Guidelines

A Montessori community is a society of children which, like all societies, functions best when clear, yet fair guidelines for acceptable behavior are established. As with adults, boundaries provide the child with the structured support system which is essential to healthy growth.

However, in setting guidelines, it is a mistake to think that a child’s will needs to be broken before he can obey. Freedom and discipline can coexist. Nature offers interior guidance for the development of a total social consciousness and self-discipline comes with age. In the very young child, these can only evolve in an environment which provides the right mixture of freedom and order. Will and obedience go hand in hand, as do freedom and responsibility, but they are born of guidance.

We provide the child the setting to stimulate his own development of the intricate and subtle art of initiating and responding to social interaction. Love and guidance are the two most important jobs of the parent and of the educator. Over leniency is mistaken often for love and leaves a child with nothing to go by. It places on the child burdens he is unable to carry when deprived of a framework of standards for his behavior.

True inner discipline in the child comes not only from adult love and guidance, but from adult respect for the child and his needs. The adult too has a responsibility toward this society of children. He must also follow a set of standards developed to best aid the child in his quest for self-control. These standards must extend into all aspects of the child’s life, including the home.

We ask that you take this opportunity to acquaint yourself with the following guidelines, which are designed to support the participation of the child, the observer and the parent, both in the Montessori community and in the home. When reading each guideline, please stop and consider the needs of the child. Remember, we are giants in the natural environment of the child, whose voices thunder, and whose towering bodies impose upon his world.

Grace and Courtesy Procedures

The Bell
A respectful way of addressing a group in giving information, directions and gaining a quiet atmosphere.

Carrying Work
Demonstrates the proper technique for choosing work, carrying work and returning work to proper area. This includes all materials, equipment or materials that are used.

Pushing in Chairs
To ensure the safety and care of the environment, children learn to carefully sit in chairs and push them in when not in use. We learn that other furniture has proper use and to use it properly. (tables, rugs, sinks, shelves)

Acknowledge PersonalSpace and Belongings
Increases awareness of other’s feelings and respect for each other’s space, work and belongings.

Getting the Attention of Others
Respectfully we walk towards someone when we need to speak to them, we wait to make sure we are not interrupting and gently tap to extend our request to speak with them.

Sitting on line
Demonstrates skills for group lessons, participating in group presentation, dismissing for activities, listening to others, requesting information and enjoying others.

Restoring Work
Preparing work and environment for others. As work or task is finished, getting it ready so others will have the same opportunity.