ourteacher,’’ maria’montessori’ honoringthe’...
TRANSCRIPT
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Honoring the Inner Teacher
by Mary Ellen Maunz and Jennifer A. Williams
Our teacher, Maria Montessori
What is the “Inner Teacher”? Mindfulness
“The adult must find within himself the sEll unknown error that prevents him from seeing the child as he is. If such a preparaEon is not made, if the aItudes relaEve to such a preparaEon are not acquired, he cannot go further.”
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Seeing Beyond the StaEc • Checking in with ourselves • Going beyond programmed percepEons • AcquainEng ourselves with the inner teacher • Aligning our behaviors with the new
understanding of the inner teacher
What is normal?
What is normal? What we view as “normal” in our culture: • Measurement by comparison • Li6le freedom with choices defined by teachers • Normal = typical or average • Conformance to generalizaCon by external standards NormalizaEon as Montessori taught: • Structured freedom encourages exploraCon and growth • Prepared environment provides child choices to exercise
freedom in pursuit of his/her development • Child leads while focusing on developmentally
appropriate work and growing inner discipline and peace
The True North: Normal • Amazing concentraEon • Love for order • Freedom of choice • RepeEEon to master skill • Preference of work over play • Dislike of rewards and punishments • Love of silence • Sense of personal dignity • Precision in acEviEes • Self-‐discipline through work
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Prepare the way
It is not we teachers who fill the empty vacuum of the child; it is the inner powers of the child that develop himself. It is a natural force of life, fulfilling itself ⎯if we prepare the way and let the child do this incredible work.
The child is the builder of man
Contemplate and revel in the power of the child as the builder of mankind
TransformaEon is a process of change rather than a single event.
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The child is construcEng him-‐ and herself, directed by
their inner teacher
Respect the inner teacher
Learn to see with the eyes of the heart
The words “naughty” and “good” can disappear from your vocabulary
“The child is becoming disciplined” or “the child is not becoming disciplined.”
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Teach by teaching and modeling, not by correcEng Examine your expectaEons
Once children have explored, manipulated, and worked in their environment, acEons are integrated and mastered. This inner-‐ directed work allows them to become masters of their own minds and bodies.
Remove ourselves as obstacles
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Everything you do for the child that he can do for himself is an obstacle to his development
Learn to temper your love with wisdom
Control of error and exacEtude
Encourage creaEvity and discriminaEon
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Serve the needs of children
Watch and wait Learn humility “How would it be, if the teacher should seek the truth in the soul of the child?”
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See beyond the surface Step back
Let the child lead! Keep improving, keep refining Details maZer
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Your balance
Without your own inner balance, it is difficult to help children find theirs
Find your perfect balance • Master the details of every presentaEon • Recognize what to give to whom, and when to give it
Help children find their balance! Montessori makes us want to be beZer human beings
As we are transformed by Montessori, our offering to the children is also transformed.
Our hearts open. We learn to love more. And our children thrive.
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Be a scienEst and a mysEc Go with spontaneous joy!
To reach Mary Ellen or for more informaEon about other great webinars and resources, visit www.ageofmontessori.org To contact contact Jennifer, email [email protected] or visit heartmanity.com for great resources.