
of a toddler when they need to
leave the house NOW! And all
we parents are trying to do is
just get by…
Dr Maria Montessori spent
a lot of time observing children
to figure out strategies to
best respect children as they
go through the challenge of
gaining independence and
doing meaningful work that
they can be proud of. It is her
scientific approach to child
development that is integral
to a Montessori preschool and
how we teach children.
Fountain City Montessori
now has two centres in Hamilton
for 0-6 year olds – the first
in the CBD in Claudelands,
and their newest centre which
is now open near the hospital
on Tawa St. You would truly
be amazed at the types of
activities that our toddlers can
You would truly be
amazed at the types
of activities that our
toddlers can proudly
do for themselves.
proudly do for themselves.
With extended hours for
busy working families, visit
us now in person, or on check
us out online - www.fcm.nz –
we’d love to meet you!
Rowena Harper
Managing Director,
Fountain City Montessori
Our NEW Tawa Street
Montessori daycare is
NOW OPEN!
We are the second Fountain City Montessori site - a family orientated, nurturing,
calm and respectful environment for 0-6 year olds near the hospital. We have longer
opening hours from 6.30am to 6pm, perfect for working families. Book an appointment
now to see how a Montessori classroom operates. We look forward to meeting you!
Open 6.30am - 6pm 07 843 0441 www.fcm.nz
103 Tawa Street, (Off Kahikatea Drive), Melville, Hamilton