The Art of Observation
Observation, a simple word that means more than we can imagine.
Observation is a grand part of the foundation of a Montessori environment and one of the strongest and most helpful and powerful tools a Montessori Guide can have. Through this we can obtain all the information we need to follow the children.
A true observation must be objective and not subjective. What does this mean?
Well, when we are observing objectively we don’t judge by thinking what is happening around us. We concentrate on what is happening in that moment since that is all that is actually happening, nothing else. We can’t observe thinking what is going to happen next. We analyze to learn, and based on the information we obtain through our observations we can plan for the future.
Montessori teachers begin their daily observations mainly focusing on writing what is happening around them. We internalize the sound level of our classrooms, the work rhythm, and much more. Then we focus on each child in particular. What are they wearing, who are they working with, what material are they using; we don’t judge. For instance, instead of writing “Lucy is misusing the number rods.”, we might write, “Lucy is placing the number rods on top of each other instead of next to each other”. Based on my observations I will act by either representing the material to Lucy the next day or perhaps Lucy is ready for the next challenge. As you can see we didn’t judge Lucy, instead we try to find out what is causing the behavior that we are observing.
Parent Observations:
One of the most exciting parts of the year for parents is when the doors of the classroom open for them to come and observe.
Observations and conferences are fast approaching. We would love to invite you to come with an objective mind.
Guidelines
The purpose is not to observe your individual child, rather the environment as a whole. Each day, the children work, uninterrupted. Twenty minutes is a snapshot of the children’s experience.
Your job will be to silently sit on the same chair for twenty minutes, take a deep breath, and enjoy. Let the environment talk to you. Count how many children are in the classroom. You will be amazed of how they seem to “float” around using their soft voices and quiet feet. Observe what kind of things they are working on. You might see children baking, reading, pouring water to different containers, practicing their pencil grip by transferring beans from container to container with a spoon, sitting quietly in the reading chair, giggling with a friend while enjoying snack together, etc. They are all in a different stages.
We can't wait to have you in our classrooms soon!
“Wait while observing.”
Let us wait, and be always ready to share in both the joys and the difficulties which the child experiences…Let us have endless patience with his slow progress, and show enthusiasm and gladness at his successes.
Maria Montessori