March 24, 2008 12:50 PM
Montessori Mondays: teaching kids to sweep
Maria Montessori was the first person to truly key in on the importance of the preschool years for developing skills - but most importantly building a love of learning.
When a three-year-old picks up a broom to sweep the floor, instead of responding with, "No, you're too little - I'll show you when you're older," Montessori would say that we need to see that desire as our cue to teach.
The preschool years are the years when most children want to learn to do household chores. By showing them when they are ready and eager to learn, we will avoid the I-don't-wanna response when we wait until they are older and no longer interested - because our negative response has discouraged them.
Our task is then to think through the particular task, break it down into a sequence they can follow, and accept the results being less than the "perfect" job we would do.
Thinking through sweeping:
The main problem is that children this age are not abstract thinkers. When we sweep, we gather the dirt into a target area, but the target is abstract. Make it real for your child by drawing a chalk circle on the floor:
Notice I'm using a smaller size broom for Daniel (one of my adopted sons with Down syndrome). This is a handmade broom I bought at the Waterford Fair a couple years ago - you can see mine lying on the floor in the background of the picture.
The other part of sweeping that presents more difficulty to the child is getting the sweepings into a dustpan. You can make this a little easier by providing a small whisk broom and dustpan:
This is just a transition. As your child develops more confidence and skill in wielding the broom, you can teach him how to use the broom and dustpan together. But this is what teaching young children is all about - seeing the world through their eyes, understanding their needs, and doing whatever it takes to make things possible for them.
For anyone new to this blog, you can find lots more of this type of specific information by clicking on Categories above, then clicking Montessori, preschoolers, or toddlers. Yes, it does take extra time to teach your children at this young age - but if you teach them during this window of opportunity when they are anxious to help - rather than waiting until later - you will be blessed with children who actually enjoy their role as helpers in the family.
And children who love to learn!
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How have you used Montessori ideas - from the basic philosophy to specific exercises - in your home? Montessori Mondays is open to anyone - please share! And spread the word -
1. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (week one) | 2. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (week two) |
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Posted in Montessori, Montessori Mondays, Preschoolers | Permalink
Comments
When you first mentioned it, I was planning on using your "Montessori Mondays" as a challenge to record opportunities to get my little Vikings involved around the house. When you hadn't posted the last 2 Mondays, I used some of the same stuff for "Pass the Torch Tuesdays" but I think it might still fit within your purview! LOL
http://twolittlevikings.blogspot.com/2008/03/pass-torch-tuesday.html
http://twolittlevikings.blogspot.com/2008/03/pass-torch-tuesday_11.html
Posted by: Beth/Mom2TwoVikings | March 24, 2008 1:52 PM
My 4 year old sweeps, and my 18 mo old tries : ) But this is BRILLIANT! Thanks, Barbara! : )
Posted by: shawnda | March 24, 2008 2:20 PM
I love the chalk circle idea. I've heard you mention it before, and it solves the biggest trouble I had when my children wanted to learn to sweep.
Posted by: Michelle Potter | March 24, 2008 6:14 PM
