Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/observation--the-path-to-documentation/5017245/
The most challenging behavior change I had to face as a preschool Montessori teacher was to learn the art, spirit, and attitude of observation. The result of that moved me, contrary to my style of teaching, into a mode of listening to children.My years as an elementary teacher developed my natural style of “night club act” or “on stage persona.” After completing my Montessori training I entered the classroom anew with the challenge of observing children involved in their own learning cycle in the classroom. Just sitting quietly and observing children in lieu of directing and teaching all activities was a huge shift. I know you are smiling and wondering when I found the luxury of quiet observation �" it doesn’t exist much in the Infant, Toddler, and Preschool classrooms in any school. Our tasks as teachers pull us into the activity of care giving and the interactive relationships with the children in our care. Montessori talked about the “spirit of observation” which is a little closer to the reality of our lives as educators. Keeping your eyes and ears open to the children around you and maintaining an objective view of the learning while in the midst of the classroom ...