Grace and Courtesy

Grace and Courtesy lessons are more than just the materials on the shelf. These lessons are living and breathing in the Montessori classroom and found all around.  At the beginning of the school year, we focus heavily on presenting and modeling Grace and Courtesy lessons which in turn become the cornerstone of classroom expectations. 

Some examples of these lessons  {which we are currently working on in our toddler environment} include:

• How to unroll and roll a rug

• How to politely interrupt someone 

• How to clean up a spill 

• How to wait your turn for a material

• greeting someone

• introducing oneself

• shaking hands

• receiving visitors

• apologizing/excusing oneself

• watching and observing others

• taking turns

• interrupting/asking for help

• using a quiet voice

• speaking in a polite tone

• saying please and thank you

• blowing one’s nose

• coughing and sneezing

• washing one’s hands

• inviting and refusing a partner or playmate

• respecting others and their space

• walking around people and objects

• sitting on and putting away a chair

• walking in line

• offering food

• caring for works, books, and the environment

• carrying work or objects

• being silent

• being kind

• making friends

The desire to be gracious and courteous is naturally present in the child.

Examples given by NAMC http://montessoritraining.blogspot.fr/2010/03/montessori-grace-courtesy-infants.html 

Grace and Courtesy lessons are ever expanding and evolving with the children's needs and behaviors. 

Maria Montessori believed children from age 2  to 6 were in a Sensitive Period for order. This means that the child is drawn to order in the external environment so that he can create his own order internally.

"Within every young child is the need for order. The initial lessons of Grace and Courtesy center on building the Montessori classroom community, and are often presented in the context of the Montessori Practical Life curriculum. They answer the child's questions of how they fit into and participate in their environment. Using clear language and modeling, Montessori teachers present these lessons to provide structure so the child can know her place, not only in the Montessori environment, but in the world at large. So in the child, besides the vital impulse to create himself, and to become perfect, there must yet another purpose, a duty to fulfill in harmony, something he has to do in the service of a united whole. ~ " Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, pg 57.

Nikki

Classroom Limits

Limits are the foundation for discipline in the Montessori toddler environment. Limits are clear and simple rules that are consistently upheld in the community. Young children need limits to feel safe and secure in their environment. Limits also help children establish who they are within a community. Adults maintain these limits and model them to the children. 

"The Umbrella Limits" 

The child in the toddler environment is allowed freedom within these three limits:

1. Treat other people with respect, kindness, and peace both physically or emotionally 
2. Treat the materials and environment with care. 
3. Treat self with respect and care.  

In our classroom, as long as the Umbrella Limits are being followed, the child is free to choose an activity and work on it for as long as they desire.

If a child needs help with following a limit, we may model the expected behavior, provide a lesson, or invite the child to the quiet corner.

Expectations:

 There are certain expectations which we set and model in the classroom.

• Use a rug to define your space when working on the floor. Roll and return rug when finished.
• Table works may only be completed on a table.
• Clean up all materials when finished.
• Return work to the shelf so it is ready for the next friend to use.
• Walk in the classroom.
• Maintain a quiet voice level.
• Ask to observe a friend. If they agree, observe silently with your hands behind your back.
• Try to dress self before asking for help from an adult.
• Try each food item at lunch before receiving the next course.
• Clean up dishes from lunch.
• Brush teeth after lunch. 

Expectations grow and evolve along with the children.  As they become more confident and capable with tasks, their expectations will increase.  

Nikki

Firefighters: Thank you Captain Thirot

Throughout the months of November and December, the toddler community learned about the important career of being a firefighter. We read books, sang songs, looked at pictures, and made crafts. 

On December 12, we visited the Coulommiers fire station. Captain Thirot, hosted our tour of the fire station and garage of emergency vehicles.

The firefighters greeted us and welcomes the children.

We got to watch the rescue vehicle send its ladder up into the sky.

The children were able to test out all the machinery used in rescuing people.

One of the most memorable moments was when the children got to dress up in firefighter gear!

We even got to test out the hose!

It was a great day of exploring and learning at the fire station!

Nikki