Benedict's Montessori Experience

Now that Benedict is going through Montessori, I must say that I should have signed Augustine up for Montessori when he was younger. The Montessori does not focus so much on linguistic and numeracy development, like the Shichida or the Rightmind programmes that Augustine went through, but it focuses on self discipline and self-care.

All the children are required to do self-directed work, be it having snacks, playing with Montessori toys, or simple handicrafts, or even simple household chores. But every child has to follow certain groundrules, such as taking turns, washing hands the moment they arrive and before they take their snacks, putting their hands behind their backs as they move from the classroom to the playground and queue up in an orderly manner, only working on their mats and keeping one item before they embark on another one. This really instils self directed discipline, and this carries over at home. And the children were allowed to handle delicate things like glass and vases and flowers and animals, just like adults, so they learn to be gentle with things. So Benedict can handle delicate things much better at 20 months, like a real steel fork, and pour water from a glass jug, than Augustine at 30 months. And he is better at putting away things and keeping things in their rightful place too.

If only Augustine learnt all these when he was younger! Then I would probably have an easier time disciplining him now. Alas, I wasn't around for him when he was younger to explore the possibilities of Montessori education. I just hope that Benedict will stick to the good habits he learnt at Montessori, and not follow his big brother's (sometimes) bad example.

Sweet Child(ren) of Mine

Haven't updated my blog in a while...but for the sake of remembrance, I have to start recording stuff before pregnancy amnesia or old age completely obliviate my sweet memories of my children's childhood...

So lets start with Augustine...he was really sweet to his classmates recently. He made it a point to wait for the last girl in class to meet up with her caregiver before he comes home with me. And he helped the last girl put away her shoes on the shoe rack because he thinks that she was being too slow. :) To think that I have to tell HIM to put away his shoes when he reaches home! And he offered to bring candies to the monthly birthday party celebration, because we have lots of candies at home (thanks to the kind aunties who showered him with candies), and it made him so happy to receive so many thanks from his classmates, he radiated a kind of genuine, quiet joy and pride that day, that could have only come with sharing with other people. Oh I am so proud of him.

Benedict is getting more and more outgoing with each passing day. He enjoys playing with and learning from Augustine, and he is picking up much faster than his peers in the IMS playgroup and the Rightmind programme. Even though he lags behind in physical development (he is still between 10-25%tile), and still can't walk very well at 20 months, he is charming everyone he meets with he readiness to make small talk, and his intelligent response. And his smiles...because he had never tasted the sweetness of the only child and the bitterness of being dethroned, his smiles were much more innocent than Augustine's. He smiles just because he is really happy to be around, and not because he wants to gain affection.

And the brothers have really grown to accept each other. Although not a day has passed without some kind of squabbling, but I think their relationship has genuinely improved. Augustine has learnt to speak nicely to Benedict when he wants something from Benedict, and Benedict and kindly obliged. And being the sweet nature child he is, Benedict offers Augustine his toys, and Augustine does nice things for Benedict once in a while, like feeding him...and the next picture is quite a classic one of Augustine helping Benedict wear his shoes...



I feel so priveleged to be able to watch them grow up day by day...now enjoying motherhood in all its simplicity...