By Chelsea Howe – Montessori Kid
Have you ever heard the quote, “All I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten?” I’ve seen this quote many times before, and, as most people, I have read it as an innocuous statement of someone’s judgment, dismissing it before ever really appreciating it. But, the other day, in an airport, I came across this statement. Before dismissing it, as I had previously, I actually took a moment to ponder the statement.
What did I learn in kindergarten, and where was I when I was in kindergarten? I was sitting in Patti and Susan’s class on a big taped circle singing, Deep Blue Beluga, taking naps in the afternoon, learning to share my mid-morning snack with other children, learning the art of tying my shoes taught by older children, even building big pink towers in an attempt to master the best plan to make it, successfully, stand taller each and every time. I remember the playground and learning that there are different areas of the playground, divided by different children and different activities; but, there was a collectivism that was shared, in that we were invited and encouraged to participate in all of the groups and all of the activities. But, most of all, I remember Patti and Susan and appreciating that I could go to school every day, be welcomed with a hug, and dismissed back to my parents with a good-bye hug.
Twenty-one years later, I am still in the same place, however, Patti and Susan are not my teachers, but they are represented in any “authority” figures I meet, as they do not need to be feared, but can be appreciated. I still know how to share, and to appreciate the diversity that life offers. I recognize the gifts that people bring in their everyday personalities that allow me to learn from them—whether it’s in teaching me how to tie my shoes (which I’m proud to say I’ve mastered), or in sharing with me something that’s totally unique to them. I have always internalized the desire to respect diversity not only in backgrounds, but in perspective as well. And, I appreciate that I am immersed in various different backgrounds equally, as I can learn and share with all, rather than be limited in my associations.
I am in graduate school for psychology, with one year left in this program. Many ask the scary question of: “What will you do when you’re done?” But, I know the answer to this question, “I will go on. I will learn more. I will go to more school to achieve enough education that I can be and do what I want to in this world.” It may be a lawyer, a writer, a psychologist, even a television personality – but, I respect that there is more for me to discover in myself for now. I take comfort that my education and my experience will help lead the way.
Montessori provided me with the wonderful gift of appreciating learning—not just from books, but learning from within. It fostered in me the independence, the drive to excel and succeed in all that I do, and most importantly, the love and appreciation I have for myself in that I was taught to celebrate who I am and use my potentials as my very gifts in my everyday experience.
I can honestly say that I have so much curiosity for life because I was given the opportunity from a very young age, to question why things happen the way they do. I was given the luxury to learn at my own pace, though still covering all of the material, to further excel and master the things that were more fitting to me. Essentially, I have carried that Montessori experience with me through all of these years—learning all that is required of me, but really focusing on the most salient and stimulating things that are unique to me. My education, therefore, is not restricted to the classroom or books, but is omnipresent in all facets of life.
I am aware of how fortunate I am to be where I am and to have accomplished all that I have in my life. But, in reality, I have to thank my parents for having chosen Montessori. My teachers, however, may have been my greatest asset for opening the doors of exploration, encouraging me to be confident in myself, and to have courage to learn, on so many levels, what life is about. I won’t dismiss that quote anymore, as I once did. I will embrace it, appreciate it, and communicate this with others. If others’ kindergarten experience can be as poignant, comforting, and stimulating as mine, we can make a huge difference in what we, as the next generations, can make of the future. After all, everything I ever needed to know, I really did learn in kindergarten.
This article was taken from The Importance of the Kindergarten Year in the Montessori Classroom by Tim Seldin, President, Montessori Foundation, USA. Give your child the best, give her the authentic Montessori Education at Vines and Branches Montessori School, 2 Ruby St., Marfori Heights, Davao City, Tel. No. 226-2339. VBMS is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS), the largest accrediting Montessori organization in the world. Visit us now!
