" Everything you say to your child is absorbed, catalogued and remembered."
DR. MARIA MONTESSORI
What is it that you say? In the Montessori classroom, you will hear phrases found nowhere else. The adults speak directly to the child and speak in the positive. As the adult, it can take some training to speak in a way that the child hears what you want to have happen instead of what not to do. We say things like:
- "Please walk."
- "Coats belong on our hooks."
- "We sit when we work at a table."
- "We speak quietly inside; yelling is for outdoors."
- "Could you soften your voice?"
- "Use a gentle touch."
- "I'm ready for you to..."
The child hears what action you are wanting to see not the other way around. This also lends for a more peaceful environment as children begin to speak this way to one another. There also isn't a lot of asking. We are direct in letting the child know what needs to be done. Give it a try at home. You will find there's less arguing and the conversation much more positive.
