I wonder if class adults might think there’s a little bit of magic floating around at Clementine, because I’ll sometimes overhear a conversation about something that’s needed (a paper refill, more apples, a missing tiger) and then just sort of appear beside them with it. (Sometimes I wait for a conversation with the child, too, because this is a beautiful way to build connection and confidence. But that’s an aside.)
This day, I overheard a grandma say, “We’ll have to ask Ms. Jessica, I think there’s probably an ink pad.” Which there was, coated in fingerprints, as happens in all the best toddler classrooms.
I had noticed this between classes, and could easily have wiped it down myself. Instead, I put it up on the counter, waiting for just such a moment, and 90 seconds later she was ready to stamp.
I can’t ask her whether she felt any different having been a part of this process, but over time, I can say that in totality, involving kids instead of just making things happen behind the scenes matters to kids’ engagement, ownership, empowerment.
Which brings me to the second kind of magic:
Imagine being a young child and living in a state where everything just…appears.
- Lunch? Served.
- Clean clothes? In the drawer.
- Toys? In bins, ready to play.
For a long time, kids may not be aware that there are any other possibilities than this magical replenishment/refurbishment/restoration, so it probably does feel like magic. And part of what we’re doing as parents, of course, is supporting our kids in all kinds of ways, as it should be, so sometimes we can and need to do things for them.
But if this is the constant state of affairs, I wonder if it also feels a little…disorienting? And then I know– both as a teacher and as a mom–that it can create some challenges when expectations eventually shift.
But there’s something different and amazing that happens for your child when (s)he is invited to be involved in the life of your home and family, our classroom, the wider world. It doesn’t have to feel pushy or chore-y or like a big production; you don’t have to overthink it. Simply letting your child be a part of:
- feeding the dog
- clearing the table
- chopping the apples
- putting away the silverware
…anything that is the real work of living and starting in the smallest and most natural way possible–this is its own kind of magic.
You can start today!
I’m Jessica Brown, and at Clementine, we offer Montessori parent-child classes for ages 0-3+. We learn and chat about topics like this one and more, both in and out of the classroom. If you’re local to northern Lake County, IL and are interested in learning more about our community, I’d love to hear from you!