The love of the child

Holding Hands

Have you had the privilege of holding a three-year-old's hand? It's amazing. It will probably be sticky, and I need you to not ask why...you don't want to know the answer. But it will also be small. Very small. And it may also squeeze your hand very tight. In that moment there is something you need to keep in mind: The child beside you firmly believes that you will take

care of her. Let that sink in.

  There is a level of seriousness to the work of a Montessorian. We are actively engaged in understanding children as they develop before our eyes, and look for cues that help us be a bridge to the didactic material that will grab their interest and speak to their need. It is both science and art.  It is quite difficult. And it is so much fun!

Our Work (All of us)

The work of the child is the work of becoming: mastering their bodies, their own senses, so that they can interact with the world all the more precisely and gracefully. They will discover the basic building blocks of numeracy, oral and written language, as well as scientific principles at a stage of development when it is absorbed into their very being...the stage of the absorbent mind. The work of the Guide (what many Montessori schools call the teachers in the classrooms) is to create an environment catered to the needs of the child, while being the very hands, feet, and eyes of that environment to direct a child with observation, lessons, and intentional interaction so that each child is provided with what they need to progress to the next phase of their development. The child is not fully conscious that this is what a guide is doing. In fact a child is not fully conscious period! But there are aspects of this Adult that the child will be drawn to, perhaps because of the connection that they have with still another adult; the caregiver in their homes. 

Caregivers are the individuals that the child models themselves after. It is from the parent (or the grandparent, or the uncle, or aunt, etc), who takes care for their physical and emotional needs, that the child learns the tools to do so on their own. The Guide becomes one of those first steps outside of the seminal nurturing relationships to continue the work of helping the child become fully realized. And just as they hold their caregiver's hands, they hold yours, with a similar affection; a similar love. Though it should be said that the primary caregiver has a unique position of being the first and longstanding teacher in the child's life. It is a sacred position. Yet even with this in mind, it is the duty of all of us to do well by these children. 

The truth of things

In my work I know very well that I am black man. (It's fairly obvious to others too.) I know that it is likely that many of these children will go to better universities than I went to and have more opportunities than I ever had. This is not only because they are in a Montessori school, but because most of them live in homes that allow them to go to a school at 3 years old (or younger) for $30,000 (or more) a year. That was not my reality growing up. But they don't know that. And while they cling to my hand when we walk to the park and rush to say good morning  giving me the biggest hug, it's likely that their notice of my differing skin tone to their own, is equated to the difference in shoes that they wore compared to their friend's (unicorns rather than Paw Patrol). They see it, but not what it means in society. The hope is they never will. When they see me modeling how to talk about their feelings, they are hearing it from a man. All of this has an effect. All of this is during the unique period of the Absorbent Mind, leaving impressions.

Such a Gift

I praise God that I found this career. It has made me a better person in numerous ways. But I hope to give far more than I receive. Because working with children provides a unique opportunity to be part of a future that comes long after I am gone.  That future has the potential to be filled with greater hopes and realities than this present world. Most of it depends on them to forge ahead into adulthood. And for a small and special amount of time, it will be up to me...to hold their hand and to know how and when to let go.