In this article I will attempt to share my observations of children I have worked with over almost 40 years of teaching and how they have changed. I am alarmed at the stages of learning that are not being met. When I was growing up and when I first began teaching children spent a lot of time in the out of doors. They played in the mud, dug in the garden, collected rocks and bugs, built forts and tree houses, climbed trees and rocks, who needed a climbing structure? When they came to the Montessori classroom they were ripe for learning.
Now our children have to have a soft landing wherever they go, and OMG if they get dirty they need to be disinfected. Our children’s lack of outdoor experience has a name: “NatureDeficit Disorder is not a medical condition — it describes our lack of a relationship to the environment. It hurts our children, our families, our communities, and our environment. Luckily,the cure starts in our own backyards.” To read more go to:
http://www.education.com/topic/nature-deficit-disorder/ or just google “Nature Deficit Disorder”. It is very interesting and I believe it has a lot to do with where our children are today.
When I began teaching, I was in my early 20’s. I often thought then “I would like to work in an orphanage, parents just get in the way”. It did not take long to realize that parents are the main teachers and influence on their children and when we work as a team the children benefit.Montessori is a wonderful environment for children to thrive in and it is dependent on our team effort.
It was 1974, I was head teacher of a class of 36 children 2.5 – 6 years old. We sometimeseven accepted children just over 2. Why? You say. Because they were Potty trained and ready developmentally to begin in our program. Most children already had begun expressive languageand speaking in 3-4 word sentences. I think that expectations are the key, the children are very capable of this level of learning and parents naturally expected it. Actually, the sensitive period for potty training is 18-24 months, a child is capable of speech if it is expected and modeled. When we talk to children like we talk to adults, they pick up on more interesting vocabulary and conversational skills. As far a potty training goes, please don’t be offended but, when disposablediapers hit the scene parental motivation to help their child learn to use the toilet went out the window. Today we are all moving at such a fast pace that we do not want to take time to do what we can put off until tomorrow. This is not serving our children.
The developmental level attained by a 3 year old today is much more like a 2 year old back in the “olden days”. We get calls from parents who have almost 4 year old who is not yet potty trained. We work with children who do not look you in the eye when talking, who speak in stilted baby talk or point and grunt when they want something. Why is this? My guess is that the speed we move at today and TV have had the greatest effect o children. Because adults had to move fast, mentally and physically, to keep up in our society, TV became a great tool to keep children quiet and occupied. Unfortunately, this does not meet the developmental need of the young child. There is no response needed the program just drones on whether the child speaks to it or not. So language is stunted in a way. They hear words but do not have to speak back to them. When children are with an adult the back and forth of conversation is absorbed by the child’s brain, which is like a sponge between 0 and 6 years old. The adult can slow down and/or enunciate speech as they converse with the child. They can also vary the words so their child learns to have a more interesting communication skills. Instead of “gimme water” or “wa wa” your child can be expected to say “I am thirsty, may I have a drink, please?” They will not get these skills from TV shows that dumb down language for children.
I really believe that it is not really the quantity of time that you spend with your child, but it is the quality and focused time that you spend which will give you children the most. So turn off the cell phone, computer and TV and spend 30-60 minutes a day, listening and communicating with your child, playing in the mud, building something, cooking, gardening, the possibilities are endless. You can never make up this time later. Remember the song “Cats in a Cradle” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH46SmVv8SU) it is so true. Take it to heart. No one else can do what you do for your child. Also, this is not just Mom’s job; both parents need to be involved. Remember it is just a short time each day that will have lifetime of consequences.
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