Kids are like sponges

2-12-21. N17

Hello, friends of read.cash. I have been a little absent these days, I only had minutes to read some articles and comment, but to sit down to write I have been a bit overwhelmed. In my country, we entered a new normal after a large percentage of the population was immunized, including childrens. The school year has already started and all the medical services that were paralyzed by the pandemic reopened, they were only providing emergency services. That is why I have spent the week taking my son to his medical consultations.

We are also preparing for the start of his school in the month of March, about this I had the idea to address this issue in the following article, especially of interest to mothers and fathers. I am referring to some strategies that we can use at home for our children's learning. In this pandemic, many parents have had to become teachers at home, due to the fact that schools closed. I come to talk about the Montessori teaching method, which I have relied on to guide my son in his early childhood learning. This teaching method has the following characteristics.

• Respect for the individual rhythm of each child

• Freedom of choice

• Freedom of movement

• Learning through experience

• Self-correction

• Promotion of autonomy and independence, both physical and mental

• Preparation of the adult and the environment

This educational method is not only applicable in schools, but it is a philosophy of life that we can bring to the environment of our home and base our way of parenting on it. Without rewards or punishments, let the prize be the feat of having learned something new.

First, little by little we were creating a simple, orderly environment at home, prepared for him and adjusted to his needs, where he could find his meaning in each element. It is said that it should be a spacious and open environment, but let's not limit ourselves by that, whatever space we dedicate to them, they will reward us with a smile. We have to adjust to our possibilities, that this is not an obstacle to start.

Then we were looking for educational toys suitable for their age and the sensory needs necessary for the stage of their cognitive development, as well as to support their rehabilitation therapies. These are scientifically designed toys, although many do not believe it and see in them only a piece of painted wood. They give the child the key to exploring the world, and create basic cognitive skills.

At home, we seek to work on the concentration of our little one, since he constantly changes activities. For this, books with illustrations, drawings, repetitive games are good.

This teaching method tells us, that our role is that of an observer and guide to help and stimulate the child, but we must allow him to make mistakes, to do things himself. An important guideline is a time, each child is different, their learning pace is different. The time is established by the child, we cannot be setting goals in the fulfillment of their tasks, nor do it for them to shorten the period of time. This will allow you to gain confidence.

María Montessori defined that the child passes from infancy to adulthood through 4 evolutionary periods called "Planes of development". When our little ones reach the limit of each one of them, we distinguish a new child with new needs.

• Early childhood (0 to 6 years). Age of consciousness. Unconscious absorbing mind 0-3 years, Conscious absorbing mind 3-6 years.

• Childhood (6 to 12 years). Moral age. Reasoning Mind.

• Adolescence (12 to 18 years). Social age Humanistic Mind.

• Maturity (18 to 24 years). Political Age. Specialist mind.

Thus "as the caterpillar and the butterfly are very different in their appearance and their manifestations and, nevertheless, the beauty of the butterfly is a consequence of its life in the caterpillar state, and cannot come from the imitation of the example of another butterfly To build the future it is necessary to watch over the present. The more we take care of the needs of one period, the more successful the following period will be"(Absorbent Mind, María Montessori, Editorial Diana, 1998, p. 245).

How many times have we heard the expression “Kids are like sponges, they absorb everything”? Indeed, my son is 5 years old, he is on the plane of development called Absorbing Mind, where he absorbs all the aspects, good and bad, of the environment that surrounds him. Do you know what level of development your child is on? I invite you to read this material and it will guide and support you.

At this stage, my son is building his own personal identity adapted to the environment in which he lives and grows up. His personality will be the result of everything that we are able to give him, and let it be clear I am not talking about gifts or anything material.

Knowing the stages of growth allows us to be able to act appropriately to the psychic and physical needs of our children.

Another task that occupies us is his independence in practical life activities, in eating, going to the bathroom, so that despite his physical limitations he can take care of himself, now that we have to leave him alone for the first time, when starting his school year. I know it will be a difficult time for the family, but we will overcome it and that is why we are already preparing.

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See you between the lines.