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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 14 2009 at 8:38pm | IP Logged
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My dc are getting older... I am noticing that ds especially (just turned 7)
is not so interested anymore in the Montessori-ish trays I put out. If a tray takes his fancy, he will work with that one for days, but then he ignores the rest. Dd is also more hit and miss than in the past.
In keeping with the simplicity theme, I am wondering if I can/need to pare down what I am putting out on the trays. I have to admit that it is a lot of work for me to create and rotate trays all the time. I guess I could leave out the ones I know they like and return to often, and then maybe one other tray per week with a specific purpose (vs having out several random ones to go with our theme for the week).
But I can't decide if the time has really come to scale back on that or if i am just being lazy and using this as an excuse to put less effort into the trays. Maybe if there was only one new one out per week it would interest them more...
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Meredith
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| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 10:05am | IP Logged
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Hi Melinda, I will have to say that it's really only my 4yo ds that works with trays anymore. My 7 yo ds doesn't really even pay any attention to the Montessori materials that are out and available cause he's already done them all at this point, so (sadly for me) we have kind of morphed into a different mode for him. It's a really good mode, but just not as Montssori-ish for him.
Many blessings,
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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
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stellamaris
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| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 11:22am | IP Logged
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I have found the same dynamic here. I think if the material is new there is some interest in it for the older children. My 6-yr. old still likes trays, but his older brother would rather do a "project"...kind of like the tray without the tray. A project, in my mind, is a little less structured and more open-ended. I'm thinking he sees the tray presentation as too constrained, babyish, and boring. I do think as they mature they have less need for the concrete presentation and are able to work things out more abstractly. Sometimes, though, we still return to the concrete representation, especially in math.
I think your idea of fewer trays is appropriate given the ages of your children, especially if you are going to a fair amount of work to set them up and then they are only being used briefly. You certainly are not lazy! You just are practical and are seeing what does and does not work for your family at this time. Parenting is like air traffic control...the situation is always changing! Don't be hesitant to change with the needs of your children.
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
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stellamaris wrote:
| I do think as they mature they have less need for the concrete presentation and are able to work things out more abstractly. |
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I agree.
I'm pretty sure that in Maria Montessori's writings, this age (6-12), is moving away from a sensitive period where they *need* these sorts of sensorial explorations (trays), and is moving into a more intellectually aware period. Montessori called this the "Intellectual Period"
From Montessori Today by Paula Polk Lillard:
Quote:
| The children's appetite for knowledge is immense. They are not satisfied with bits and pieces of isolated information: this part to write a report on, that part to memorize and reproduce for a test. They want to grasp the whole of knowledge. Montessori wrote that in this period "All other factors...sink into insignificance beside the importance of feeding the hungry intelligence and opening vast fields of knowledge to eager exploration." |
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I think what you're sensing Melinda is that he's looking more for exploration. I found that to be true with my oldest son. At 9, he does still enjoy some Montessori tray-type work, but he generally prefers open-ended exploring type work now - problem solving, technique building, skill teaching - type projects. This is consistent with Maria Montessori's findings, so it isn't necessarily a departure from what you've been doing with your thoughtfully put together trays, it's just the next step. Anyway, I don't think it's that you're being lazy...more that you're sensing his needs changing...and also simplicity is never a bad thing.
I think it could be a good idea to pare way back, and set out some simple offerings - maybe include one tray of materials that can be explored in an open ended way. Random ideas:
- a science collage tray
- a tray of engineering materials with a book of simple structures to build
- a toothpick and marshmallow tray.
...or put everything away for a bit and just set out a few exploration type building toys.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 2:57pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, ladies! That does make me feel better. I don't mind doing them if the kids will use them, but to make them up and see them unused.... then that gets old. I think I will gracefully let go of the bulk of that and move more into the "project" mode....
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Angel
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| Posted: Dec 15 2009 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
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I also think that elementary aged children are encouraged in traditional Montessori environments to collect what is needed for their study themselves, from different parts of the room. So while everything is still displayed for easy access, it may not be placed neatly together as a thematic tray... if that makes sense. I kind of think of it like my art cabinet. I have all the supplies displayed and I try to put out new supplies from time to time or maybe even to display a project that could be done. The supplies are there for the project, but I don't have "a solar system collage tray" all nicely put together. Instead I have the materials for making a solar system collage out on display in glass jars and whatnot, but the kids have to pull them together in order to work on their project.
So while you might still have "science shelves", "geography shelves", etc., and rotate the materials, you may have to find another way to entice the kids to actually use the materials.
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Angela
Mom to 9, 7 boys and 2 girls
Three Plus Two
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Dec 16 2009 at 1:18am | IP Logged
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I think that as our children age, our trays have to increase in sophistication in order to attract their attention. For an older child it just isn't enough to put out a tray with an activity that focuses on one small skill or concept. They need layered activities with opportunities to inject their own creativity.
For instance--for my dd it is no longer enough to offer a tray full of collage materials, some scissors and glue. That was fine when she was 4 or 5, but now...not so much. However, if I were to set up a tray with a few Klimt prints, some shiny metallic paint and patterned paper so she can make her own mixed media version of "The Kiss" well then...she'd light right up and dive in. Why? Because it calls on her to use both her previous knowledge (of Klimt's work) and her creativity. It is a more sophisticated activity, which makes it more appealing to her current developmental stage.
The same thing goes for science trays. At her age it is time to beef up the magnet trays to include things like iron filings for looking at magnetic fields and wire, nail and batteries for making and experimenting with electromagnets.
These are just a few examples, but my point is that having meatier activities seems to be the thing that holds the older child's longer attention span better. So I agree that fewer trays for older kids is right, because each of those trays will be more complex and so not as many will be needed.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: When do you stop the trays?
