learning together in the company of children · absorbent mind . montessori ideas (and ideals)...

JOSH THOMPSON, PH.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ECE

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-COMMERCE

AMS E1 DMTEP 1983

FATHER OF 4, ‘BILLY’ TO 10, HUSBAND OF 1

Learning together in the company of children

Bring a child to mind

for the sake of this keynote, keep that child in mind

JAKE! (not his real name)

Something about this kid: AGE: Just over 31 months old, 2½ yr old toddler RELATION/CONNECTION: Grandson STRIKING FEATURE: LANGUAGE! along with

phenomenal focus and concentration, ceaseless energy, tenderest compassion

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN0uwymXPtR68JgW4QQEj2hXihzazIxshEQQby1

Bring a child to mind

Tell a neighbor about the child you have in mind. • Share a name (pseudonyms only, please) • Connection to you • A striking feature – why you thought of this child

Montessori quotes

“We permit the child to select the position which he finds most comfortable. He can make himself comfortable as well as seat himself in his own place. And this freedom is not only an external sign of liberty, but a means of education. Through such furnishing, the child has learned to command his movements.”

The Montessori Method (1912/1964)

Role of the teacher

“We must help the child to act for himself, will for himself, think for himself; this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit.”

Education for a New World (1946)

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Highly organized sets of self-help material Spontaneous activity Auto-education Absorbent mind Planes of development Prepared environment Three-period lesson

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Highly organized sets of self-help material

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Spontaneous activity

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Auto-education

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Absorbent mind

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Planes of development

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Prepared environment “Now the adult himself is part of the child's environment; the adult must adjust himself to the child's needs if he is not to be a hindrance to him and if he is not to substitute himself for the child in the activities essential to growth and development."

The Secret of Childhood (1936)

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Three-period lesson

Montessori ideas (and ideals)

Learning together in the company of children

"SHE MUST ACQUIRE A MORAL ALERTNESS WHICH HAS NOT HITHERTO BEEN DEMANDED BY ANY OTHER SYSTEM, AND THIS IS REVEALED IN HER TRANQUILITY, PATIENCE, CHARITY, AND HUMILITY. NOT WORDS, BUT VIRTUES, ARE HER MAIN QUALIFICATIONS.”

THE DISCOVERY OF THE CHILD (1909)

Learning together in the company of children

W W W . F A C E B O O K . C O M / D A L L A S M O N T E S S O R I T E A C H E R E D U C A T I O NP R O G R A M 1 0 1 /

W W W . F A C E B O O K . C O M / P H O T O . P H P ? F B I D = 1 0 2 1 0 7 3 3 7 6 7 2 5 1 2 3 5 & S ET = A . 1 0 2 1 0 7 3 3 7 6 6 9 3 1 2 2 7 . 1 0 7 3 7 4 1 8 2 7 . 1 5 6 1 1 0 7 0 5 4 & T Y P E = 3 & T H E A T E

R

W W W . F A C E B O O K . C O M / M Y R A . A R N O L D . 9 6 / M E D I A _ S E T ? S E T = A . 1 0 21 0 7 3 3 7 6 6 9 3 1 2 2 7 . 1 0 7 3 7 4 1 8 2 7 . 1 5 6 1 1 0 7 0 5 4 & T Y P E = 3 & P N R E F = S T O R Y

H T T P S : / / M O N T E S S O R I L I F E A S W E K N O W I T . F I L E S . W O R D P R E S S . C O

M / 2 0 1 4 / 1 1 / 2 0 1 4 1 1 1 6 _ A R T - T R A Y S - C O L L A G E - H I G H - Q U A L I T Y . J P G

H T T P S : / / P H O T O S . G O O G L E . C O M / P H O T O / A F 1 Q I P N 0 U W Y M X P T R 6 8 JG W 4 Q Q E J 2 H X I H Z A Z I X S H E Q Q B Y 1

Learning together in the company of children

JOSH THOMPSON, PH.D.

JOSH.THOMPSON@TAMUC.EDU @BILLYJOSHTEX

HTTP://FACULTY.TAMUC.EDU/JTHOMPSON/

MONTESSORI

Learning together in the company of children