Posted by Dinah on March 12, 2009, at 22:20:03
It's an educational system/philosophy named after its founder, Maria Montessori (if I remember correctly). There are a lot of Montessori preschools, but it's harder to find one that goes to higher grades.
Part of it is teaching math with manipulatives, and having toys that teach, but a large part of it is about self efficacy and instilling a sense of pride of accomplishment. We'd come to pick up my son, and the little munchkins would be sweeping the floor, or cleaning the sink, helping in the kitchen, etc. And doing a far better job of it than you'd expect from kids that young.
I can't remember all they told us, but one thing was to encourage the child to be proud of himself because it was his accomplishments, not ours. And another was to be specific rather than general in praise. Not "you're a wonderful artist" but "I really like how you used color here".
We didn't follow through on it anywhere near as we should have.
poster:Dinah
thread:885119
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090227/msgs/885119.html