Recently, we had the opportunity to observe B&B in their classes. Since our experience with Montessori is so little, we were eager to see the inner workings of their classrooms — especially since, when we ask them what they did at school during dinner, we get the teenage shrug and the, “I dunno,” totally indifferent answers. (Seriously? Thirteen more years of this?)
Buddy is typically methodical and observant and proved to be this way in class as well. We watched him work on his Burlap Sewing (measuring, cutting, threading pieces of yarn and then weaving them through a patch of burlap) for over 30 minutes. He sat and listened and continued working while the class gathered to sing songs and talk about the ‘goals’ of the day (I guess if you are already working on something, you don’t need to join in). That kid has more focus than I have. His teacher told us later that he is normally in the mix of the morning chaos — helping put away dishes, preparing snacks, joining the group in its morning ‘meeting’ — but he had several things that he wanted to show us while we were there, so he was focused on his ‘work’ that morning. He kept looking up at us and giving us shy little smiles. Is it possible that a kid his age wants so badly to make his parents proud? It was the sweetest f’ing thing.
Bean was also very excited to have us in her classroom and to show off. She went to work right away washing her hands and preparing snacks for the class, cutting apple slices and putting crackers out. She joined the group during their morning meeting and was very into the singing portion. Afterwards she began preparing her snack. Two other kids were fighting over the other plate (two kids can snack at a time). She wagged her finger at them and said, “Hey, hey, HEY! You two,” pointing her finger back and forth, “You two need to WORK THIS OUT!” They stopped for a moment while she talked to them, then resumed yanking the plate from each other as soon as she walked off to get more apple slices.
G and I looked at each other and nearly fell out of our chairs laughing. In all honesty, I was also a little embarrassed. It was like listening to myself. Really — she had a cold and her voice was deeper than normal. Bos.Sy. Wow. And that is exactly what I say when I don’t want to listen to B&B fighting anymore and want to preempt any tattletaling.
Her teacher told me that Bean is often put in charge of things. I guess it’s natural for her to be bossy. So… I guess we just have to let their personalities fall where they may.
I fear for the other kids in her class.
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I really covet the Montessori education. But I also recently came to the harsh realization that preschool *gasp* costs money!
Who knew?
Anyway, it sounds really neat
Your kids are a hoot.
(P.S. I was totally Bean when I was a kid and I like to think I turned out ok…
I LOVE that you had two totally different experiences. Yep, that Bean is a leader. And Buddy, he’s the rock. You know, that one guy eveyone depends on… because he’s a rock. (He also rocks… hahaha :-))
One of these days, when LN has fully transitioned and the director won’t give me the stink-eye for hovering around the corner, I will go in and observe - coz, I, too get that “I did nothing in school” response.
Oh thanks for posting about this! Robby is in Montessori for infants right now part time, and they don’t do a whole lot of “work” right now, I’m excited for when he gets to join the big kids! BTW, thanks for the recipes, and I’m going to send you an invite to Robby’s blog since I’m a half mama too, and found your blog through the Kimchi Mamas!
Oh my — too funny! Feels kinda weird when you hear your kid saying something that you’ve said to them, doesn’t it!
lol, just think: great minds think alike! yup, you and bean are just that awesome.
i’d love to observe emmy at school but i’d totally want to be hidden - otherwise she’d want me all. day. long.
so neat that you got to observe them. i wonder if our montessori has a day like that for us, too. that would be great, but [shrug] I dunno.
I love it. Buddy is so cute!!! Some times max looks like him I think. He also focuses intently on his task at hand for a good 15 minutes.
Bean sounds like a force to be reckoned with. Like mama huh? (I’m so so excited to be expecting a girl…I can’t even tell you. you PROLLY know anyway.)
That’s so great that you got to observe the kids. I am always amazed when I hear my words coming out of my kids’ mouths. It makes you step back and realize, hey, they actually do listen sometimes, very scary.
I love watching kids at “work” - seeing what skills they are acquiring, what behaviors they exhibit outside of home, and how they’re developing and interacting with other kids. When I talk to my friends’ kids about what did they do at school, I usually get a “I played with so-and-so”. I ask them what games did they play, did they sing any songs, did they get in trouble today, etc. Now I get a solid 20 minute accounting of what the kids did in school from the kids.
Wow. I’m such a nerd.
As a kid, I started off as a focused Buddy, but now I’m a sassy Bean.
I hope my twins are just as admirable. I swear your twins are the ideal kids to have. Well I’m sure they have their moments but seriously they are just too awesome!