“The child’s progress does not depend only on his age, but also on being free to look around him.”
~ Dr. Montessori
DATES TO REMEMBER:
– Chickadees & Hummingbirds Parent Meeting, Thurs., Sept. 5th, 6:30-7:30pm*
– Warblers Parent Meeting, Tues., Sept. 10th, 6-7:30pm*
– Cardinals Parent Meeting, Tues., Sept. 17th, 6-7:30pm*
*child care available for parent meetings ($5/child), sign up sheet in classroom
– Individual Photos, Thurs. Sept. 19th and Fri. Sept. 20th — arrive by 8:30am, dressed for photos; order forms will be sent out soon
On the Road …Orienting anew every few days!
My husband and I have been traveling this summer…by car, first north to Wisconsin and then west to Seattle. Along the way we have stayed in various hotels and, quite happily, with several different old friends in their homes along our route.
All the changes got me to thinking about the ‘human tendency’ – the drive that stays with us our whole lives through – of orientation. Unlike the short lived ‘sensitive periods’ or ‘windows of opportunity’, the human tendencies are always there to assist us whether we are infants, adults, or aged.
Some years ago now, I had the opportunity to care for my long-time neighbor in her decline and passing. Preparing her environment so that she could function as independently as possible meant keeping a very disciplined order so that she, with the loss of her vision, could still orient herself in her home. In another example, a friend, whose elderly mom retained her vision but lost some memory, made posters for her with pictures and names of family members, etc. It was helpful as a point of reference for her mom, and also for visitors as a great starting point for conversation.
School orientation, job orientation…as adults we bring our conscious awareness, and maybe a notebook, to the task; the infant brings his whole pre-conscious self … his ‘absorbent mind’!
The infant, arriving at birth with all his senses working, and 100 billion neurons making connections at an extraordinary rate based on experience in the environment, must orient himself to a completely different environment from the one he has known. Fortunately there are ‘points of reference’ to assist him in knowing that he is safe; his mother’s voice and her heartbeat, even though heard from a different position, are familiar and reassuring to him. His need to see where he is, to move freely in that (safe) space and to manipulate the objects that are there, are all important elements of orientation.
A well- prepared environment helps the young child orient himself as he starts to move about and, what luck, it also supports another of the tendencies: order!
While visiting here in the Pacific Northwest in this charming harbor town, we too have been finding points of reference that assist us in finding our way. (Turn left at the yellow painted coffee shop and you’re almost home! )
Every home along our way has been ordered differently, which can be challenging to keep straight, especially half asleep in the middle of the night! As adults, though, we consciously take note of furniture placement, location of light switches, and other people’s boundaries. (Even so, Peter had a nasty run in with an AC unit.)
If there is one thing that visiting multiple homes reminds us about, it is that everyone has his or her own unique sense of order! There is never only one way… but, in whatever unique way one lives, consistency and awareness are key. Being aware that young children are absorbing everything may aid us in our own order…knowing full well that what they hear, they will likely repeat, and how things are seen to be treated will influence the way they treat those things. Dr Montessori said, “Imitation is the first instinct of the awakening mind.”
Montessori education is an “aid to life”. … and orientation is a life-long “human tendency”.
It is so clear to me as we travel…through the country on a trip, and through time as our capacities change. It’s going to feel so good to be home in our own familiar environment! I sure do hope everything is right where we left it!
To contact Gio Bellonci, who writes this portion of our newsletter, with your questions and/or comments
write to her at mimaustin@gmail.com and visit her website Montessori In Motion
Hawthorne Montessori School Blog 