Montessori, M., & Costelloe, M. J. (1972). Introduction, Childhood: A Social-Problem. The secret of childhood (pp. 80-87). New York: Ballantine Books. (Original work published 1966)

Thoughts after reading PART 1: 12. The Hand

“Sometimes very small children in a proper environment develop a skill and exactness in their work that can only surprise us.” (p. 87, para 2)

Children want to touch things. Use of their hands is an important development, essential for human life. Maria reminds us how we use hands to express ourselves, ceremoniously, and for essential human activity. In spite of their importance, many children are told repetitively not to touch certain items and to keep their hands to themselves.

Children are interested in doing what they see the adults doing. They want to be part of their family and participate as others do. Work that may seem mundane to an adult, can be very meaningful to child. Sometimes as parents it is so easy to jump in and do a task quickly, even though the child wants to help. Allowing them the opportunity to carry, to pour, to fold, to wash, or to sweep gives them purpose.

A Montessori classroom provides an environment for which controlled movements can be perfected. You will find that many Montessori students love to help in the kitchen, as they have practiced pouring and cutting exercises at school. A parent may look at a Montessori classroom and ask where the toys are; however, one may not understand that the child finds joy in an environment that they can take care of and which allows them to practice activities they want to do.