livingmontessorinow

Welcome to the March Carnival of Natural Parenting: Natural Parenting Top 10 Lists

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared Top 10 lists on a wide variety of aspects of attachment parenting and natural living. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

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Here are my top 10 Montessori principles that can be used whether or not you own traditional Montessori materials. These principles are relevant for any preschooler. To me, they fit with natural learning because they meet young children’s natural needs without requiring a specific material.

1. Follow the child. The. Most. Important. Principle. For any age. Individualize learning for your unique child’s needs and interests. In Montessori, this is done by observing your child to see what your child’s needs and interests are and by respecting – honoring – those needs and interests.

2. Respect and encourage your child’s absorbent mind and sensitive periods.

3. Allow your child the freedom to explore indoors and outdoors – as long as your child is safe and using the freedom in a positive manner. Independence and self-directed learning are important concepts/goals of Montessori education.

4. Give your child as many opportunities for hands-on learning as possible. It’s important that your preschooler has concrete, hands-on experiences before learning abstract concepts.

5. Emphasize practical life and sensorial activities in the preschool years. Practical life activities for care of self, care of the environment, control of movement, and grace and courtesy help your child develop order, concentration, coordination, and independence. Activities to refine the senses give indirect preparation for later academic learning.

6. Provide child-size materials (and real child-size tools) wherever possible. Place materials on trays on low shelves, allowing your child the opportunity to choose his or her own work and to repeat activities as often as needed.

7. Don’t interrupt your child’s work cycle. Let your child develop an ever-increasing ability to concentrate. Competition, tests, rewards, and punishments aren’t necessary. Your child will develop a sense of satisfaction over work well done.

8. Make your child’s environment as orderly and attractive as possible. An orderly environment assists your child in developing mental order and intelligence.

9. Demonstrate how to do an activity. Don’t expect your child to automatically know how to do something or to know the appropriate behavior without having it demonstrated first.

10. When you offer an activity, check that one quality is isolated (for example, it helps if only the color – and not the shape – varies if you’re introducing your child to colors), and there is a control of error (instant feedback built into the activity) whenever possible.

If you follow Montessori principles, you will help your child naturally develop many positive skills and traits that provide a strong foundation in life – skills and traits such as independence, self-discipline, and love of learning.

UPDATE: To take the next step, please read How to Start Using Montessori at Home.

Photo Credits: Thank you to the families who have so kindly shared ways they apply Montessori principles in their homes through Cynthia Dyer/The Montessori Child at Home.

How have you observed Montessori principles at work in your child’s life?

(CNN) -- When Peggielene Bartels went to bed on a summer night in 2008, she was an ordinary administrative assistant living in a modest one-bedroom condo just outside Washington D.C.

But a few hours later, when a persistent ringing phone woke her up in the dead of the August night, the 55-year-old found out she was much more than simply a secretary.

At the other end of the line was Bartels's cousin, from Otuam, a small fishing village on the coast of Ghana. Excited and humble, he congratulated her on being the new king of Otuam.

"I said, 'listen, it's 4 o'clock in the morning in the U.S., I am very tired, let me sleep,'" remembers Bartels. "I thought he was trying to really play games with me."

But this was no time for games.

The previous king of Otuam, who was Bartels's uncle, had just died. The village elders, who remembered Bartels from the times she'd visited with her mother, had decided to anoint her as their new ruler.

Watch video: King Peggy shows off her crowns

After the initial shock, Bartels decided to accept the kingship. Over the course of a few days, she went from being plain old Peggielene Bartels, who had worked for nearly three decades at the Ghanaian Embassy in the United States, to becoming King Peggy -- the first female king of Otuam, reigning over approximately 7,000 people.

"It never ever occurred to me [that I'd be Otuam's king]," says Bartels, who's been living in the United States since her early 20s. "I realized that on this earth, we all have a calling. We have to be ready to accept it because helping my people has really helped me a lot to know that I can really touch their lives," she adds. "I would have really regretted it if I hadn't really accept this calling."

Although she still works at the Ghanaian Embassy, Bartels uses all her holiday every year to spend a month in Otuam.

King is the traditional title of Otuam's ruler, and Bartels says she's happy to be called a king, rather than queen, because it means she can achieve more.

"Most of the time, a king is the one who has all the executive power to do things, while the queen is mostly in charge of the children's affairs and reporting to the king," she says. "So I really love this."

Read more: The Lady King of Otuam

King Peggy was born in Takoradi, southern Ghana, in 1953. She studied in England before moving to the United States, where she became an American citizen in 1997.

But after inheriting the throne, Bartels has been living two very different lives in two different continents.

In Washington, her secretarial duties include typing letters, answering phone calls and booking appointments. In her little apartment her life is far removed from the luxuries of her royal roots.

"When I am in the United States I do everything by myself," she explains. "I do my own laundry, I do my own cooking, I do my own driving and I do my own bed when I wake up in the morning."

Read more: Secretary is still the top job for women

But back in Ghana, she stands out as a gold crown-wearing, scepter-holding king who lives in a refurbished palace. Otuam residents usually address her as "Nana" -- an honorary title given to royalty but also to women with grandchildren -- and bow when they see her.

"When I am back home they see me as their king and they want to pamper me," she says.

"They have to cook for me, they have to carry me around and they have to protect me from people. They want to do everything for me which I usually refuse ... Sometimes I say to them 'please, don't bow.' I just want them to be free and comfortable so that way we can really address issues."

Story by: David  & Promise

20^th November, 2012

The chiefs and elders of Agona Kwanyako have inaugurated farmers association on Tuesday 20^th of November 2012; in other to foster farming and also to assist improve agriculture in the area and in the country as a whole.

Since farming is the main occupation of people of Agona Kwanyako the in central region this association is to enable the people to improve and maintain productivity in agriculture in the area, focusing on the theme “To Encourage the Youth to Enter into Agriculture.” Present at the occasion were dignitaries from major stake holders and some government representatives. Mrs. Afia Nyantakyi, who was the chairperson for the occasion encouraged all and sundry to support this great cause since -”every food we eat primarily comes from the farmer.” In a speech, Mr. Kwesi DaCosta Vroom who was a guest speaker at the programme indicated that-”commercial Agriculture and the use of technology is wave of the future of the farming industry in Ghana and it is most lucrative” and that “Agriculture is good business” he added.

In an interview with the chief, Nana Asarepenin (IV) Amankrado of Agona Kwanyako , he expressed his willingness to assist the farmers and potential investors who may like to undertake any agric business in the area. Other participants also expressed their hopes and aspirations concerning the association; stating that it has really motivated them to take agriculture to the highest level.

Climaxing the occasion was a play performance from a children group with the title “The role of a farmer.” Donations were made by some of the invited guests to seed the impressive farmers Association -------“Okuafo-if we are not there, the nation is not there!”

1. Get a good night's sleep. Students should get at leastnine hours of sleep each night. However, it's hard to maintain those good sleep habits. Set a bedtime routine, and go to bed at the same hour each night. Your mind will not be able to concentrate if it's not rested...it needs a break!

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2. Eat a healthy breakfast. Although this may seem irrelevant to focusing during class, eating a nutritious meal in the morning gives you fresh energy for the day. Remember: a healthy breakfast does not just mean a big breakfast. Two simple slices of toast, fresh orange juice (with pulp, if possible) and a nice serving of hard boiled egg is an example of a good breakfast. If you consume a meal such as this, you'll feel more energized and less groggy throughout the day- paying attention will be efficiently easier.

3. Avoid sitting with friends. Although the urge to sit with your buddies may be awfully appealing, try your best to avoid the temptation. Chatting with friends is not going to give you the focus you need to stay on top of the class. This will not only get you trouble, but lower your concentration rate for the class altogether. If you feel the urge to speak with a fellow classmate, yet are seated in an assigned location, talk to your teacher about getting your seat moved (some will just say that you should control yourself). However, let the friend know (outside of class!) that this is not meant to insult them- you just need to focus.

1. Rid yourself of any other distractions. Some of us get distracted very easily- and that's perfectly OK. The problem evolves when distractions keep us from learning. Is that water bottle catching all your attention? Immediately remove it from your desk. How about that gum you're chewing? Throw it out and start taking notes. Eliminate these distractions (even if you don't want to) and you'll soon find your attention immediately going to the teacher each class.
2. Look at the teacher, and make eye contact. Your teacher is not just standing up there babbling- they're obviously trying to give you an acceptable education. Show them that they have your full attention, by looking them in the eye, and observing their movements. Try your best to look alert. If you feel your eyes averting to something else in the room, catch yourself and focus back on your teacher. This person should have your full attention at all times during class. Your eyes should not be drifting elsewhere.
3. Know your objective. Most teachers tell you the subject of the class, in the beginning. If possible, write down this objective the minute you hear it. What is it that needs to be done today? What will you be learning about? How can you remain alert and focused during this time? Set goals for yourself, and remind yourself of the objective throughout class. This way, you know exactly what you have to do.
4. Take notes. By taking accurate notes, you'll be able to "get into" the lesson. Recognize key points as your teacher speaks, and listen for key phrases such as, "This is important," "This is the main idea," "This will be on the test," etc. This can help you listen more intently; you'll have something to do and focus on.
5. Get involved in class discussions. This is a wonderful way to become a more focused, successful student. When a teacher asks a question, offer to answer it. If she/he asks for an opinion, share your own. This shows that the teacher that you're listening intently during the class and that you know your stuff. This can also help you avoid those embarrassing moments, when you get called on and you happen to not be paying attention. Also, teachers will note to college officers that you are actively contributing in class.
6. Ask a question. If you don't understand something, NEVER be afraid to ask. This really shows your teacher that you want to be better, and can recognize the things you're having difficulty with. Chances are, someone else in the class has the same question (and was too afraid to ask!). They'll be relieved- and so will you.
7. Do your best. When you walk into that classroom, put a smile on your face and some confidence in your pocket. Be the best that you can be at all times, and show your true potential!
8. Visualise Your Future. Before you go to bed at night be sure to use your childhood gift of imagination and think about where you see yourself in the future, and about how likely you will be able to achieve that dream without having sufficient focusing skills, if your dream isn't academic based like sports and music etc. You still need good focus skills to be a footballer so don’t put it off your list!Dont get distracted at school.Be a smart person,do the right things.

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