Montessori Journey

Last night, my husband and I attended a "Montessori Journey" at the school my son will be attending next year for 1st grade.  They let the parents simply observe (without talking, chatter, discussion) the Montessori materials for a bit.  This is the first step when introducing a Montessori lesson to a child.  The directress (teacher) does not "teach" anything in that first interaction with the material.  They let the student observe.  It is in the 2nd step, that the lesson is actually taught to the child.  At this point, they had the parents sit down and explore a few lessons.

I had a lesson in land and water formations.  There were 8 trays placed on a table.  Each had a land or water formation sculpted inside of the tray with clay.  I poured water into each tray.  I watched each tray fill up with water. (I also had to be sure I divided the water into eight somewhat-equal amounts - not to overfill.) I observed how the water played a part in the land and water formations in each tray (lake, gulf, bay, strait, isthmus, peninsula, etc...)  I placed a card next to each tray to identify each formation.  Then, I turned over a card that was the "control" for the lesson.  I checked my answers - a couple were wrong!  (But, no one was there to say, "That is not correct."  I was able to correct my own work - self correct. Next, I had to clean up my work.  I could not just dump the water back into the pitcher. (Although, that is what I wanted to do.) Part of the lesson was taking a small sponge and soaking up all of the water and ringing the sponge out into a different pitcher.  This took awhile.  At first, I didn't think the sponge could hold that much water.  I thought, "Oh, god, I poured way to much water into the trays!"  But, sure enough, little by little, all the water gracefully made its way into pitcher.  It almost felt meditative - quite zen-like - the act of methodically and rhythmically soaking up and ringing out the water.  At last, I took a towel and cleaned up any last droplets.  I made sure each tray was straight, and that the pile of cards was stacked neatly, and that the control card was turned face down for the next student.  

Wow!  What a treat it was to experience Montessori in this way!  It urges the student to take time - not to rush.  Such an important thing to instill in our little ones who are growing up in a very fast paced world.  So many different areas of learning went into that one lesson - not only geography, but reading, matching, fine motor skills, organizing, self-correcting, cleaning up... 

What My Montessori Son Has Taught Me

Jack has been in a Montessori program for 4 years, and will continue on next year into a primary Montessori program.  He has learned so much at his school, from his teachers, from his peers, and from his environment.  Through these past few years, he has brought home the things he has learned and has imparted his knowledge and his wonder unto us.  

1. He has taught me to care more for the Earth.

2. He has taught me to be more gracious.

3. He has taught me to "breathe."

4. He has put my life in perspective - my priorities are all in the right place.

5. He has taught me to take time and observe, be it a ladybug on a leaf or a majestic view.

6. He has taught me to draw outside the lines- literally and figuratively.

7. He has taught me the value of learning in a non-abstract manner.

8. He has taught me to pick up after myself and care for my things.

9. He has taught me to eat healthier.

10. He has taught me to go "organic"-with food, as well as with household and beauty products.

11. He has taught me how cool it is to make butter, or make soap, etc...

12. He has taught me the importance of teaching him the correct way to do things, and not to just assume he knows how to do it.

13. He has taught me patience.

14. He has taught me understanding.

15. He has taught me that his capacity for learning has no limits.

16. He has taught me the importance of research.  "If you don't know about something and want to learn more about it, research it!"

17. He has taught me that a three year old can meditate - and needs it.

18. He has taught me that he has a beautiful perspective on the cycle of life, the circle of life.

19. He has taught me that he can be responsible.

20. He has taught me that he can express his feelings and thoughts anytime, anywhere, in a wonderful way.  

21. He has taught me to care for people more.

22. He has taught me how to be a "citizen of the world."

23. He has taught me that I have made one of the smartest decisions of my life (and his) by allowing him to take the Montessori path of learning.

OOHHHMMMM - Meditating with Your Child

No one is too young to meditate.  A couple years back, my son was having problems with constipation.  We tried everything...the traditional Western medicine approach - and when that didn't work out so well, we looked into ayurveda.  Then we added chiropractic care, then yoga, and meditation.  I couldn't help but smile one day when my son was sitting on the potty, in lotus position, trying desperately to "go potty" while singing the meditation song he learned in his yoga class.  

Meditating with your child can have the most profound affect on both of you.  You are both able to put things aside and simply focus on the present.  You are both able to calm your breath and calm your mind.  Here is a wonderful meditation practice you can do with your little one:

Sit facing your child.  If possible, sit in lotus (cross both legs) or half lotus position (cross one leg onto the other) on the floor.  If this is not possible, you can both sit in chairs facing each other.  Place your hands on the tops of your thighs, and have your child do the same.  Let your palms face the sky, "open to the world...open to the universe."  Calm your eyes, and gently close them.  Your child can do the same.  

Lead him through some nice relaxing breaths.  Breath in through your nose, and out through your mouth.  Do several of these breaths together.  Then, as your child continues this breathing pattern, you can say "as we breathe in, we breathe in oxygen from the trees...as we breathe out, we nourish the plants" or "as we breathe in, we breathe in peace...as we breathe out, we let go of our problems."  Get creative, you can adapt these little mantras to your child and the things he is going through.  

After you have spent a little time on these guided breaths, just breath together in harmony.  Slowly open your eyes, and hug your child.  This is a wonderful bedtime ritual.  You could even follow it with a gentle massage using lavender lotion.  He should sleep like a baby!  (even if he is not a such a little baby anymore!)

Three tips from Ed

Just finished reading, "Living Like Ed," by Ed Begley. Jr. I watch his show on Planet Earth - a channel that I am rather addicted to. And I am pretty "in the know" with ideas for sustainable living - but his book certainly taught me a few things!  

1.  Did you know that those ratty blankets (that no one would buy at a garage sale, and Goodwill would throw away) are perfect for your local animal shelter? They need blankets all the time for bedding. So, we are going to hop down to our local shelter and supply them with some of our own.

2.  It is best to use your electricity during OFF-PEAK hours.  Now, I already knew this - but I didn't know there were 3 tiers of usage hours.  HIGH PEAK is from 1pm to 5pm on weekdays. LOW PEAK is from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm on weekdays. OFF PEAK is from 8pm to 10am on weekdays, and on weekends. So, it is pretty easy to throw in your laundry in the morning, or do your vacuuming. Not a problem to run that dishwasher after 8 at night.  

3.  Even if you can't afford to buy solar panels (which would start around $30,000), you may be able to lease them for a $500 deposit and monthly payments (which would be similar to your current electric bill!)

So, I encourage you to check to book out for more great ideas.  It is a quick and easy read.  His wife Rachelle also puts in her "two-cents," so it is lots of fun!

Thankful Mornings

My son and I have established a new tradition in our morning routine.  The routine that includes me trying for 15 minutes to get him out of bed (poking, prodding, tickling, turning the lights on, turning the fan on, pulling the covers off), eating breakfast, going "poop," taking a shower, getting dressed, and finally getting out the door - YES, we have added a new element to our routine! When we finally get in the car, buckle our seat belts, and head down the road to school - we talk.  We talk about the things we are thankful for.  Today it was "Legos and mommy " for him and "springtime and Jack" for me.  It changes every morning.  It may be that he is thankful for his pets, or his artwork, or the sun, or peanut butter - but this newly established tradition puts a smile on his face and mine.

STUFF - part one (George Carlin Talks About "Stuff")

Don't you ever wonder, REALLY wonder what our obsession is with STUFF? Remember this...?

STUFF part two (The Story of Stuff)

And then, don' t you wonder, REALLY wonder where our STUFF comes from and where it ends up? 

I was listening to Rosie Radio the other day on Sirius, and she was interviewing the remarkable Annie Leonard - the creator of "The Story of Stuff."  Here is what The Story of Stuff project is ALL about, according to her website:

The Story of Stuff Project was founded in June 2008 by Annie Leonard to leverage the remarkable success of The Story of Stuff, a 20-minute web-film that explores the often hidden environmental and social consequences of America’s love affair with its stuff. Currently, the film has been viewed over 10 million times on-line and in thousands of schools, houses of worship, community centers and businesses around the world. Our Project’s focus is on systems of production and consumption—in particular the harmful environmental and social impacts of current modes of producing, consuming and disposing of material goods.