My child has the whole day to work with the materials. What difference does it make if my child arrives at to school before the work cycle starts or after that?
What do children do in the Morning Work Cycle?
In a Montessori classroom, children work for 2-3 hours in the morning. It is an uninterrupted work time where children can choose their lesson or a lesson with a guide’s help.
Once children walk into the classroom, they socialize with their friends initially. It might seem like children are wandering around, but they are looking for the lesson they like. The child gets to choose something they are attracted to or, the teacher presents to the child individually or in a group. At this age, children are very focused. You will find a child working with the same lesson for several hours with focus and concentration until they are satisfied or have explored enough. Once they complete their work, children clean up and, they tend to start a new lesson. Every time they use the same material, children explore further with them.
Why is the 3-hour work cycle important?
“…the child can only develop fully by means of experience within his environment.” – Maria Montessori in The Absorbent Mind. The child requires time to transition, absorb, and work with the materials in the classroom.
“The essential thing is for the task to arouse such an interest that it engages the child’s whole personality.” – Maria Montessori in The Absorbent Mind. The morning work cycle presents the child with an opportunity to choose materials that interest them and spend time divulging deep into that lesson ignoring everything around them.
What do children achieve?
- They become more independent
- They learn to focus and concentrate
- Love of learning
- Satisfaction and peace
The 3-Hour Morning Work cycle is very sacred to all Montessori teachers. Children must experience this every single day. It is a crucial part of the day, and the children will feel content, complete, and calm at the end.
Presented by Ms. Aparna
References:
The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori
