Words I'm Learning to Live By

Montessori is all about the exploration of the child, words are somewhat just a necessity, a formality if you will.

Let Your Words Be Few - Ecclesiastes 5:2

I am learning ways to use descriptive language.  What a child "is" is a beautiful, loving, giving, intellectual being.  What a child feels is a different matter. I'm working hard to change my language and realize the difference between the two.  So, throughout the day I am a broken record describing the parts of my body or senses that I'm using or trying to interpret their actions and words. Next time your child is having trouble, instead of using, "John, you are being mean...", try "John, I see that you are using your hands to hurt..." One of the formal terms for it is calling mirroring.  You are mirroring the actions that you see, perhaps correctly or incorrectly.   Below are the most common lines I've been using with my 3-6 year olds.

I see with my eyes that you would like...

I hear with my ears that you would like...

I see that you feel...

In the evening when I'm trying to turn off my guiding brain, I've found myself using it with my spouse, as well.  It has spurred some great conversation, which otherwise could have taken an unhealthy turn.  He's even been known to turn it on me once or twice. :)

Today, at the last day of summer camp, my little budding flowers have begun to fully bloom.  I could see it in their newly curious and descriptive eyes.  I secretly hoped what every teacher hopes, to inspire the unquenchable desire for knowledge, and I think I have begun to succeed.  It was most evident today, when my kids turned my own language on me...

"Children, could you come see me please?"
"Mrs. Dru, we can see you with our eyes from here, would you like us to come walk to you?"

"Mrs. Dru, would you please scratch my vertebrae, it's scratching (itching) me."

"I hear an aplomado falcon with my ears." (Yea, that's what I thought too)


Peace!

Dru