What is a Montessori Classroom like in the time of COVID-19?
During the coronavirus pandemic, The Glen is working very hard to preserve the in-person Montessori education that we hold so dear. Through limited enrollment, we have been able to maintain physical distancing in the classroom, create pods where one group of students and teachers are together all day (minimizing exposure to large numbers of people) and all students over the age of 2 (and staff members!) wear masks all day. Additionally, in the midst of this world-wide pandemic, about 20% of our students are learning remotely, adding technology into our classrooms, where it has not been emphasized before.
These are the things that are different about in-person Montessori classrooms this year. But otherwise, the work of the child is being accomplished. Children are naturally social creatures, looking to peers and adults to become independent and do everything themselves. In our Glen classrooms, teachers guide students daily, developing and refining an individualized education for each child.
“The objects in our system are, instead, a help to the child himself. He chooses what he wants for his own use, and works with it according to his own needs, tendencies, and special interests. In this way, the objects become a means of growth.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
A typical classroom at The Glen is surprisingly quiet, and children are able to focus intensely on works that build their independence and cognitive development. They are free to move from work to work throughout the day; teachers are trained to assess children through observation and introduce new lessons and opportunities for growth for each individual as they progress.
“But in our specially prepared environments we see them all at once fix themselves upon some task, and then their excited fantasies and their restless movements disappear altogether; a calm, serene child, attached to reality, begins to work out his elevation through work. Normalization has been achieved.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
Being together is when we can focus on peace education and how to get along and be a part of a community. Resolving individual differences, being respectful of our friends, and serving as leaders and followers in the community are typical ways to develop social-emotional learning where children see the value of their contributions. This year, we have the added opportunity to care for each other in the classroom by wearing masks, washing hands, and remembering to remain physically distant when possible.
The faces and classrooms look a little different – instead of freely moving throughout the room, students are encouraged to be a little more cautious and restrained. Special classes—art, music, and Spanish—are being conducted remotely, with the teacher in one room and the students participating in another. Physical education is held outside in our field space. But otherwise, it is business as usual at The Glen Montessori School.
It is our fervent hope that we will remain in-person for as long as possible!
