GTMS Life > Blog May 5, 2023

TADM April 2023

“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” Dr. Maria Montessori

False fatigue

What is it? Simply put, a brain break

In the primary (3-6) classroom the work cycle consists of three hours, whereas the toddler environment experiences a shorter work cycle of about two hours. For the first hour of our day children are arriving, settling in, greeting and observing each other before going on to choose a work, most often selecting work they already know. Around 10am is when we start to notice a ‘dip,’ otherwise known as false fatigue.

The classroom may begin to seem unsettled. Children are choosing to use the bathroom, get a snack, or seeking opportunities to be social. It is important as the Montessori guide to allow for this to happen, observe/take notes, and only intervene when a child may hurt themselves, another child or the environment because after the false fatigue is when we notice children delve into their deepest work.

Simone Davies, of the blog The Montessori Notebook, asks families some great questions regarding false fatigue in the home.

Do you see something similar happen in your home?
Do you observe, rather than intervene, during false fatigue?
Does this happen at other times of day too?

Cooking in TADM

With the changing of the seasons also comes an increase in appetite. Recently, we have started cooking together in the afternoon. Some of the recipes your children have been enjoying lately are English muffin pizzas, guacamole, and baked oatmeal. Please enjoy these photos of your children preparing and enjoying their culinary creations.

The children have also started to make suggestions for our weekly grocery orders (morning snack/afternoon snack and a cooking or baking project). This makes for great conversation and an opportunity to discuss what makes a balanced diet.