In the Montessori Classroom, the Silence Game is played to help children develop not only a higher level of self-discipline, but to acclimatize children to the world around them. Many adults and children take for granted the sounds around them. And in our fast paced world, few of us stop to “smell the roses” let alone take the time to quietly listen and reflect.
Montessori Foundation Activities - The Silence Game
Dr. Montessori created the Silence Game while working with children who were partially deaf. She observed that their hearing improved when they were able to listen carefully for sounds. Standing at the back of the room with the children facing away from her, Dr. Montessori quietly called out the name of each child. When the children heard her call their name, they would quietly walk to where she stood.The Silence Game takes practice. Young children and those who are not yet normalized have relatively short attention spans and find it ever so difficult to remain still and quiet for more than 20-30 seconds. With practice, attention spans lengthen and children learn to relax, absorb, and appreciate the world around them.
To play the Silence Game, choose a time when your Montessori students are calm. (Right after recess may not be the best time!) Begin by telling the children you are going to play a game. It’s called the Silence Game. They will need to keep their bodies still and quiet, and not talk. Tell them that they will need to listen very carefully for their name to be called. When they hear it, they are to stand up and walk quietly to the person who calls their name. You may want to tell them that it is okay to close their eyes if it helps them listen more attentively. Then, stand behind the class and softly call the children’s names.
As you begin to call their names, you will notice that the children will walk very quietly and purposefully towards you, not wishing to break the silence of their peers. Make sure you call everyone’s name as this encourages everyone to listen. If a child is having difficulty staying quiet, make sure you call the names of a few quiet children first to encourage them to be quiet.
Later, the Montessori teacher can simply whisper the word “Silence” or ring a soft chime or dim the lights. At first, only a few children may be aware, but soon all of the children will be aware of the quiet spreading through the environment and will adjust their movements and voices in order to experience the silence they create.
The Silence Game can be a part of your daily ritual or one that you play often. It will only serve to heighten the awareness of the children in your Montessori classroom by allowing them to reflect upon the world around them.
Resource: The Secret of Childhood, Dr. Maria Montessori
As much as possible, NAMC’s web blog reflects the Montessori curriculum as provided in its teacher training programs. We realize and respect that Montessori schools are unique and may vary their schedules and offerings in accordance with the needs of their individual communities. We hope that our readers will find our articles useful and inspiring as a contribution to the global Montessori community.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Thursday, August 7, 2008.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Thursday, August 7, 2008.
How far into the school year do you start playing the silence game?
ReplyDeleteWhile it's never to late to start playing the Silence Game, Ithink that this could be included in the latter part of the first week of school. This way, it becomes a part of your classroom culture.
ReplyDeleteCould it be used with Toddlers? What modifications would you recommend?
ReplyDeleteYes. I put a teddy in the middle and ask everyone one to hold hands. Those to add interest and encourage each other. After about 20 second. I call out names for each child to open up their eyes and smile at teddy.
DeleteI also use the Silence Game as an individual activity. We have a special rug and a basket with a 3-minute hourglass and a card that says "Silence". The children love it and they all respect each other's choice to observe silence for a few moments; and sometimes the teachers use it too!
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI, too, have seen other teachers use the Silence Game as an individul activity, usually as part of their Peace curriculum. I'm glad you and your students are enjoying it!
I think you could play this game with toddlers but only after the children have had the opportunity to build up trust in class, are appreciative of routines, rules, and each other, and when the environment is fully prepared. It’s also very important that you do not wait until they become restless before calling their names. To modify this game for toddlers, instead of calling them to come to you, you could just call them by name while in the circle. You could have visuals or objects such as a clock or toy plane etc. to represent feelings or noises they heard. For toddlers, you might also try reading the book Starbright, Moonbeam, and The Inner Garden by Maureen Garth, Harper Collins Publishers.
ReplyDeleteI'm a toddler teacher and we play a version of the Silence Game during our circle time. I have found that having the children lie down helps them to keep their bodies quieter. After everyone is laying down we try to be as "silent" as possible until the teacher says "stop". I usually only do this for 10-30 seconds or so. With one of my groups last year, we made it a full minute before they started to get restless!
ReplyDeleteKristy, thank you for your valuable insight into using the Silence Game with toddlers. Having them lie down is a great way of having them learn to calm their entire bodies.
ReplyDeleteHola! Yo soy una GuÃa Mexicana de Casa de niños , y aunque ahora no trabajo en una escuela Montessori, pongo MUCHO en práctica... El luego del silencio es de nuestros favoritos , de los niños y yo :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you,Gracias! We are delighted to hear that the Silence Game is one of your students' favorites, and that you are having success with it.
ReplyDelete