Application and observations during child care. Her is a question asked in my Montessori Group with some answers as well as mine. This was a problem area for me for some time too. Question: The young child / putting things away when they are finished
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone would be so kind as to share their approach
to having young children put away their work / toys as they finish. We
have been using a Montessori approach for quite a while and can
definitely see the results but naturally my sons aren't always
consistent (please bear in mind that they are 2 1/4 and 4 1/2).
For example, a child is working on a mat / playing with a toy but then
gets up and leaves without packing it away. By the time you realise
what has happened & find the child they are involved in something
else. Do you quietly ask them to go & pack away their last toy/work
(but in turn interrupt them from their new endeavour), or wait until
later (in which case it may be sitting on the kitchen floor for a long
time) or put it away yourself & model the putting away with them again
another time? I am wondering about this within a home environment.
Many thanks in advance :)
Answer #1: I always try to maintain the rule that whoever takes something out, puts it
away. When my chilren were little, I tried to stay aware of their activities and
remind them to put away their activity - if neessary before they took something
else out. But when that was impossible, I would let them finish with the second
thing and then be sure they put the first things away. So the first thing might
be sitting out for some time, but usually not more than a hour or so.
Hope this helps,
Answer #2
Part of the cycle of activity (doing a work) is putting it away before choosing
something else. When you show the activity to the child it should include taking
a rug. Choosing a safe place to put it, smoothing it out and then selecting an
activity. You can ask them to come and get you when they finish the work if they
want to take over during the presentation but you should show them at that time
how to put the work away and roll up the rug or use it for another activity.
Answer #3
Hi Dear,
i think you should ask them put that toy away first then play this new game,
like this they will know if they dont put away the first toy they are not allow
to play with another one, like this from very young age you can develop inner
discipline.
Answer #4
Hi, I have sometimes said, "You know, if you'll please put away the [other work],
I'll save -this- work for you, here." And sometimes, "If you'd like me to help you put away the [other work], I can
help you right now."
Hope this might help,