Does anyone have any insight for me? I just took over a class of 15 toddlers in a montessori school that had a 3-6 teacher trained online for 3 years. THe children have been working in a "mini primary class" and I have removed most of those works and a few shelves to make it look more like the AMS toddler training showed me. THe children are adjusting they do well for the forst hour of work, however there are about 4-5 children who are always taking others work or hitting others or the wall or running through the room. I ususally first redirect then if that doesnt work i have them sit out for about 2 minutes and ask them to stop and choose their own work. I am hoping after about 2 weeks this will mostlhy stop, however I have one child who always throws himself to the floor and thrashes around the minute anyone tries to discipline or talk with him then when you sit him out or in a chair he runs off. It takes 3 teachers in the room just to keep watch of him. The more he acts out the rowdier the other 4 get. TOday when this took place I had everyone come to the rug and taught them 3 new songs and worked on vocabulary which seemed to work well then I invited them to choose their own work and use their walking feet in the class. I was excited because one boy who never sits on the rug sat the entire time, small victory but a victory at that. I must say that I am becoming discouraged at this though these children just seem to be a little out of control. Does anyone have any ideas on the time period or suggestions on working with the ones who just contiue to take others work and wont sit for the 2 minutes. I have done this for 8 years but usually with only 11 students so this is a littl overwhelming. Thanks
Although I am not Montessori trained, I do have a few comments. The behaviors you are describing are typical of toddlers. A teacher just needs to incorporate this type of behaviour into the lesson plan. I have found it difficult to keep toddlers focused on one activity for long. To make my toddler room work, I would provide the learning activity, and allow the toddler to work as long as s/he wanted. When done, I allowed the child to choose to play in the interest areas.
The way we handle situations like this at my school is to ask the child if they would like it if their friend hit them to get a toy etc from them. Then have them and the child that they hit hug , and teach the whole class that if some one does something to them that they dont like to say "I DON'T LIKE IT". Explain to them that when a friend saya that, that that friend doesnt like that they are tryin to take that toy away but that they can use it after that friend is finished. Have the child that had the toy first give it to youwhen they are done. If that doesnt work ask them if you would like to be away from the group usually that'll straighten them up. Sabrina
Usually what I do with my children is to show that what they did made that child upset and have them ask that child if they can give them a hug to help them feel better. If the child continues to push, take toys, or hit then I ask them if they would like to sit in a chair at the table and be done with playing or choose to be nice to our classmates. Almost everytime they choose to make be nice, however even when they have to go to the table it doesn't take more then 2-3 times before they get the idea. I have one girl who every time I give her this choice she atomaticly stops gives a hug. This is really amazing because my class is only 1yr. olds.
Hi All, I am a Montessori toddler teacher in Ithaca New York. I am a 3-6 and Toddler trained teacher. I would love to start a group just for toddler teachers. Hope to hear from you all soon. HP
Advice for Carrie I must say......I think the first point si that your class is way too big. You shoudl have no more than 11-12 in a classroom. Our state does not allow more than 12. Some suggestions. I would consider making circle optional, and having an assistant shadow the children that are causing the problem.Four is a large number, but maybe choose one you feel has the most issues and have the assistant with him/her all the time. I have to do this in my classroom sometimes, and it works wel Being sure that the children have enough outdoor time is also a good thing to think about. My class has about an Hour and 15 min work cycle in the morning. The morning is started outside and ended outside. That helps for very active children. My last suggestion is to take a look at your PL area. Perhaps think about expanding it. On crazy days, get out a table scrubbing work with lots of sponges, scrubbers and let the busy ones go to town! Toddlers love nothing more than to clean! Hope this helps. My email is holley.padula with a gmail.com after it if you want more! Cheers! HP
