Routines & Rules
"Order is one of the needs of life, which when it is satisfied, produces a real happiness"
Maria Montessori
Order. A human tendency of every human. It's an innate power that drives us towards specific needs. Children aged 3 to 6 are in a sensitive period for order, meaning they are perpetually trying to make sense of their world, trying to create order in an unknown world of chaos. When a child knows what to expect, they can focus on other avenues of self-development, such as exploration and establishing a sense of independence. These two needs are essential, but the child needs safety, security, order, and consistency before they can hone these other skills. In a Montessori classroom, we provide the child with routine, rules, and expectations of their classroom community, or in other words, a sense of order.
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Routines are essential in fostering order within your child. Developing and maintaining a schedule at home will help your child feel safe as they can predict what will come next. Knowing what is expected in any given moment, or what comes after and given moment will further help your child develop independence. In a Montessori environment we provide the same routine everyday.
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Arrival
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Three-hour work cycle
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Lunch
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Recess
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Nap or Extended day work period
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Aftercare
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Dismissal
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Routines
Freedom within Limits
​A prepared Montessori environment provides children freedom within limits. Meaning the child is granted the agency to choose activities at will, move freely within the environment, and make independent choices. The adult in the classroom ensures each child's physical and emotional well-being as they navigate this freedom. Additionally, we help the child through any natural consequences that might arise as a result of the choices the child has made. The prepared adult also provides some general guidelines that can further help liberate the child towards freedom of choice. Some of the rules of my classroom are listed below.
Rules
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Keep everything and everyone safe
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Wash your hands: first thing in the morning, before eating, and after using the toilet or blowing your nose.
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Speak with kindness from your heart.
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Walk with careful feet