Nurturing the Spirit

In the Montessori world, you will hear many references to “nurture the spirit.” When Montessorians say this, we are not referencing a religion or deity but the core of who a person is. Sonnie McFarland, a lifelong Montessorian and author, tells us, “Spirit refers to the fundamental, positive qualities inherent in all beings, such as love, goodness, honesty, perseverance, courage, integrity, etc.“ As Montessori teachers, we must first undergo intense training and continuous self-development to be spiritually prepared to enter the environment. We must be ready to receive and respond to all children’s behaviors and emotions with love and respect. Only when we are fully prepared are we best able to guide the children. E.M. Standing, Dr. Montessori’s assistant for over 30 years, emphasized, “[The Teacher] must come to see in the soul of the child something so rich and pure, so delicate and precious that it is a privilege to be with it.”

Nurturing the Sense of Wonder

There are many ways to nurture a child’s spirit, one particular way is through the sense of wonder.

”Wonder is an exceeding important stimulus for the human spirit.“

E.M. Standing

Do you remember what it felt like to have a snow day as a child? The magical feeling of looking out the window and watching snow fall from the sky? That feeling, that sense of wonder and awe, is what we wish to harvest in our environment. Some simple ways to accomplish this are through lighting, nature, life, and art.

The Wonder of Light

Lighting has a powerful effect on everyone. We enjoy using lights to create a peaceful ambiance and a feeling of comfort. We also use lighting in ways that feel magical. String lights, lamps, a light table, disco balls, light catchers, lite brites, etc., are fun ways to include lighting in awe-inspiring and functional ways. Functionality comes into play because when inducing a sense of wonder and awe in a child, there is increased calm and relaxation.

The Wonder of Nature

In a Montessori environment, we do our best to bring nature into the classroom. When navigating the room, you may see plants, flowers, and work containing rocks, water, twigs, leaves, dirt, etc. The children assist in caring for the plants and flowers, just as they would Fish. You will also spot a stool for children to climb and observe the weather outside. They love to look out and watch the rain, the wind blowing the trees, the sun shining bright, or the snow falling down. Soon we will be able to go outside for Recess and hopefully have the opportunity to build snow castles and Frosty the snowman!

The Wonder of Life

What is more special than being around animals? One of my favorite moments during the school year is when we visit the baby chicks, and observing the noticeable shift in demeanor when a child holds one. There is an immediate shift from child to nurturer. They gaze at the chick with a slight smile, and their movements become slow and steady. Once the chick goes back into the basket, they look up at you with wide eyes and the biggest smile. What is even more exciting, is having Fish as our classroom pet. The children will sit and watch Fish swim around; some will bring their snacks to his table and eat with him. He brings them peace while also giving them a sense of responsibility, as they are the ones who feed him.

The Wonder of Art

Art allows children to express themselves freely. They do this through coloring, painting, gluing, etc. As the children explore the art materials we begin introducing new ways to approach creating pieces, and let them choose how they wish to do it. Some children want to try a variety of utensils for painting, some create layered designs with stickers, and others gather leaves for collage work. Watching a child fall deep into focus while creating their art piece is so beautiful to witness, and then seeing the expression on their face while reviewing it after completion is priceless.

Celebrations

As a community, we celebrate what makes us unique: each other. Through birthdays and cultural celebrations, the children (adults, too) can learn more about their friends. In December, the environment displayed decor, materials, and colors representing Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa… we did avoid Krampus though!

Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, December 8th, is the day when Buddha found enlightenment. We celebrated by reading books about Buddha, sending good thoughts to others, practicing the silence candle and stillness, taking deep breaths, feeling our heartbeats, talking about ways to help ourselves when upset, and creating Bodhi trees. We even had Rice Congee for lunch that week!

Every day, we send good thoughts to people or animals that might be sick or sad, to others to wish them joy and happiness (perhaps a friend on vacation), or to those who might need some luck (e-a-g-l-e-s).  We sit like the Buddha while at Circle, close our eyes, quiet our bodies, think about who will receive those good thoughts, and then together, we open our eyes and throw those thoughts out the window to those receiving them. Sending good thoughts to others is an endearing practice that encourages the children to think of others outside themselves and is a way to build connections to others.

If there is a holiday that your family celebrates, please let me know!

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday, January 9: Summer Camp information session with Ms. Cherise, 8:30 am – 9:00 am
• Wednesday, January 10: Parent Ed Series presents Preparation for Life with Ms. Desiree and Mr. Patrick, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
• Friday, January 12: School closed for Parent-Child Visits
• Monday, January 15: School closed for MLK Jr. Day
• Tuesday, January 30: Parent Coffee, 8:30 am – 9:00 am

Previous Blogs

• Monarch Community: Helping vs. Hindering (November 2023)
• Monarch Community: Toddler Development & the Importance of Limits and Natural Consequences (October 2023)
• Monarch Community: Setting Your Child Up for Success through Repetition and Routine Building (September 2023)
• Monarch Community: Welcome To The Monarch Community at Greene Towne Montessori School (August 2023)