HOW TO OBSERVE AND ASSIST MY CHILD’S MOVEMENTS?

Living organisms are obviously distinct from rest of the things because of the actions or movements performed by them internally and externally. Dr.Montessori says that the laws of nature given to every single living species regarding the movement are to serve for the cosmos just not for selfish pleasures.

But regarding the human child the main universal problem is the child’s unacceptable and acceptable movements. We have misunderstood a lot about our own movements. So we have imposed a very rigid control upon child’s essential movements which are very much necessary for his freedom and self construction. So let us try to observe the child’s actions and movements and see where our mistake is.

A Montessori environment is mostly liked by all children because it accepts the freedom of movement for self construction. A child can sit any where, walk at any time, talk without distracting others, work any thing by his choice and free to express his thoughts.

This freedom has made these children to evolve as ‘’ perfect human characters with potentials and confidence’’.

Dr.Montessori says that if we suppress the actions and movements of our children, the mind will loose interest and confidence and they start seeking our support for ever.

We think that the new born infant cannot do any movement. But an Olympic athlete was unable to move after few hours where as the new born infant performed his movements without tiredness for long hours. We are suppressing the new born child’s movements which have to be done for confidence building.

What can I do?
Floor is the best support for the child than us.
Clean the floor, apply good soft bedspread or mat according to your climatic conditions.
Just be aware about the safety and leave the infant on the bed spread. See the power of movement.
When he starts holding things give small wooden attractive objects to hold.
Can put attractive black and white mobiles above him, after 3 months we can put colorful mobiles.
When swimming and crawling movements are seen allow the movements and can provide comfortable sittings objects.
Can make shelves of their height and place their things in view and allow them to explore and touch.
By proper movements, a child can be on his own from the age of 1.5 years.
We have seen that 2 years old children walking for more than 2 kilometers.
Our love must be behind them but it is binding them in our tight arms and pillows.


Infants express the circular movements of limbs which is based on the enormous power

Any infant who has not developed the language will express their emotional needs by movements. But we misunderstand as naughtiness.

The various movements of the new born infants are listed. Please observe your child and assist him!

Head turns.
Opening of the eyes.
Cry calls.
Shrinking and opening of palms and feet
Body turns.
Cyclic and circulatory movements of limbs
Trying to touch and feel.
Sitting.
Lifting the shoulders and neck turns.
Creeping which will be followed by swimming with elbows.
Crawling with 4 limbs.
Pulling up to stand by toes.
Stepping to walk.
Proper walking.
WALKING MAKES THE MOST IMPORTANT MILE STONE OF INDEPENDENCE IN CHILD’S LIFE.

SECRET BEHIND THE HANDS:
Man became very higher in the evolution of life because of his hands. The hands have made just to adapt him self with the nature and changing environment. His needs to face the challenges of his environment have made him to discover and invent various things which become the art and culture of his society.

Dr.Montessori says that when a child’s hands are given the freedom of movement and feeling of the touch his brain constructs the units of intelligence and control of movement with awareness will be blossomed. But it is very sad to see children getting controlled and checked by us to use the hands.

TIPS FOR LITTLE HANDS:
Low down the shelves and place the child’s things in order and he can explore, touch and take them. Especially allow the child’s thumb, fore finger and middle finger to coordinate and work. These 3 fingers are the most important people for child’s later creations.
Dr.Montessori has designed most of her didactic apparatuses with the knobs which provides the hands and fingers to explore more and to work a lot. Cylindrical Blocks is a wooden apparatus which supports the child for this action can be given. All puzzles and picking up activities supports this movement.
We can cultivate the inner order of movement and self control.
In this stage children likes to use hands especially to touch soil, sand and water. Please allow them to handle them with clean stuff.
Allow the child to wash the hands with a bit of soap and 2 bowls of water. The nervous connections enrich the impulses and the brain concentrates more. This id one of the most important activity in any Montessori school.
Similarly the soil, sand and clay can make them to imagine and create many things. But they need be any meaningful creation in our view. The hand in work all the human brain to explore more and increases the power of imagination.

Dr.Montessori says that the child’s inner WILL triggers the little hands to touch, feel and slowly create things which is nothing but the previous explorations and cultural formation.

She says,
‘’ THE HAND HAS FOLLOWED THE INTELLIGENCE, SPIRIT AND EMOTIONS, AND HAS LEFT TRACES OF ALL BEHIND MAN IN HIS WANDERINGS. APART FROM THE PSYCHOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW, ALL CHANES IN MAN ‘S ENVIRONMENT HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE HAND OF MAN. IT IS BECAUSE THE HANDS HAVE ACCOMPANIED THE INTELLIGENCE THAT CIVILIZATION HAS BEEN BUILT, SO IT MAY WELL BE SAID THAT THE HAND IS THE ORGAN OF THAT IMMENSE TREASURE GIVEN TO MAN.’’

Allowing the child to watch, observe, walk, run , stand around every where in his living condition kindles his hands to work. Give this freedom to work with the hands to construct him self!
Thanking you!




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