Events
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AMI Professional Development DayBeing and Belonging – Supporting the Socialisation ProcessMaria Montessori Institute 8th November 2008 ‘Nature lays down a plan for the construction of personality and of social life, but this plan becomes realised only through the children’s activity when they are placed in circumstances favourable to its fulfilment.’ When the child comes into the Children’s House he has already had many social experiences – he has observed the way that the people around him act and interact – and now he needs opportunities to carry out these things for himself so that they become a part of his own unique personality. As Maria Montessori says it is nature’s plan for the child to construct his social life during the first six years of life and it is our task to place the child in ‘circumstances favourable to its fulfilment’. But what are these circumstances? We know that we need to help the child’s social development but there is often a lack of clarity on this what we mean by this. We tend to use the terms ‘social behaviour’ and ‘socialising’ interchangeably – sometimes using one when we mean the other and vice versa. We tend to think of ‘socialising’ as something trivial and superficial – just about fun and enjoyment. Yet we still say that the children must be allowed to ‘socialise’ – because they need to be able to get along with others if they are going to be successful in life. On the other hand, the development of ‘social behaviour’ is a much more serious business – this is helping the child to become socially adapted to society and aware of the needs of others. But are these really two separate things – is it not essential for the child to ‘socialise’ in order to develop ‘social behaviour’? And what kind of ‘socialising’ do we need to allow the child to do – is everything acceptable as long as the children are communicating with each other? Or do we need to set some parameters? If we allow the children to ‘socialise’ will they spontaneously become socially aware – or is there something else we need to do? Won’t their ‘socialising’ interfere with the other children’s given freedom to work? And if the children are ‘socialising’ what about their ‘work’? Or is this their ‘work’? These are all questions that we have asked ourselves many times and yet we still don’t seem to have all the answers. We are delighted that Nikki Hughes, AMI trainer from Ireland, has agreed to make this the subject of our next AMI Professional Development day at the Maria Montessori Institute on the 8th November 2008. Those of you who have heard Nikki speak before will know that it is bound to be an enriching and insightful day. More Information: Alumni@mariamontessori.org 2009 International Montessori Congress5 - 8 January 2009, Chennai, India
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