This year long series looks at the experiences of teachers, parents, students, and Montessori education itself, as we follow a student through his first year at a Montessori Preschool. The Montessori Insights and Reflections of a Preschool Student’s First Year is a collection of useful stories, tips, and information that has arisen from one real student's Montessori journey, viewed through the eyes of his Montessori Teacher, Bree Von Nes.
It is always interesting to see how new students adjust and interact with one another in a new social environment and there is never a dull moment. Some children naturally gravitate to one another while others shy away from their new classmates and want to work by themselves. Age is also a variable with regard to peer interactions as the majority of first year Montessori preschoolers (2 & 3 yrs) are typically not at a point developmentally where they are eager to interact with their peers at a cooperative level.
This is one of the reasons why young preschoolers enjoy the Montessori Practical Life activities so much as they enable the youngest preschoolers to refine their fine motor control while becoming completely absorbed in the various activities. Young Montessori students enjoy working independently and feel so proud of their big work!
There are five main stages of play, and each stage is very much apparent in a Montessori preschool environment.
