Montessori isn't just about academics. It's a way of life. Children in Montessori classrooms learn things beyond math and reading. They learn how to take care of themselves, each other, and their environment.
Table Scrubbing:
This activity is very simple, yet it teaches the child something that will stick with them for the rest of their lives; the importance of taking care of their environment. Get a bin, and fill it with at least a bar of soap, sponge, and a sturdy brush. Demonstrate the correct way to scrub a table using a big circular motion. I was taught to wipe from left to right (this is the direction of the eye when reading, with the exception of some countries). You'd be surprised how children respond to this activity. It's like they are meditating and in the zone. They really seem to enjoy it! Try it out!
6 comments:
This is an exercise that lives permantly on our shelves at school. Visitors are always amazed when a table is suddenly and spontaneously cleaned by a 4 year old. Sometimes the table even needs it!!!! Sometimes the chairs, floor and walls get cleaned too! Sometimes there is a line of children waiting to clean the same table!!!! I LOVE it!
Great idea. Will aim to set up in the new year. Thanks for that. (:
I love this idea! We have 3 toddler-sized tables, and I've had my girl wipe them off after playing/eating. She loves it - will be fun to make it an intentional learning exercise...
Table scrubbing is a huge hit in my classroom - actually, any kind of scrubbing is. Don't you just love seeing concentration in action?!
Who would of thought that a child would enjoy scrubbing a table as much as they do? I know as an adult, I detest cleaning! Even those this activity is simple, it really teaches a child a lot!
Is that a piece of material/mat in the container you put on the table for them to clean? Or a cloth for wiping down after? Thanks.
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