Welcome Readers :)

Welcome readers !
Thank you for visiting 'Inside the child' and hope that your time spend reading my blog is educational. It includes my thoughts and approach to a child, based on the Montessori educational philosophy that emphasize on independence, freedom within limits and learning concepts of working with materials hands-on, rather than by direct instructions.

My favorite quote by Dr. Maria Montessori “There is in every child a painstaking teacher, so skillful that he obtains identical results in all children in all parts of the world. The only language men ever speak perfectly is the one they learn in babyhood, when no one can teach them anything!”
As a Children's House Montessori teacher, it is my pleasure to share my experience with children of ages 2 1/2 - 7 yrs old, and how small little things makes a big difference. Enjoy reading. Thank you.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Listening ears

It's a tricky thing to be a friend of a child. Though, I have not had any issue on this yet. Yea, sometimes with some children it takes a longer time and with others it happens instantly. I am not sure how it feels to be a friend of your own child, hm ! well, I can only imagine.

One activity that brings a child closer to me is reading a book or lots of books, a smiling face, low verbal tone and yes, I tell them what happened in my day either yesterday or today. I use phrases like, " You know when I was...", " It happened one day with me...", "Hey, I like that too...", "How about both of us...". It is like you have to talk about your environment and their environment. You have to relate to things in their life. Win their attention. Get them close to you by working with them, helping with their projects, giving them some work to help you. Let them know that you are so incomplete without them. They will love you for everything.
I do the same, and then, I'll speak once and the child follows - non-stop :) Seriously, you will realize how easy it is to talk to a child. It gives me pleasure to be somebody's listening ears. It is equally important that the child cherish to be a good listener too.

Basic requirements to be a good listener are concentration, interest, patience and compassion.


Musical bells not only educate about music but they have helped me to guide a child to listen to others. Children enjoy different sounds. A few minutes of peace is what they need, with the soft tinkle in their ears. This develops their concentration, helps them to focus on different sounds and of course, educate them the basic keynotes of music eg, C, D, E, F, G.

The Rainshakers - You can buy these from different stores and you get loads of varieties of rain shakers. This is a great tool to develop interest and concentration. Children sit with this for a long time focusing on each bead and noticing the way they rattle on turning upside down. Don't miss out that smiling delighted face when they are with rainshakers.

I always want a child to relax and calm down before he can understand how important it is to listen. These tools are a great help. After this, we sit and talk. The child is more focused and calm at this point. Being at peace helps a lot to be compassionate and gentle in nature.
It is not likely that every child may like to use these tools. Well, at that point the following the child helps a lot. I just simply observe a child's actions and needs from afar. When opportunity comes I gently come across and give a hand to help. It works, try !

images taken from www.lakeshorelearning.com

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