The Dustiest Material

 

What are we observing? Certainly children, perhaps the flow of the work cycle, maybe even what areas of the room the children visit the most.  When was the last time you observed for the materials that rarely come off the shelf? Or when you are cleaning,  the dustiest material, otherwise known as a missed opportunity!

There are reasons why some materials get lost in the shuffle.  Just like us,  children stop seeing familiar objects in their environment. (This is why having a coworker pop in to lays eyes on your room is always helpful- they see things you aren't!). Being observers themselves,  they get excited/ inspired by the materials that others are using.  This often least to more use.  So when a material doesn't leave the shelf at all,  what are we to do?

1. Reflect: Why? Are there truly no children that could not benefit from a lesson (probably not)? Think about your group and your observations, who might be a child perfect for the lesson? Plan for it by writing in your lesson plan so you don't forget!

2. Investigate: Is the material dirty or in poor repair? If so,  then clean it- give it a little love and polish. If it's broken, make the repair as best you can. Touch up the paint or reglue the knobs for example.

3. Ask yourself: How do you feel about that particular material? Is it not a favorite of yours? Is it a lesson you don't feel comfortable presenting? Then it's time to find some excitement about it! Revisit your write-up and practice. Discover something fun about it.

If you have worked through those three things then you are ready to sprinkle a little of your Montessori magic! When the children are in the room and working away:

1. Touch the material. Just walk by and open the box for a moment. Open and close a couple of the drawers or give the globe a gentle turn.  They are watching,  I promise! Every time I did this,  not five minutes later, that material was off the shelf!

2. Take the material out and work with it on your own.  The children will see your interest and if you think it's interesting, they will too!

3. Give some lessons. Make them extra fun and engaging! The excitement for that material will spread through the room.

Inciting interest is part of the art of being a Montessori teacher. The invitation to the lesson is only the first part in grabbing the child's interest.  Sometimes we have to get creative to keep it alive! That's part of the reason we have so many following exercises for these materials, to keep the children wanting to come back for more. 

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