Montessori Monday: Magnets and Letters!

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 A new collection of Magnetic and Non-Magnetic for our house, gathered by the girls.  It's got a little Valentine's theme with the box and the cookie cutter!




Why do I teach them cursive in this world of print, computers, and type?  Dr. Montessori found that cursive had gentle curved lines are a natural extension of the hand.  I tend to be a little 'old school' about Dr. Montessori's writings at my home, and lead my children by her old lectures.  Plus, there are far less letter and sound reversals (b,d,p,q,g) when the child learns the sounds with cursive first, or alongside print letters.  I have found the transition to print very easy for my girls, since they were so very interested in letter formation by the time they had a good amount of time with cursive.  Give it a shot!
"Must one begin with strokes? The logical answer is “No.” These require too much effort on the part of the child to make them. If he is to begin with the stroke, it should be the easiest thing to execute. But, if we note carefully, a straight stroke is the most difficult to make. Only an accomplished writer can fill out a page with regular strokes, whereas a person who is only moderately proficient can cover a page with presentable writing."
(Dr. Maria Montessori, 'The Discovery of the Child', Clio Press Ltd, 193)

Care of Environment:  Polishing and watering our Peace Lily and our budding Amaryllis.  They simply CANNOT wait for this plant to flower, because they know to expect the Part of Flower puzzle, cards, and booklets to come out.  Our Flower Puzzle is this exact flower!  During a New England January, flowers are few and far between.

Shared with: 
 Montessori Monday 






Comments

Lisa Nolan said…
I agree with you on cursive! I will start teaching my son cursive this summer, before he starts 2nd grade. Cursive is ALSO easier for children who have special needs, like my son who has Down syndrome, to learn and to write, and it is also encouraged in many Waldorf elementary schools! I also read about the benefits of teaching cursive in Healing Our Children by Susan R. Johnson MD, FAAP (and who is also Waldorf trained and has a child with "sensory challenges.") I followed you on Pinterest, BTW!
January 31, 2012 at 7:01 PM
Deb Chitwood said…
Great thoughts, Jessie! I also found it helpful that my kids knew cursive when they received letters and cards in cursive writing from their grandparents. Being able to write cursive made it much easier to read cursive! I featured your post at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page.
February 1, 2012 at 7:01 PM
Jen said…
I love that box you use for sand - and what a great idea to have the popsicle stick hold up the letter! (And major kudos for using cursive, of course... if only more Montessori schools would do that!)
February 1, 2012 at 7:23 PM
Cris said…
Hi,
I have just discovered your blog and I really like it. I need more time to explore it in depth. Meanwhile, I'd like to subscribe to it via e-mail, so that I can get the latest posts. I haven't found that option on the blog. Is it possible? My e-mail address is crisvapu@hotmail.com
Thanks
February 5, 2012 at 2:18 PM
Ewa said…
Hi Jessie,
I wonder if any of your readers would like to get to know the Montessori way of teaching a bit better. If so I invite them to enter the giveaway I'm hosting right now!!! One lucky reader will win a FREE ON-LINE MONTESSORI TRAINING PROGRAM +12 MONTESSORI ALBUMS!!. The training program is run by Karen Tyler ;-)
Here is a link to the giveaway:
http://wczesnaedukacjaantkaikuby.blogspot.com/2012/02/win-karen-tylers-montessori-training.html

Blessings for you and your family
Ewa
February 6, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Unknown said…
I am glad that I read this post because this is the best reason I have heard for teaching cursive! And really the best for teaching it at a young age. I have decided on my sandpaper letters now! Thanks and keep the great thoughts coming!
June 28, 2013 at 11:23 AM
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