Lot of people think of a preschool as a place to engage their children, for a few hours, where they also learn lot of facts about the world around them and socialize with peer groups.True.But the responsibility of a preschool goes beyond just that.
The preschool teacher needs to have an understanding of child psychology, Know what and how much to expect from them. They should understand enough and willing to let the children be in their natural behavior. They should allow free expressions. Not only that .They should also have decided in their mind what progress they want their children to achieve at the end of the school programme, how they want these children to be shaped, and go about with that aim in mind.
Finally they should have that assuring relationship with the children so that the children trust them instinctively and absolutely fearless. Children should be at peace. They should be free to explore, experiment and experience the joy of learning. The teacher should model such a behavior that children become peaceful, kind, loving and ready to share things with others.
This kind of role models, impressions and encouragement should be provided to these children when they first step out of the security of their homes into the outside world.
Having all this in mind when you are looking for a preschool, meet the teachers and watch their attitude towards children. This is more important than the quantity of items provided by the school. Visit the classrooms and see if the size of the room is spacious enough in proportion to the number of children, also take into account the number of children allotted to a teacher, the curriculum and method followed. Is there provision in the timetable for auto education and free play? Children have a huge drive for self-learning and it is best to allot some unstructured time for them to go around, absorb, socialize and play on their own.
See to it if the teachers are easy to approach whenever a parent need them. In some schools it is hard to meet the class teacher, instead only the organizer are available to parents
If you are in the vicinity of Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamilnadu, you are welcome to visit us at Little Folks
So best of luck in your search..,
Friday, September 24, 2010
Assisting child's self development
When a man is born into this world he carries within him the seed of all previous births, the genes of the first man, and apes before him, from where human race originally evolved. This explains the animal qualities we all posses. We can see most children in earlier years have qualities like snatching, grabbing, hurting others, coveting other people’s possession, using force and exhibiting unrefined emotions. Many humans continue to posses these qualities well into their adult life.
It is also true as per the same evolution process, we, including very small children, yearn to reach a higher much-elevated plane, within ourselves. If you would notice very small children love to be called good children and behave better when they are told they would be called bad boys if they don’t do as they were told. This spiritual thirst is there in all human beings. This inward consciousness, the self-judging, ongoing debate about right and wrong is the unique sixth sense, which is very special to human beings alone.
Children look up to adults for guidance to this superior self-development. Hence it is the solemn responsibility of the adults around these children, the parents and teachers, to guide them towards this inner upliftment, by modeling positive qualities and by providing them a peaceful neat, uncluttered and natural environment where their souls and minds will be nourished..
So how are we going to fill their heart with everything sublime? How are we going to carry on with our supreme duty of guidance? For this we need to stop yelling at them for making mistakes. We need to teach them how to forgive by modeling forgiveness ourselves .We need to stop making a big fuss when some other child in school is rude with our child. By stopping to instigate revengeful actions against that child who misbehaves with him, we can help him to learn to forgive.
Anything that goes along with nature is good and peaceful and away from it is pain and struggle. So we should take into account the nature of the child at every developmental stage and teach him in concurrence with his individual temperament. For his inner happiness, making him feel wanted, loved, respected, confident and useful is important. Disciplining him is to make him understand , but not to make him feel guilty or venting our anger
Children at this stage learn best by observation, play and conversation. By developing that spiritual bonding with them with of love, peace and harmony, we can show them the way to adapt to the world around them. We need to be realistic in our expectations from them. We ought to be affectionate not only when they please us by achieving something/ by being successful , but accepting them for whatever they are. Let us understand that every one has limitations. After all we do not stand up to our own expectations!
The adults around a child in his first six years can shape his personality, intelligence, emotions for all the rest of his life. Researchers had established even the growth and shape of brain is influenced by his experiences in the early years.
It is also true as per the same evolution process, we, including very small children, yearn to reach a higher much-elevated plane, within ourselves. If you would notice very small children love to be called good children and behave better when they are told they would be called bad boys if they don’t do as they were told. This spiritual thirst is there in all human beings. This inward consciousness, the self-judging, ongoing debate about right and wrong is the unique sixth sense, which is very special to human beings alone.
Children look up to adults for guidance to this superior self-development. Hence it is the solemn responsibility of the adults around these children, the parents and teachers, to guide them towards this inner upliftment, by modeling positive qualities and by providing them a peaceful neat, uncluttered and natural environment where their souls and minds will be nourished..
So how are we going to fill their heart with everything sublime? How are we going to carry on with our supreme duty of guidance? For this we need to stop yelling at them for making mistakes. We need to teach them how to forgive by modeling forgiveness ourselves .We need to stop making a big fuss when some other child in school is rude with our child. By stopping to instigate revengeful actions against that child who misbehaves with him, we can help him to learn to forgive.
Anything that goes along with nature is good and peaceful and away from it is pain and struggle. So we should take into account the nature of the child at every developmental stage and teach him in concurrence with his individual temperament. For his inner happiness, making him feel wanted, loved, respected, confident and useful is important. Disciplining him is to make him understand , but not to make him feel guilty or venting our anger
Children at this stage learn best by observation, play and conversation. By developing that spiritual bonding with them with of love, peace and harmony, we can show them the way to adapt to the world around them. We need to be realistic in our expectations from them. We ought to be affectionate not only when they please us by achieving something/ by being successful , but accepting them for whatever they are. Let us understand that every one has limitations. After all we do not stand up to our own expectations!
The adults around a child in his first six years can shape his personality, intelligence, emotions for all the rest of his life. Researchers had established even the growth and shape of brain is influenced by his experiences in the early years.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Little Folks -The childrens house-About us
Little Folks is functioning from an actual home , making it easy for adjustment by children when they first step out of their home premises into a school.
The teachers are montessori trained .One adult for every 6 children.
The atmosphere is pleasing, clean and cozy.
Children feel very much at home,moving as they please and learning as per their aptitude and convenience.
Each child is taught individually.They are given plenty of choises in learning through activities,games,stories
Educational toys, Art materials.
Conversation time is a regular feature.This improves vocabulary,skill in managing their emotions ,sharing of ideas,and learning about their environment.
Lot of simple easy experiments and recipies are done by children.
The behavior of the child is our guide and we impart whatever interests the child most, in whichever way that interest them.So absolutely no force and the child learns most willingly.
There is a set curriculam.But everyday there will be lot of innovations,and room for expanding ,syllabus is absolutely flexible to follow interests revealed by the child.Here the teacher can decide independently on what she needs to impart
From day one children are encouraged to follow social etiquettes and politeness.Help,and share with each other what they have.
Fun gross and fine motor exercises.self dependency through self help/
The teachers are montessori trained .One adult for every 6 children.
The atmosphere is pleasing, clean and cozy.
Children feel very much at home,moving as they please and learning as per their aptitude and convenience.
Each child is taught individually.They are given plenty of choises in learning through activities,games,stories
Educational toys, Art materials.
Conversation time is a regular feature.This improves vocabulary,skill in managing their emotions ,sharing of ideas,and learning about their environment.
Lot of simple easy experiments and recipies are done by children.
The behavior of the child is our guide and we impart whatever interests the child most, in whichever way that interest them.So absolutely no force and the child learns most willingly.
There is a set curriculam.But everyday there will be lot of innovations,and room for expanding ,syllabus is absolutely flexible to follow interests revealed by the child.Here the teacher can decide independently on what she needs to impart
From day one children are encouraged to follow social etiquettes and politeness.Help,and share with each other what they have.
Fun gross and fine motor exercises.self dependency through self help/
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Some parents do have them
Lot of parents take their job real seriously.It is actually great.But the old tamil adage, too much of anything will give the opposit effects ,proves right here too.
Let us examin how this happens.When we think of our child as too young to look after himself and do everything for him without even giving an oppertunity to be his ownself.Some mothers actually are filled with pride when they say" My family cannot do anything in my absense." What we are doing here is ,making him a dependent,who leans on other people for even ordinary needs.Later on any responsibility will scare him.This will in turn carode his self confidence,self worth and lead to insecurity,not able to adjust when his usual comforts are absent.This reminds me of the scene in the last emperor when the imprisoned king struggles to tie his shoe lace.
The child learns to speak by observing us.Imitates by babbling,later on works his vocal chords to come out with the exact words.From the time of his birth he works at making himself into a man ,as montessori says.Struggles with his muscles to walk, run, write, work.Real challenge!He surpasses every stage himself.What a joy! No one can do away this hard work which he has to do for himself.
But as he reaches the age of two.he thinks "O.k now I can walk,even run.My hands can reach my mouth and do whatever I order them with some sloppyness but still I can manage with a little difficulty,.I can think and understand a little bit.Now I can be more independent with a little adult guidance".It is at this point we suddenly decide to take over.
We think"He is too young to feed himself,most of what he grabs will fall.and what a mess I woould have to clean up later!"He has hands.But we would not let him the pleasure of feeding himself.He tries to rebel by not allowing another morsel into his mouth .We wait for our chance and as soon as he opens his mouth to speak or anything ,we immediately push a big lump into his mouth.He rebels even more.We lable him problem eater.
The same goes for sleeping and learning.We do not let him think of sleep as a normal process.It is made out to be his time for tantrums and our time for singing lullabis,or some people like to take him for a ride in the car until he sleeps.He must be really proud of himself for making us do all the funny stuff to feed and put him to sleep!!!
Let us see another type of parents. They are very protective-so very protective they want to prevent any possible calamities way ahead of its time. They would all the time be running behind the child calling out"Don’t jump .You may fall. Don’t go out .It is going to rain. You may catch a cold. Don’t touch that gadget. It may break.” It would be a real wonder if the child comes out unscathed from all this shielding. What are the parents giving to this child? A life of fear of taking risk. When a mother throws a fit everytime a child cries saying” He might catch fever if he cries too much, actually lends herself to be easily manipulated by the child.
There are so many different ways parenting is done as many variety of temperaments. Take for example the permissive parents who do not want to sadden their little child.They dance to every whims and fancies of the child. They would not hesitate to go out in a raging stormy midnight to fulfill their child ‘s frivolous demand. But how long they will be happy to abide.
Soon they will see their child turning out to be a selfish person with ruthless demands and no appreciation for anyone’s effort. He wants things. So he feels it is his right that others should fulfill it for him. It might also lead him to having no inner control and becoming addicted to his whims. The child in this case would really be wishing inwardly for somebody to draw a definite line of control. He would be afraid of his own aggressive behavior. He will be an unfulfilled and dissatisfied person too. The same loving parents will resent themselves for not being effective parents.
This makes us turn the spotlight on disciplinarian parents. This is also not good when carried beyond a point. In the name of discipline children may be punished in disproportion to their deeds. Disciplinarians concentrate so much on the behavior aspects they might leave emotional scars on them. Most disciplinarians cannot bring themselves to hug or kiss their children, bond or be close to them depriving them of these rich emotional experiences.
Their concentration is on how things should be without taking into account the reality of limitations, temperaments and capabilities. They attend to the 2 marks lost instead of the 98% gained. They care about time, performance, cleanliness instead of fun joy, empathy, kindness, and the precious moments he is missing with his child. The child is more in fear and awe of the parent. Learns to obey, not with his heart but because he wants to avoid the punishments. Learns to lie, to cover up. Learns to hate himself for any of his shortcomings. These type of parents may be admired but not loved at the present time when the child is growing up. He might also turn out to be as devoid of finer emotions as his parents.
When the father and mother have different opinion about child rearing, the situation again might be chaotic if they are not wise and argue in front of the child as to whose views are correct. The child in the middle of this is scared and confused and stop listening to both the parents. Whatever good things they both have to offer will be wasted.
Having said all this it is only understandable that we enter into parenthood without any educational or experiential qualifications, unlike any other official job ,for the most important occupation in the world, of shaping future world citizens
Let us examin how this happens.When we think of our child as too young to look after himself and do everything for him without even giving an oppertunity to be his ownself.Some mothers actually are filled with pride when they say" My family cannot do anything in my absense." What we are doing here is ,making him a dependent,who leans on other people for even ordinary needs.Later on any responsibility will scare him.This will in turn carode his self confidence,self worth and lead to insecurity,not able to adjust when his usual comforts are absent.This reminds me of the scene in the last emperor when the imprisoned king struggles to tie his shoe lace.
The child learns to speak by observing us.Imitates by babbling,later on works his vocal chords to come out with the exact words.From the time of his birth he works at making himself into a man ,as montessori says.Struggles with his muscles to walk, run, write, work.Real challenge!He surpasses every stage himself.What a joy! No one can do away this hard work which he has to do for himself.
But as he reaches the age of two.he thinks "O.k now I can walk,even run.My hands can reach my mouth and do whatever I order them with some sloppyness but still I can manage with a little difficulty,.I can think and understand a little bit.Now I can be more independent with a little adult guidance".It is at this point we suddenly decide to take over.
We think"He is too young to feed himself,most of what he grabs will fall.and what a mess I woould have to clean up later!"He has hands.But we would not let him the pleasure of feeding himself.He tries to rebel by not allowing another morsel into his mouth .We wait for our chance and as soon as he opens his mouth to speak or anything ,we immediately push a big lump into his mouth.He rebels even more.We lable him problem eater.
The same goes for sleeping and learning.We do not let him think of sleep as a normal process.It is made out to be his time for tantrums and our time for singing lullabis,or some people like to take him for a ride in the car until he sleeps.He must be really proud of himself for making us do all the funny stuff to feed and put him to sleep!!!
Let us see another type of parents. They are very protective-so very protective they want to prevent any possible calamities way ahead of its time. They would all the time be running behind the child calling out"Don’t jump .You may fall. Don’t go out .It is going to rain. You may catch a cold. Don’t touch that gadget. It may break.” It would be a real wonder if the child comes out unscathed from all this shielding. What are the parents giving to this child? A life of fear of taking risk. When a mother throws a fit everytime a child cries saying” He might catch fever if he cries too much, actually lends herself to be easily manipulated by the child.
There are so many different ways parenting is done as many variety of temperaments. Take for example the permissive parents who do not want to sadden their little child.They dance to every whims and fancies of the child. They would not hesitate to go out in a raging stormy midnight to fulfill their child ‘s frivolous demand. But how long they will be happy to abide.
Soon they will see their child turning out to be a selfish person with ruthless demands and no appreciation for anyone’s effort. He wants things. So he feels it is his right that others should fulfill it for him. It might also lead him to having no inner control and becoming addicted to his whims. The child in this case would really be wishing inwardly for somebody to draw a definite line of control. He would be afraid of his own aggressive behavior. He will be an unfulfilled and dissatisfied person too. The same loving parents will resent themselves for not being effective parents.
This makes us turn the spotlight on disciplinarian parents. This is also not good when carried beyond a point. In the name of discipline children may be punished in disproportion to their deeds. Disciplinarians concentrate so much on the behavior aspects they might leave emotional scars on them. Most disciplinarians cannot bring themselves to hug or kiss their children, bond or be close to them depriving them of these rich emotional experiences.
Their concentration is on how things should be without taking into account the reality of limitations, temperaments and capabilities. They attend to the 2 marks lost instead of the 98% gained. They care about time, performance, cleanliness instead of fun joy, empathy, kindness, and the precious moments he is missing with his child. The child is more in fear and awe of the parent. Learns to obey, not with his heart but because he wants to avoid the punishments. Learns to lie, to cover up. Learns to hate himself for any of his shortcomings. These type of parents may be admired but not loved at the present time when the child is growing up. He might also turn out to be as devoid of finer emotions as his parents.
When the father and mother have different opinion about child rearing, the situation again might be chaotic if they are not wise and argue in front of the child as to whose views are correct. The child in the middle of this is scared and confused and stop listening to both the parents. Whatever good things they both have to offer will be wasted.
Having said all this it is only understandable that we enter into parenthood without any educational or experiential qualifications, unlike any other official job ,for the most important occupation in the world, of shaping future world citizens
Growing up in the village
When I see today's young children spending their times mostly in front of the T.V, I really pity them for what they miss out, in comparison with my own childhood in the village, amidst the entire splendor nature has to offer. When I think of those days a pleasant cozy feeling fills my heart.
The house I lived had all my extended relatives under one roof. My great grand mother was the superior of the household. Then there were my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and guests from time to time. Meals time was a grand affair. Children were looked after with so much expertise handed over through hierarchical experience.
Home remedies treated most of the minor complaints. Going to /and the availability of the doctor was very rare. Everyone seemed healthy also. What with walking all through the length and breadth of the street long house, doing everything manually, drinking pure water from the well, milk from the household cattle, vegetable from the backyard garden. Name any fruit, vegetable or flower, it was there. In fact people were actually ashamed to complain about health. We can also add the unpolluted air they were lucky to breathe, the timely simple meals from organic vegetation they ate.
Every alternate week the children were given either ground tender neem leaves with curd or castor oil. [To ensure our stomach were cleansed of any toxics, Of course with lot of resistance from us!] Weekly oil baths were ritualistic. Morning baths in the temple tank where children learnt to swim without the aid of coach, from one another, and flaunted their prowess.
Play hours in the mango groove afternoons spent playing indoor games with different aged people were really great. It was a real bonding time with elders, the dayakattam and pallanguzhi. Kallukai-I even remember some of the songs we used to sing, and hand eye co-ordination we developed by playing with pebbles and tamarind seeds. We never knew what it was to get bored. But now day’s children, inspite of all the so-called sophisticated gadgets to amuse them do not know how to keep themselves occupied or entertained
The house I lived had all my extended relatives under one roof. My great grand mother was the superior of the household. Then there were my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and guests from time to time. Meals time was a grand affair. Children were looked after with so much expertise handed over through hierarchical experience.
Home remedies treated most of the minor complaints. Going to /and the availability of the doctor was very rare. Everyone seemed healthy also. What with walking all through the length and breadth of the street long house, doing everything manually, drinking pure water from the well, milk from the household cattle, vegetable from the backyard garden. Name any fruit, vegetable or flower, it was there. In fact people were actually ashamed to complain about health. We can also add the unpolluted air they were lucky to breathe, the timely simple meals from organic vegetation they ate.
Every alternate week the children were given either ground tender neem leaves with curd or castor oil. [To ensure our stomach were cleansed of any toxics, Of course with lot of resistance from us!] Weekly oil baths were ritualistic. Morning baths in the temple tank where children learnt to swim without the aid of coach, from one another, and flaunted their prowess.
Play hours in the mango groove afternoons spent playing indoor games with different aged people were really great. It was a real bonding time with elders, the dayakattam and pallanguzhi. Kallukai-I even remember some of the songs we used to sing, and hand eye co-ordination we developed by playing with pebbles and tamarind seeds. We never knew what it was to get bored. But now day’s children, inspite of all the so-called sophisticated gadgets to amuse them do not know how to keep themselves occupied or entertained
Child and discipline
What we mean generally by a disciplined behavior is that the way a person conducts himself, by not being discourteous and by being sensitive to other people’s feelings, He will not indulge in activities harmful to others or himself.
While bringing up a child we are faced with the predicament of how to achieve this task effectively. A child comes into this world knowing nothing. For him good and bad or one and the same. Whatever he learns he does by observing and absorbing his environment. So fore most it is essential to provide an atmosphere of peace, harmony calmness and beauty for him to become inwardly peaceful.
Yet toddlers are basically raw, savage like,[hard hit parents will vouch for that] use their brutal power and tantrums to get their ways. Getting them to understand and adapt to civilized behavior demands hard work.
Let us understand a toddler. His vocabulary is limited; He expresses everything through crying, shouting biting [Uses his mouth in every way] He uses his hands and legs too to force his way, kick, grab.hit [exactly how our prehistoric ancestors did. He is egocentric, never likes to share his things with others. Not only that, he wants everything he sees around, for himself. Parents know that it is a very difficult job to convince or distract him.
By disciplining him we mean that he will behave well not only when the teacher or the parents are around. But to create an internal discipline, which will help him, carry through life successfully
Neither too pessimissive attitude, which results in creating obnoxious behavior which the parents themselves regret later, not too strict or harsh treatment which the children grudges for years to come is advisible.what is important is to strike a balance. Always appreciate and reward good behavior. Set rules in the very beginning. Follow them with consistence and firmness. Allow openhearted discussion. Always explain your stand. Why you want certain behavior, what consequences you think will happen otherwise. Very often motivate them by what you expect out of them. Gently guiding them in the path of good. Wherever possible use tact. Listen to them without opinionating and seek to understand them. Accept them as they are. Let them be themselves. Allow individual differences. Never be over demanding never push your choice on them. Understand the limitations of their age and immaturity. Be age appropriate. Do not over expect. Be realistic
From very young age create proper eating hours and bedtime routine. This will stand good in the long run. Children learn lot of bad behavior from the media too. So at least in the younger years take care that they are not exposed to violence and other bad influences
While bringing up a child we are faced with the predicament of how to achieve this task effectively. A child comes into this world knowing nothing. For him good and bad or one and the same. Whatever he learns he does by observing and absorbing his environment. So fore most it is essential to provide an atmosphere of peace, harmony calmness and beauty for him to become inwardly peaceful.
Yet toddlers are basically raw, savage like,[hard hit parents will vouch for that] use their brutal power and tantrums to get their ways. Getting them to understand and adapt to civilized behavior demands hard work.
Let us understand a toddler. His vocabulary is limited; He expresses everything through crying, shouting biting [Uses his mouth in every way] He uses his hands and legs too to force his way, kick, grab.hit [exactly how our prehistoric ancestors did. He is egocentric, never likes to share his things with others. Not only that, he wants everything he sees around, for himself. Parents know that it is a very difficult job to convince or distract him.
By disciplining him we mean that he will behave well not only when the teacher or the parents are around. But to create an internal discipline, which will help him, carry through life successfully
Neither too pessimissive attitude, which results in creating obnoxious behavior which the parents themselves regret later, not too strict or harsh treatment which the children grudges for years to come is advisible.what is important is to strike a balance. Always appreciate and reward good behavior. Set rules in the very beginning. Follow them with consistence and firmness. Allow openhearted discussion. Always explain your stand. Why you want certain behavior, what consequences you think will happen otherwise. Very often motivate them by what you expect out of them. Gently guiding them in the path of good. Wherever possible use tact. Listen to them without opinionating and seek to understand them. Accept them as they are. Let them be themselves. Allow individual differences. Never be over demanding never push your choice on them. Understand the limitations of their age and immaturity. Be age appropriate. Do not over expect. Be realistic
From very young age create proper eating hours and bedtime routine. This will stand good in the long run. Children learn lot of bad behavior from the media too. So at least in the younger years take care that they are not exposed to violence and other bad influences
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Toddlers and learning
Teaching children between 2 to 5 is not like teaching older children. Children of this age learn naturally by absorbing the surrounding, through conversations and play, more than by instructions. Their attention span is limited.
They do not know the concept of obedience or sitting in one place for the given length of time. They are learning subconsciously at this stage .The teachers need to be very tactful, should know how to captivate a child’s interest and present lessons repeatedly in various modes without tiring the children.The networking of the brain is fastest in the first 3 years. So teachers should take best advantage of this period and stimulate their natural inquisitive interest in learning and desist from formal teaching.
I personally believe that learning is a natural process and should be taught that way without making the children as if it is some kind of a task,at least for this young in age..Children show a natural enthusiasm for learning everything around them.To keep it alive there should be absolutely no force.Some parents by being too very insistant take the joy out of learning like they do it out of eating. Of course they do this because they care too much.Most problems arise in these areas ,when parents try to push more than the child's realistic limits.
Children learn easily when a subject is presented in the form of a story,song ,games or when you discuss with them in a casual way inter mingling the facts you want to present.Also most important is that they work with their hands, see with their eyes ,hear the names ,sing the topic,and involve as many senses possible.The key word is experience.
Things children love to do
1. Dancing
2. Music
3. Conversation
4. Stories
5. Helping adults
6. Exhibiting their knowledge
7. Imitating adults
8. Appreciation
9. Being listened to
10. Group games
11. Rhymes
12. Painting
13. Carrying heavy items
14. New techno crafts
15. Slates and chalk
16. Sand play
17. Water play
18. Ball play
19. Building blocks
20. Dolls
21. Toy cars, trains, etc
22. Make belief play
23. Love to simply run around
They do not know the concept of obedience or sitting in one place for the given length of time. They are learning subconsciously at this stage .The teachers need to be very tactful, should know how to captivate a child’s interest and present lessons repeatedly in various modes without tiring the children.The networking of the brain is fastest in the first 3 years. So teachers should take best advantage of this period and stimulate their natural inquisitive interest in learning and desist from formal teaching.
I personally believe that learning is a natural process and should be taught that way without making the children as if it is some kind of a task,at least for this young in age..Children show a natural enthusiasm for learning everything around them.To keep it alive there should be absolutely no force.Some parents by being too very insistant take the joy out of learning like they do it out of eating. Of course they do this because they care too much.Most problems arise in these areas ,when parents try to push more than the child's realistic limits.
Children learn easily when a subject is presented in the form of a story,song ,games or when you discuss with them in a casual way inter mingling the facts you want to present.Also most important is that they work with their hands, see with their eyes ,hear the names ,sing the topic,and involve as many senses possible.The key word is experience.
Things children love to do
1. Dancing
2. Music
3. Conversation
4. Stories
5. Helping adults
6. Exhibiting their knowledge
7. Imitating adults
8. Appreciation
9. Being listened to
10. Group games
11. Rhymes
12. Painting
13. Carrying heavy items
14. New techno crafts
15. Slates and chalk
16. Sand play
17. Water play
18. Ball play
19. Building blocks
20. Dolls
21. Toy cars, trains, etc
22. Make belief play
23. Love to simply run around
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Teaching the Montessori way
Montessori realized the first 3 years of a child life as the unconscious creation of the mind. She called this as the psychic embryo, since so much mental development occurs after birth. At this phase the child absorbs it’s surrounding unconsciously. The second phase of life is a conscious development that is from 3 to 6 years. She believed that ‘the most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man's intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed.”
Montessori said the child from birth to six years has an “absorbent mind”. At this period the mind absorbs knowledge effortlessly almost anything from it’s surrounding. Thatis why it is important to provide a calm, peaceful uncluttered surrounding that is aesthetically appealing to the senses. Also children need to gain information about everything around them. Rules for social adaptation clearly set, consistently and firmly followed.
Very young children are sensitively attracted to certain activities and keep on repeating it for a certain period of time with concentrated attention. This period is well known to a Montessorian as the sensitive period since so much mental development occurs after birth. For example, children in a sensitive period for order will be drawn to activities that involve ordering. They are motivated to act this way in order to satisfy a psychological hunger necessary for its inner development. Any interruption at this period will end this developmental phase prematuredly
People whom the little child comes into contact with, need to keep this in mind and must be sensitive to their inner needs and assist the child in taking full advantage of this period and aiding to unfold his/her natural inner capabilities to optimum capacity .By the age of 3, the child has already laid down the foundations of his personality The child has enormous creative enegy. Early childhood education helps the child utilize it to his/her best.
Every Montessori activity helps the child to auto educate with inbuilt control of error. This puts the control in the hands of the learner and protects the young child’s self-esteem and self-motivation. Their muscular co-ordination improves. Because of this developmental need, children are drawn to activities that involve movement and especially to pastimes that demand a certain level of challenge
.The sensorial materials were created to help children in the process of creating and organizing their intelligence. The materials worked upon should not be too easy or too frustrating. Then only it will encourage repetition. Each scientifically designed material isolates a quality found in the world such as color, size, shape, etc. and this isolation focuses the attention on this one aspect. The child, through repeated manipulation of these objects, comes to form clear ideas on abstractions. What could not be explained by words,[abstract facts ] for e.g. dimensions, the child learns by experience, working with the sensorial materials The child is presented materials and activities in a way that it does not distract from the purpose. Given freedom and time, they choose purposeful activities over frivolous ones
In our school the child is provided a prepared environment: where everything necessary for his/her development is included in a safe atmosphere. These include order reality, beauty and simplicity. She/he is given opportunity, to experiment, and experience with the senses
In Montessori’s view all humans are intuitively inclined to
Exploration
Orientation
Order
Abstraction
Work
Self-perfection
Communication
A spiritual life
Montessori did not believe in reward or punishment. Disciplining by external control does not withstand. The child learns to discipline itself by developing its inner control and by the development of the will
Children love to do things for themselves and in Montessori schools they are encouraged to be self-dependent. Making their own choices is the first step towards independence. An understanding Montessori educator encourages this. Willpower or self-control develops from making and executing ones choice.
In Little Folks the children are provided with lot of interesting books. They are told stories .Conversation is aimed at developing the grasp of English language and knowledge of the world around them. Phonetics and both upper and lowercase alphabets are taught. Teaching maths and language are through simple and fun activities.Lot, of experience in classifying. gradation, memory games. Comparison, matching and contrast simple geometry, graph, and set theory exercises are given so that in later years it will be easier for them to accept these concepts
Montessori said the child from birth to six years has an “absorbent mind”. At this period the mind absorbs knowledge effortlessly almost anything from it’s surrounding. Thatis why it is important to provide a calm, peaceful uncluttered surrounding that is aesthetically appealing to the senses. Also children need to gain information about everything around them. Rules for social adaptation clearly set, consistently and firmly followed.
Very young children are sensitively attracted to certain activities and keep on repeating it for a certain period of time with concentrated attention. This period is well known to a Montessorian as the sensitive period since so much mental development occurs after birth. For example, children in a sensitive period for order will be drawn to activities that involve ordering. They are motivated to act this way in order to satisfy a psychological hunger necessary for its inner development. Any interruption at this period will end this developmental phase prematuredly
People whom the little child comes into contact with, need to keep this in mind and must be sensitive to their inner needs and assist the child in taking full advantage of this period and aiding to unfold his/her natural inner capabilities to optimum capacity .By the age of 3, the child has already laid down the foundations of his personality The child has enormous creative enegy. Early childhood education helps the child utilize it to his/her best.
Every Montessori activity helps the child to auto educate with inbuilt control of error. This puts the control in the hands of the learner and protects the young child’s self-esteem and self-motivation. Their muscular co-ordination improves. Because of this developmental need, children are drawn to activities that involve movement and especially to pastimes that demand a certain level of challenge
.The sensorial materials were created to help children in the process of creating and organizing their intelligence. The materials worked upon should not be too easy or too frustrating. Then only it will encourage repetition. Each scientifically designed material isolates a quality found in the world such as color, size, shape, etc. and this isolation focuses the attention on this one aspect. The child, through repeated manipulation of these objects, comes to form clear ideas on abstractions. What could not be explained by words,[abstract facts ] for e.g. dimensions, the child learns by experience, working with the sensorial materials The child is presented materials and activities in a way that it does not distract from the purpose. Given freedom and time, they choose purposeful activities over frivolous ones
In our school the child is provided a prepared environment: where everything necessary for his/her development is included in a safe atmosphere. These include order reality, beauty and simplicity. She/he is given opportunity, to experiment, and experience with the senses
In Montessori’s view all humans are intuitively inclined to
Exploration
Orientation
Order
Abstraction
Work
Self-perfection
Communication
A spiritual life
Montessori did not believe in reward or punishment. Disciplining by external control does not withstand. The child learns to discipline itself by developing its inner control and by the development of the will
Children love to do things for themselves and in Montessori schools they are encouraged to be self-dependent. Making their own choices is the first step towards independence. An understanding Montessori educator encourages this. Willpower or self-control develops from making and executing ones choice.
In Little Folks the children are provided with lot of interesting books. They are told stories .Conversation is aimed at developing the grasp of English language and knowledge of the world around them. Phonetics and both upper and lowercase alphabets are taught. Teaching maths and language are through simple and fun activities.Lot, of experience in classifying. gradation, memory games. Comparison, matching and contrast simple geometry, graph, and set theory exercises are given so that in later years it will be easier for them to accept these concepts
Monday, February 22, 2010
SLOKAMS
Prayer slokams
1. Gajananam bhutha ghanaditha sevitham kabitha jambu palasara patchitam
umasutham sokavinasa karana Namami Sri vigneshwara pada pankajam
2. Saraswati namasthubhyam varade kamarupin Vidhyarambam karishyami
Sidhir bavathu me sadha
3. Guru. Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru devo Maheshwaraha
Guru sakshath Parabrahma thasmisri Guruve namaha
4. Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Jai jai Ram Janaki Ram Jai jai Ram Sita Ram
Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Ra m Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Sita Ram
5. Aum Nama sivaya sivaya Nama Aum[repeat twice]
Hara Hara sankara jaya jaya sankara Hara Hara sankara jaya jaya sankara
6. God bless mummy God bless daddy
God bless others God bless me.
7 Patriotic song
I love India , I love India India is my country I love Little Folks I love Little Folks L.F is my school
Mera Bharath Mahan Vande Matharam Vande Matharam
8.Meals time
Om sahana bunathu Sahaviryam karavavahai Tejasvina madi tamastu ma midvi savahai
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi
9Annapurne sadha purne Sankara rana vallabe
Gnana vairakyam siddartham Biksham dehi cha Parvati
1. Gajananam bhutha ghanaditha sevitham kabitha jambu palasara patchitam
umasutham sokavinasa karana Namami Sri vigneshwara pada pankajam
2. Saraswati namasthubhyam varade kamarupin Vidhyarambam karishyami
Sidhir bavathu me sadha
3. Guru. Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru devo Maheshwaraha
Guru sakshath Parabrahma thasmisri Guruve namaha
4. Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Jai jai Ram Janaki Ram Jai jai Ram Sita Ram
Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Ra m Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Sita Ram
5. Aum Nama sivaya sivaya Nama Aum[repeat twice]
Hara Hara sankara jaya jaya sankara Hara Hara sankara jaya jaya sankara
6. God bless mummy God bless daddy
God bless others God bless me.
7 Patriotic song
I love India , I love India India is my country I love Little Folks I love Little Folks L.F is my school
Mera Bharath Mahan Vande Matharam Vande Matharam
8.Meals time
Om sahana bunathu Sahaviryam karavavahai Tejasvina madi tamastu ma midvi savahai
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi
9Annapurne sadha purne Sankara rana vallabe
Gnana vairakyam siddartham Biksham dehi cha Parvati
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Separation Anxiety
Children experience seperation anxiety upto 5 years because they do not have an idea of object permanency. when you leave them for the first time in school they think that you have abandoned them
Prepare your child ahead of time. Much earlier before your child start school talk of all good things about school.Also tell them you cannot be present with your child in school and that you will lways return to pick them up.You can also add that it is important for his growth as a person and that you also miss him too. But you allow this situation since you believe that he needs to grow into a greater person
Do not linger in school premises for a long time.I you have to talk to the teacher you can either do it over the phone or when you come to pick up your child
Be very cool about leaving your child . Otherwise your child/s anxiety will only increase. Understand that this is necessary for your child and he has to outgrow this phase of dependency .Your child will react to your body language ,and you cannot satisfy him with superficial words.So be really cool.
Promise to come back soon before leaving and always keep up your promise. the child will learn to value your words, If you cannot keep up your promise due to unavoidable circumstances always make it a habit to sjncerely apologize.
Let the child take to school something thatwill comfort him like a toy or your scarf or kerchief with your perfume , that can reminded him of your presence when you are not around. in a comfort bag.. The infant is able to soothe herself with memories of being with her mother and the knowledge that her mother will return
Give the child experiences of separation for short spans of time. much before the school starts.. Doing this in increments is good.Also let him play by himself independently. You just be around and not involve yourself in his play.
Do not sneak out without his knowledge Sneaking out when your child is distracted with something could make separation anxiety worse, he will think that you have abandoned him, disappearing without saying goodbye will intensify the fear.He will also be angry with you for taking him for a ride.It will be a real task to make him trust you after that.
Your child should be physically fit before you leave. Well fed and after nice sleep. With no fever or cold
Be understanding Do not mock or criticize
Do not bribe
Be Positive Do not talk wayawardly about the school in front of your child. Let your child know that you trust the people in school take good care of him.
Be firm--. Say a warm good-bye and leave
In the first few months of schooling ,take care not to go too early to leave your child or too late to recieve him.Go just at the starting time ,not 10 mts earlier or 15 mts later I mean do not be the first person to leave or the last person to recieve,for your child will feel lonely and left out..I would not be surprised if it will be difficult for you to convince him to go to school after that experience.
Prepare your child ahead of time. Much earlier before your child start school talk of all good things about school.Also tell them you cannot be present with your child in school and that you will lways return to pick them up.You can also add that it is important for his growth as a person and that you also miss him too. But you allow this situation since you believe that he needs to grow into a greater person
Do not linger in school premises for a long time.I you have to talk to the teacher you can either do it over the phone or when you come to pick up your child
Be very cool about leaving your child . Otherwise your child/s anxiety will only increase. Understand that this is necessary for your child and he has to outgrow this phase of dependency .Your child will react to your body language ,and you cannot satisfy him with superficial words.So be really cool.
Promise to come back soon before leaving and always keep up your promise. the child will learn to value your words, If you cannot keep up your promise due to unavoidable circumstances always make it a habit to sjncerely apologize.
Let the child take to school something thatwill comfort him like a toy or your scarf or kerchief with your perfume , that can reminded him of your presence when you are not around. in a comfort bag.. The infant is able to soothe herself with memories of being with her mother and the knowledge that her mother will return
Give the child experiences of separation for short spans of time. much before the school starts.. Doing this in increments is good.Also let him play by himself independently. You just be around and not involve yourself in his play.
Do not sneak out without his knowledge Sneaking out when your child is distracted with something could make separation anxiety worse, he will think that you have abandoned him, disappearing without saying goodbye will intensify the fear.He will also be angry with you for taking him for a ride.It will be a real task to make him trust you after that.
Your child should be physically fit before you leave. Well fed and after nice sleep. With no fever or cold
Be understanding Do not mock or criticize
Do not bribe
Be Positive Do not talk wayawardly about the school in front of your child. Let your child know that you trust the people in school take good care of him.
Be firm--. Say a warm good-bye and leave
In the first few months of schooling ,take care not to go too early to leave your child or too late to recieve him.Go just at the starting time ,not 10 mts earlier or 15 mts later I mean do not be the first person to leave or the last person to recieve,for your child will feel lonely and left out..I would not be surprised if it will be difficult for you to convince him to go to school after that experience.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Learning in the kitchen-1
Kids love to stay around the mother.Most of the time the mother will spent her time in the kitchen and kids end up there too.This time can be utilised for great fun and learning experience.At the same time kids can also be made proud of taking responsibilities.Kids as young as 2 years want to do all that adults do .You can give them opportunity to arrange vessels according to height order,carrying from the dishwasher to the shelf [good motor exercise]and sorting as per size and shapes ,for example spoons plates basins.Good chance for your child to experience heavy and light,deep and shallow ,narrow and wide.They will also be noticing the plate is circular,tray is rectangle and glass is cylindrical.
Can measure the cups of rice ,and quantity of water needed .At the same time their gross and fine motor muscles will also be exercised along with balance gained in learning to measure things exactly and without spilling.Vegetables and fruits come in different colours and shapes,sorting them is a great arithmatic exercise;while learning their names adds to vocabulary bank.Number of chairs per person at the table,number of plates for each member of the family,things that complement like dabara and tumbler or cups and saucer.
Can measure the cups of rice ,and quantity of water needed .At the same time their gross and fine motor muscles will also be exercised along with balance gained in learning to measure things exactly and without spilling.Vegetables and fruits come in different colours and shapes,sorting them is a great arithmatic exercise;while learning their names adds to vocabulary bank.Number of chairs per person at the table,number of plates for each member of the family,things that complement like dabara and tumbler or cups and saucer.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
learning in the kitchen-2( cont)
Learning to be responsible while helping is another bonus.This can be extended to other activities like folding clothes ,[if very young sorting according to users/cloth variety like towels,pairing socks ,uppper and lower and under garments ] dusting,polishing their shoes[Children as young as 3 and a half can dothis].All this will help in knowledge gain and dexterity and they will not turn out to be mere bookworms but masters of their surrounding also.you will stop viewing them as troublesome and begin to see them as great help.
While going out you can talk about everythng that come your way,counting # of trucks,following the colours of traffic light ,meaning of signals,helpful vehicles like ambulance,fire engines.How a slow bullock cart hinders the traffic and stray dogs might cause accident.Important landmarks[ like hospital,college,church,temple and little explanation about who work there], on your way home,road maps to your home,What to do in case he gets lost ,how he can come back,the importance of memorising address and telephone numbers,[for still younger children parent's and street names.]
In future years childrn both male and female will be taking care of themselves.Already availability of manual help is dwindling.So why not let them be self dependent.You can also do simple easy recipies like sandwiches together and carry on to more complex items
While going out you can talk about everythng that come your way,counting # of trucks,following the colours of traffic light ,meaning of signals,helpful vehicles like ambulance,fire engines.How a slow bullock cart hinders the traffic and stray dogs might cause accident.Important landmarks[ like hospital,college,church,temple and little explanation about who work there], on your way home,road maps to your home,What to do in case he gets lost ,how he can come back,the importance of memorising address and telephone numbers,[for still younger children parent's and street names.]
In future years childrn both male and female will be taking care of themselves.Already availability of manual help is dwindling.So why not let them be self dependent.You can also do simple easy recipies like sandwiches together and carry on to more complex items
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