• Our Foundation
    • About
    • Ways to Give
    • Events Calendar
    • Volunteer
  • Current Parents
    • Bio-Book
    • Parent Information
      • Standards of Ethical Conduct
    • Parent Resource Library
    • Calendar & Events
    • Video Library
    • Snack Guideline
  • View Past Blogs
    • Primary Program
    • Toddler Program
    • Elementary Program
    • MTS News
    • MTCF
  • School Newsletter

Montessori Tides School

  • Home
  • About
    • Montessori Approach
    • School Philosophy
      • Discipline Approach
    • Guides
    • Meet our Teachers
    • Observation Guidelines
  • Programs
    • The Toddler Community (18-36 months)
    • Primary Environment (3-6 years)
    • Early Elementary Years (ages 6-9)
    • After School Programs
      • Fitness and Character Education
      • Celestial Kingdoms of Sounds
    • Nature Study Program
    • Summer Programs
  • Enrollment
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Application
    • Extended Care Program
  • Resources
    • Blog
      • Toddler Program
      • Primary Program
      • Elementary Program
    • Parent Education Series
    • Assistant Training Course
    • Tides Shining Stars
    • Open Forum
    • Video Library
  • Contact
    • Online Map & Directions
You are here: Home / Aiding Your Childs Development / Aiding Your Childs Development: Concentration

December 5, 2011

Aiding Your Childs Development: Concentration

Concentration: The hand and the mind in purposeful activity

kathy_grahamOne of the most calming activities for a child is concentration. This does not include passive, non-participatory concentration such as watching television or watching videos. The action must be something, which is controlled by the child so she can repeat it as often as necessary, and it must challenge her body as well as her mind.

The choice of purposeful activity is not as important as the level of concentration brought forth. Deep concentration can occur while digging in the sand, washing carrots, stringing beads, coloring, or doing a puzzle. The Montessori adult gives lessons, which are well thought out, logical and clear; she creates an environment, which fosters work, and she is always on the lookout for a child beginning to concentrate. When this happens she protects the child from interruption because she understands the place of this experience in creating balance and happiness in the child.

The availability of a special little table at home, which is always cleared off and ready for work, can help the child focus on her work and stick to it until she is finished. It is a natural consequence that, if the work is not put away, the space will not be available for the next activity.

An apron, used for cooking, cleaning, woodworking, gardening, etc., sometimes helps the child concentrate by marking the beginning and the end of a task. It also elevates the importance of the work in the child’s eyes. When a child’s work is seen as important to the family, so is the child. In addition, the apron should be made so that the child can put it on and fasten it by herself; then she can work whenever she wants to. A hook at the child’s level for hanging it on the wall keeps it always ready.

Kathy Graham, founder and director of Montessori Tides School, shares in the video below, the benefits of aiding your child’s concentration when the hand and mind are working together in purposeful activity.

If you are unable to view the embedded video below, click here.

By Kathy Graham / Filed Under: Aiding Your Childs Development, Elementary Years, Montessori Approach, Montessori at Home, Primary Program, Toddler Program Leave a Comment

Keep up with the latest news from Montessori Tides with our newsletter. Sign up with your email address to receive updates about our school.

About Kathy Graham

It was in Chicago, Illinois, where Kathy Graham first experienced a Montessori Classroom. After only a short period of time, through her internship at a local Montessori School, she became increasingly aware of her profound calling as a Montessori Teacher. She knew this was a special place and fell in love with the Montessori Method of Education. Since then, Graham has established herself as a strong advocate of creating beautiful environments inside the school and in her world of life. For over thirty six years now, she continues to conduct herself as an extraordinary model in these ways: a Montessori parent; Montessori Teacher; founder/director of the very first Montessori School in Jacksonville, Florida; mentor; friend; and her newest blessing, grandparent. Graham say’s “Montessori gives a feeling of hope for a better world because of what we give our children, the future leaders of tomorrow.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search Our Website

Join Our Mailing List

Calendar & Events

Parent Testimonials

Parent Testimonials

Location

Montessori Tides School
1550 Penman Road
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Phone: 904-241-1139
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Accreditations

Private School Reviews

Tides Foundation

Recent Posts

  • Lower Elementary Community – December News
  • Last Great Lesson Closes Out Year
  • The Value of Montessori

Montessori Links

  • American Montessori Society
  • Michael Olaf
  • Montessori Foundation
  • Nienhuis Montessori
  • North America Montessori Teachers Association

© 2023 Montessori Tides School | All rights reserved.
Montessori Website Design by NJS Marketing LLC