What do Young Children Really Need to Learn?
As we collectively face the challenges presented by the COVID-19 virus, this question takes on new meaning especially for parents, caregivers and teachers who find themselves either more involved in a child’s “formal” education or involved in new ways.
The words from Dr. Maria Montessori are a valuable guide in our relationships with young children no matter the circumstances affecting our world.
(Pronouns have been changed to be inclusive.)
"The child has one intuitive aim:
Self development.
The child desperately wants to develop
their resources,
their ability to cope with a strange,
complex world.
They want to do and see and learn for themself,
through their own senses,
and not through the eyes of an adult."
Dr. Maria Montessori
“And not through the eyes of an adult”...
As we consider how best to “teach”, support, guide, nurture, redirect, and of course create the deep connection of love with the young child, we first must ask ourselves some important questions.
Among them:
What are my parenting/caregiving goals?
What do children need to learn?
What do children need to thrive and grow?
what are your parenting, or child caring goals?
How do I see myself? (Enforcer or Collaborator?)
What is my role? (Punisher? Endulger? Supporter?)
What do I want for the young child? (Short term or long term results?)
How best to raise this child...this adult? (React or respond?)
considerations
Formal teaching is not actually necessary, because children are naturally absorbing the world around them, through experiences with it’s people, cultures, languages, places and objects
Follow the child’s interests, and let the exploration belong to them
Respect the child’s individuality and capabilities
Avoid imposing an adult perspective. This will allow the child to experience the world on their own terms
Create “yes” environments which support and balance the child’s natural learning styles, temperament and tendencies
Provide lots of opportunity (or better yet, let it be your default setting) for the child to do as much for themself as possible
Avoid praise-which is inherently judgemental
Maintain your sense of wonder. Spend time exploring the natural world
Extend and enhance their natural curiosity
Attend to living your inner life and your home life in a calm,
centered and loving way
what do children really need to learn?
That they are valued for who they are, not for who we think they should be
That they are capable, intelligent, and kind
That their developmental process is a process which needs to be understood
That they are worthy of being just who they are, (and also may need support to balance their natural tendencies)
That they need to be redirected in ways which lift up, not tear down their
heart, mind and spirit
activities
There are a wide range of child appropriate activities which serve the child’s authentic basic needs, including self care, (dressing/undressing, pouring own drinking water), home connection (setting, clearing and washing the table), open ended activities (water, sand, play-dough, pretend play), a host of manipulatives (puzzles, blocks, sorting, lacing, counting, etc.)
Further your exploration of activities:
And for a deeper dive into how to guide and make activities even more meaningful: