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The Education Optimist Show

Nancy Lindeman on The Art of Observation In a Montessori Classroom

July 8, 2018

Episode Takeaways-

This episode is powerful for teachers who are looking to enhance their observation skills. It’s also powerful for parents who are considering the Montessori Method as a school program for their children. Make sure you listen all the way to the end where we get to the essence of the Montessori Method and what we can learn from our children if we turn inward to our spiritual selves.

Nancy dives into the meaning behind observation and the importance of developing the habit of observation as a Montessori Guide. As Montessori Guides we must use scientific tools to guide our observation, not just passively observe. When we use the tools to collect the data we are prepared and confident to have a conversation with the parent of a child who is struggling. In this episode we also discuss how teachers can submit their own Action Research to prove and validate how the Montessori Method works, through an Action Research group of volunteers through AMS.

Nancy’s Contact Information:

Email – [email protected]

Quotes to Fill Up Your Cup-
“Montessori teachers are trained to be scientists if they’ll take it to heart.”

“Your heart really has to be in the right place. You have to be willing to turn off the Director in the classroom and really be the watcher, the listener, the feeler. Observation is so sensorial you really have to turn on every sense you have.”

“Part of the prepared environment is the prepared adult.”

“The basis of understanding Montessori Methodology is in observation.”

“Observation is scientifically looking at something…that is different than just looking at something.”

“If you have a child that is not able to engage and be on task, the information that you gather consistently in the same method, using the same data collection tool, validates what you see. That’s scientific. That’s what a scientist does.”

“Observation is not a one-time thing. It may take 6 weeks until you can gather enough information to give it to someone else, a specialist, who can help diagnose that child.”

“Children are so pure. If we can see them with our spiritual eyes instead of our worldly eyes, it’s amazing the relationships we develop when we do that, in order to do that we have to be at our optimum best.”

References Mentioned-

Observing Development of the Young Child – Janice Beaty

Montessori Teacher Planners – Catherine Mathews & Nancy Lindeman

Nurturing the Spirit: In Non-Sectarian Classrooms - Aline D. Wolf

 

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