Lending a helping hand

A Montessori child develops a lot of personality traits, which stay with them for life. One such quality is helping others when needed. If you have a child in a Montessori environment, you’d be aware of the concept of mixed age-grouping. Younger children often take older ones to be role models of sorts. They see how/what the older children are doing and then try to follow suit. This is a development we as directresses and guides are aware of. Last year, came as an eye-opener for me personally, as I witnessed each day, how beautifully it worked on developing children’s social skills.

There are so many instances, that re-enforce my belief in this beautiful Montessori Method. Older children assisting younger ones to work with a particular material. Children reading to another child, helping others with their snacks or with winding up their work, reminding them politely about rules, etc. These incidents often take place without us requesting or telling the older children to do so.

One thing which clearly stands out is that older (or helping children) know when to help and how to help. They always seek permission before helping and don’t force themselves on the other children. They also know when to help and at what moment to step back.

Children understand some people need help in a situation, they might be able to assist them… what they also know is before lending a helping hand, the other person should be willing to accept help… it comes naturally to children. The community like setting of a Montessori helps children develop all this and much more.

- Falak

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Ayelet Montessori

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