Tadpoles prepare for reading and writing: Chair scrubbing

How does scrubbing a chair develop skills for reading and writing?

This may seem like a strange question.  However, in our Montessori Tadpole playgroup,  we have this activity set up as a prepared environment specifically with this purpose in mind.

The Tadpoles are armed with a small bucket, round scrub brush, sponge and a drying mitt/cloth. The child is shown how to fill the bucket with water add some detergent, then using the scrub brush, he/she learns to make small anti-clockwise circle motions from top/back left of chair over to the right side. Then, they move a little lower, to the next “line”. Once the chair is ‘scrubbed’,  the Tadpole student is then shown how wipe left to right with the sponge, then how to squeeze out the water.  This helps to build-up hand strength. Once most of the water is removed, it’s time to dry the chair in the same fashion.

In this one activity the child is developing so many parts of the body as well as training their brains to focus for longer.

This is a great example of a prepared Montessori environment that accelerates learning.

Well done Tadpoles!

A visit to the garden to see the plants and the chook-house is always enjoyed by our Tadpoles.  They learn with curiousity and delight as the CMS outdoors brings them wonder and deeper connections with their amazing world.  They learn to care for our living things by planting and watering, and their growing independence brings the confidence in themselves and their environment.

Well done Tadpoles!

Our young Tadpole learners love developing their skills and sharing these with others.  Construction of learning takes many aspects and making tea is just one preferred activity for our younger community members to enjoy and focus their skills. They certainly have some wonderful discussions!

Exploration and enjoyment are key attributes to motivated learning.

The Tadpoles’ programme is an environment for parents and children to work with a Montessori guide, who uses the prepared space to facilitate the child’s interactions. When immersed in this setting, parents learn about the Montessori Method and how to use this knowledge to follow their own child’s development.

One of the most important parts of the Montessori classroom at any age is the prepared environment, which in the Toddler age group requires six elements for success. These are strategically planned across the classroom and take into account that your child needs freedom to explore the environment, order and structure, a connection to the real world, beauty in the surrounds, carefully designed Montessori materials and a sense of community.

Furthermore, the classroom is the child’s space and as adults we are guests within it and need to show that respectfully to our children.

The different areas in our Tadpoles classroom include:

• A space for the Care of Belongings to develop a sense of ownership:
• A space for the Care of Self to develop their own autonomy
• A space for Practical life tasks
• A rich Language environment to develop ever expanding vocabulary
• A space for Movement to develop gross and fine motor skills
• A space for Sensorial Exercises to capitalise on the need to concretely form sensory impressions of the world around them
• A space for Culture

Our Tadpoles develop their concentration skills by immersing themselves in the activities in each of these environments and we are constantly surprised by the intensity of their effort and how they strive for independence.

If you would like to know more about our Toddler program, please visit our Enrolment Process page and contact our office on : school.secretary@cms.qld.edu.au.

Karmara is the Tadpoles Teacher (Directress) and also is happy to discuss any questions you may have.