What are the activities which a child of two-and-a-half, or so, would like to do on his own?
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008They are usually simple activities he sees grown-ups doing around
him-which have an intelligent purpose intelligible to him. They
are generally activities that he can manage to do on his own, if
given suitable material and the necessary guidance. For
instance, activities like dusting and polishing furniture,
sweeping and scrubbing the floor, or watering plants, folding
the garments, or tuning on or off the wireless set, etc. do
fascinate a child of this age. He needs to be independent with
regards to such intelligent yet simple activities. He is urged
from within to make efforts to conquer this independence. He
actually comes to the adults performing such activities and asks
them or appeals to them to let him help them. Many adults
misinterpret this behavior and assume that he is being difficult,
and that he is troubling them! He is told to go out and play as
if he could work at his development only by playing!
If only the child could find the help, namely, the right
material (similar to the material available at the Montessori
House of Children), guidance and freedom, to do the activities he can
perform even at home, he would not come in the way of adults
and in fact, he could make things easier for the adults.
Parents who sometimes struggle to manage their child can in fact
read the book “Take Montessori Home” to help them out. Take
Montessori Home compiles diverse activities for
different age groups of children in which a parent can engage a
child.The activities will enable the child’s development and, at
the same time, make the parent’s life easier.
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