These flip flops remind me of The Number Rods in a Montessori classroom!!! You can see Claire's bite marks on them

Preparation of The Spirit

"It is not about learning of ideas but the preparation of the spirit....... A teacher who is to help life has to deeply understand the child...." These were Dr. Montessori's words. 

Handicraft Exhibition on Beach Road

I have been discovering how true these words are.  I am often filled with thoughts of students working and some not working in the classroom.  It is a beautiful experience.  Today we designed small tables and chairs and shelves for the classroom.  The carpenter is so very amazed, he has never made such small furniture.  He is equally eager to see our classroom, he has no idea what is going to be the use of his creation.  I told him that it will give him immense joy when he actually sees what the children will do and accomplish.

I bought three trays that looked beautiful from a craft exhibition yesterday, I kept trying to place one on the table and pick it up very carefully several times.  I totally forgot that people were watching me and ended up receiving some strange looks.  But I was only trying to see if the little hands will be comfortable grasping these trays.  And this is not new for any Montessori teacher out there.

Sunrise Early Monday Morning

I have a great desire to do good in the field of education.  I have the certitude that it is possible and that I am not the only one with such hope. 

Total Freedom Leads to Chaos

Montessori

I have been having a lot of discussions on education as I am meeting people and sharing my ideas.  When I mention 'Montessori', most people think its a new idea of letting the child be free in the classroom, let him do whatever he wants and the teachers are very open minded.  This allows me to speak of the very beginning of Early Childhood Education of which Dr. Montessori was one of the founding and defining authors.  I was very happy to tell the story of how Dr. Montessori came up with the new scientific method of educating the young child in which the child's natural desire for learning is nurtured.  And this method is widely used in various ways in all educational institutes through out the world.

Freedom Vs Structure

Dr. Montessori spoke of an environment which is student driven and not merely teacher driven.  Students are the engine of the classroom not the teacher.  I have always tried to understand the fine balance between freedom and structure.  I have been in classrooms that were totally teacher driven and classrooms that were student driven.  It is difficult to find a classroom that is perfect but however a balance between the both can be brought through maintaining a structured environment.  When the child experiences total freedom his life becomes chaotic which is the result of lack of concentration, coordination, order and independence.  This affects the child's ability to form judgements, make decisions and think critically in the long run.  Structure means freedom within limits.  The young child needs structure, structure in daily routine, structure in the classroom, structure in the playground.  This structure is created in a Montessori classroom through a prepared environment which reduces the chance of experiencing chaos.  Experiencing chaos can be good sometimes in order to appreciate structure and order, but not all the time.  The child between the age of 0-3 experiences an immense amount of information entering into his brain but does not have the ability to sort it out or categorize it, this is when the child is a bit chaotic but once the child is three years old, he begins to practice logic and reasoning and is able to categorize information.  Often external order helps the child to have an image of the internal order and structure and thus it is essential that education to be imparted to nurture inner order.

Acquisition of Language in The Developing Child

I have recently met some parents and relatives who are concerned that their toddler  is not talking and so I happened to explain the Language Acquisition sequence to some but have decided to make it available here so everyone can make use of this great tool for understanding the development of language in the young child.

Dr. Montessori’s Language Acquisition sequence shows that acquisition of language is a sophisticated method of communication, verbal as well as written acquired over a length of time.  Dr. Montessori humorously termed this process of learning as the machinery of speech. She believed that the possession of language is just not enough, it is the possession of the mechanism that each human being has and that enables him to make language his own.  The Language Acquisition chart describes the natural progression of the development of language.

Dr. Montessori's chart describing Acquisition of Language, I have two typing errors here; in utero, the fetus responds to external 'stimuli' and by 6 years of age the language is 'complete'

According to this sequence of development, the fetus responds to external stimuli even when he is in his mother’s womb. From birth to 3 months of age the infant turns his head towards the sound. From 3 to 6 months the infant begins to babble, occasionally repeating sounds. At 10 months the child becomes conscious of language and discovers that words have meaning.  He also begins to grasp that words are directed towards him. Between 12 -15 months, he uses his first intentional words. At 18 months the child realizes that every object has a name and finally between 21 months - 2.5 years the child explodes into the use of words and phrases and possesses a vocabulary of more than 250 words. The slow and steady development appears in a vigorous outburst. From the age of 2.5 years to 6 years is the time when the child constantly learns grammar syntax, refines his verbal skills and continuously strives to perfect his language.

Indian Welcome And Talking About Montessori

Indian Welcome

Claire and myself under a mango tree

Our long airplane journey finally ended in homeland in Chennai.  It still feels very much like a dream.  A very good friend came to pick us up at the airport.  Baby and I were exhausted and dehydrated when we got to Pondicherry.  We stayed at the Carmel Convent's guest house.  This convent was built in the 17th century,  a significant piece of the history of this coastal town.  The sisters welcomed us and we were comfortable. We visited with sisters while they busily made hosts for the whole archdiocese here.  I recalled my retreats here when I was a student at the Pondicherry University.  Ever since I have landed here I have been feasting my eyes with the view of the Bay of Bengal, coconut trees,  fresh mangoes and  the joy of being around family members fills my heart up to the brim.  People just consider any baby as their own here, often strangers passing by stop to tickle Claire.  Everyone here is very warm and although the daily struggles of life are amplified there is still peace and certitude of a better tomorrow.

Talking About Montessori

I have been meeting a lot of people among who are many parents and their children are in schools.  It seems that there are many playschools in the area and all of them say they are either Montessori or Montessori inspired.  Although these schools are doing good work there is room for a Montessori school dedicated to Dr. Montessori's principles.  When I expressed my ideas to my father he told me the story of the island where nobody wore shoes and how all the salesmen from a shoe making company failed to sell any shoes until one salesman came along.  This salesman said "The market is here, I just have to teach them how to wear shoes and the benefits of wearing shoes!!"  I feel the same, however it is so different from wearing shoes to bringing awareness about early childhood development and an education that will lay foundation for the rest of the life of the child.  I visited one of the prominent schools in the town and found that a huge classroom of four walls and a few fancy tables defined the child's environment where he is to learn and discover.  I am evermore eager and impatient to have a classroom ready.

We are in the process of finding a building suitable for our needs for a classroom and an outdoor space.  The town is pretty compact and to dream of a garden space is a lot but there is no harm in dreaming.

So much for now! I will be able to write more often now, as I finally have internet.

Dr. Montessori's Time in India Part 1

There is not much information about Dr. Montessori's time in India.  Recently, I stumbled upon an article on the web written by Dr. Gardner.  The article is in two parts and I have read them both.  It made me recall my experience of visiting a school that was founded by Leena Sarabhai under the guidance of Dr. Montessori who stayed with her for many years.

Leena Sarabhai and Myself

In 2008 when Stephen and I were in India, we made several phone calls to find out if there were any Montessori Institutes or schools in the area where we were staying.  Fortunately someone from Bangalore gave us the name of a Montessori school in Ahmedabad.  Stephen and I decided to go there for an observation.  It is called the Shreyas Foundation.  We were taken by surprise to see a beautiful wooded campus in the middle of the daily hub of Ahmedabad.  We were greeted by a pair of peacocks as we walked towards the sparingly visible building. 

"I have been here before!" I said to Stephen and he laughed saying, "In your dreams."  No, I really had been here in 1996 with a classmate of mine, Deepali, who had attended this school.  She took me there to show me her school and in particular meet her teacher who still teaches here.

Leena Sarabhai and Stephen

We received a very warm welcome by the office staff and were told that 'Madam'(Dr. Montessori), herself had designed the school building and the campus.  We were given the opportunity to visit two classrooms that were set up by Dr. Montessori.  Observations from these two classrooms are recorded in her books, The Absorbent Mind and The Discovery of The Child. It was an amazing experience and we were eager to meet the founder of the school,  Leena Sarabhai.  We took an auto ricksha to her residence and were fortunate to spend some time with her.  We sat by Leena Sarabhai and listened to fabulous stories of Dr. Montessori and her venture of starting  the Shreyas Foundation.   She held our hands and told us to come to India and that there was much to be done.  

Leena Sarabhai invited us to join her at the school the next week for a cultural program.  Stephen and I took a seat with little students in one of the open air auditoriums where young students won our hearts by their performance.  Stephen has a recording of our conversations with Leena Sarabhai. 

Leena Sarabhai's Garden

It has been four years since we visited Shreyas and hope we will have another chance to visit again.  I am confident that we will be able to respond to this invitation towards serving little people who need us the most and truly there is much to be done.

Dr. Montessori's time in India.... to be continued in Part 2

The Black Outlines

Teen Board Box with a black outlined lid

We have found that all of the boxes containing Montessori materials have black outlines.  I find it very interesting and assume that it is for tracing the box before presentation, giving the child a visual parameter of the shape and size of the box.  I remember when Sr. Anita told us the secret behind using mats in the classroom.  It is to give the child a visual sense of his work area and research has proved that the young child does not have the ability to use peripheral vision until much later.  I doubt if any manufacturers still make these boxes with black outlines.

Unusual Things and a Quick Trip to Chicago Part 2

Treasure in the Garage

Complete set of long and short chains

 You have to look with the child's eyes to call these materials "Treasures."  Montessori materials help the child develop coordination, concentration, order and independence and above all they are the tools for transferring ideas from the teacher to the student while  assisting the development other higher faculties.

My eyes lit up when I saw a full set of long and short chains, Moveable Alphabets and Sensorial materials.  When I saw a clear plastic circle for tracing the hemispheres I exclaimed, "Found it!!!" Everyone else other than myself and Dr. Sarada were rolling their eyes. 

I have to say it was all meant to be.  I have such love for my motherland and at last I am able to give back some.  And so many people have become either a cause or the means for us to get there.  I am truly grateful.  There is still much to be done from finding an ideal building to making sure that there is a sandbox and some outdoor play equipment, a garden,  some furniture and more puzzles and more books.  

Stephen loading the truck

We have the certitude that everything will work out as we have a good cause to work towards.

 

Unusual Things and a Quick Trip to Chicago Part 1

Jaya Auntie

Dr. Jaya and Myself

Sometimes things just happen to us and we are left with many "Why?" thoughts.  It has just happened to me.  I was as usual taking a walk with my little daughter on a beautiful morning in May, I knew someone was walking behind me.  I am so used to stopping and letting people go ahead of me pretending that I am fixing my baby's blanket and this morning I did the same.  I let this slender evenly paced woman overtake me. 

As I resumed my walking I noticed that she had a very long beautiful braid almost coming down to her waist.  Immediately so many guesses ran through my mind,  "She could be Indian...wait, let me walk faster and overtake her to see if she is really Indian!"    And so I did, huffed and puffed hurriedly.  I overtook her and looked at her and spotted a beautiful red dot(bindi) on her forehead, I knew she was from India but as I looked at her she looked right back at me.  When I got nervous I started talking.  I asked her if she was from India and the answer was, "Take three guesses, the answer is yes, yes and yes!" and we burst out laughing.  We had a nice introduction and found we carried India with us.  It was a very joyous meeting.  This wonderful person is 'Jaya Auntie'...

 

Dr. Sarada and Montessori Materials

Dr. Sarada and Myself

...Now as we talked I mentioned to her that I was moving back to India to start a Montessori school,  she was very happy and wanted me to get in touch with her friend in Chicago who is a Montessori Teacher.  And this wonderful person in Chicago is 'Sarada Auntie.'   

Dr. Sarada has taught Montessori for many years and is a celebrated author and a scholar.  Dr. Sarada had run a Montessori program for many years and happened to have some Montessori material in her basement.  She offered to give it to us and..."Lo and behold... we have a significant amount of material to bring back to India with us."  So, we rented a pick up truck and drove to Chicago over the week end with our good friends Paritosh and Sunaina.  It was much fun and of course we had the baby changing, feeding and playing all through the way.

Treasure in the Garage

Now as we pulled in the drive way we saw a few boxes and some materials lying on a sheet in the garage.  We saw Sarada Auntie and Jaya Auntie come out through the door and were surprised to see all of us show up.  A very warm welcome brightened our faces and the fatigue disappeared.  Soon we looked at everything and started packing, we were only expecting a few things but there were many. 

Most of the classic Math and Sensorial materials kept coming out of the boxes.  As we looked through the boxes, Dr. Sarada's eyes were filled with tears, she had kept these materials for such a long time, they were very special to her.  She had always wanted to give them to someone who could use them in an appropriate way.  

I hope these materials will be used appropriately by little hands in our classroom.   Dr. Montessori herself was very apprehensive of anyone using her didactic apparatus without training and understanding the purpose behind it.

Treasure in the garage........to be continued in Part 2

Fond Memories of Barrie School

I have been very fortunate to have spent some time at Barrie school.  It is here that I learned the true meaning of 'the discovery of the child.'  The teachers are advocates of Montessori education and the natural desire for learning.  I believe that the quality of education and time spent at school is usually reflected on the face of the student.  And in my memories are the radiant faces of Barrie students.

When I came to the lower school,  someone told me that the campus looked very beautiful then but it would not nearly be as pleasant during winter.  It stood true; came winter, all pretty leaves disappeared and one could only see tall trees meditating in deep cold.  However the cold days did not feel nearly as difficult because there was the warmth of loving teachers around.  I still remember the International Children's Day,  it was freezing cold but the joy of seeing young friends with so much enthusiasm kept me warm. 

Working with Cathy Carpenter and Ernestine McCoy was a great experience.  Some of my favorite moments spent at Barrie were the Army and Fife Musical Band performance,  International games festival,  playing birds in trees in the woods, study of trees especially the soil erosion study.  

Soil that was covered with tree 

parts like leaves, twigs, flowers remains intact

Soil without trees erodes

Saying Good Bye

It is now time to say "Good Bye."  In the recent past I have enjoyed the wealth of having friends around as great pillars of support.  Hope our friendship will continue across the oceans.  I will be very much interested in knowing what you are up to and how we could do 'New Things.'

Fond Memories 2010

I am certain that each one of us has a unique call in the field of education and for me it is India calling me.  I have always had a sense of that and for various reasons could not respond earlier.  My hopes for starting a Public Charter Montessori School in DC have not diminished; I hope some of you will be able to take on the stand and do it.  

I would like to acknowledge you all as source of inspiration while cherishing all the days spend together, at the Institute and during our gatherings.  I greatly appreciate your dedication and commitment as teachers and colleagues. 

Fond Memories 2011

Some of my favorite moments were when Nick taught us to sing B A Be, B E B, B Bi Biki Bi B O Bo..., I loved to hear roars of laughter, especially Paige's and Jipsy's voices.  I had so much fun making little paper frogs with Sarah during The Science Behind the Genius, multimedia presentation.  I remember the fun we had at Melissa's place at our first gathering.  I enjoyed seeing Guiles everyday early in the morning.  Jackie showed us the best table wash ever.  Shahana's Bhangra and Candice's post it notes are in my memories.  Addie, you didn't notice but I was always watching you eat....hehe..sushi yummm. Thanks for the rides to the metro.  Christie, I loved all the materials you made.  Michele, I loved meeting your family at the museum.  There are many more moments to remember and smile.  

I am looking forward to using this blog as a tool to communicate and share what we do and have in future.  I am still figuring out how to write a blog and manage it.

Miscellaneous

It has been quite a challenge to pack 'home' into boxes.  Packing can be a nightmare with a 9 month old around because Claire, the 9 month old,  has mastered the art of unpacking.  She is able to open any box or carton using her four upper or lower teeth.  She can undo anything for example she will topple over a basket full of socks, toys or little objects, she can pull  clothes out of the suitcase one by one.  You could observe and find that there is some great force driving her to do this as she constructs herself.  My efforts to teach her to put things back into a basket or bag are vain. "She is not there yet!" She is just now beginning to associate signs with actions or feelings.  Yesterday she made the sign for pain when she fell during her attempt to stand up.

I have bought some very small objects from Michael's. You must check out 'Toob' hand painted objects, I was fascinated by their Seven Wonders of The World.  Here is the web address www.safariltd.com.  I hope to find many interesting materials in India but there are some exceptional materials which will be difficult to find there.  I am also looking for sequencing books and small puzzles. 

I am looking forward to bringing some positive contributions in the field of education in India.  There is so much to be done.

Test Post

Dr. Montessori depicted the growth and development of a human being from birth to adulthood based on human tendencies.  These human tendencies are exploration, adaptation, work and intellectual abstraction or reasoning.  This development occurs in four separate and distinct stages termed as the “planes of development.” As the child transitions from one plane to another, he experiences a transformation of his psychological characteristics. 

For example, in the first plane, the child moves from being an orderly, self-focused and concrete learner to a less orderly, more collaborative and imaginative learner in the second plane.  While the planes of development are divided into six year periods, the point of transition may not be the same for each child,  a child may transition eventually.  The childʼs actions and approach to the world are indicative of

his stage of development.