Category Archives: Montessori

Brendan’s end of the school year

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This whole year has been a series of lasts.  The last Christmas concert.  The last Grand Day.  The last conference.  The last day of school was a rainy day.  That was good, because I had trouble all month keep tears back.

The real sadness set in at Bren’s conference.  Seniors who are getting ready to move on lead their own conference.  They demonstrate a work, invite teachers and parents to share memories and walk through their portfolio of three years of work.  As soon as Brendan’s teachers started talking about him the tears started.

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The spoke of him with such a genuine love for who he is.  They shared all the great things they love about him- the same things we love.  Chris and I loved hearing their stories too- how Bren loves to read to the morning children before they leave, how he loves the conversation mat but it helps a bilingual friend with English, how he can make up games and stories to play with friends, how he can be a peacemaker, how he knew the method of the job chart and everyone’s job (and loved Mondays because you change jobs then), how he loves to write about fairies, how he convinced a friend to get on stage for their final performance by sharing how he gets over nervousness (think of something you love and pretend you are there).

One teacher shared on a recent day that seemed chaotic she said aloud to Brendan it was a crazy day.  Bren responded, “Don’t worry, the children have the classroom under control.”  Such a Montessori kid.

Their report and in their conference they said they would miss him.  We certainly will miss them.  It was the best experience for Brendan and all the things we hoped he would experience there he did- an opportunity to be a leader, a peacemaker and a lover of learning.

There is so much more I feel I should say about the wonderful experience we had with both kids at Walnut Park.  It is something I am going to think about more this summer and will post about in the future.  I know that as first grade begins in the fall, all the things Bren learned will lead right to an appreciation for Walnut Park and the Room 2 teachers.

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Brendan’s First Day at Walnut Park (age 3) and Last Day (almost 6)

 

Worlds collide!

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When I worked in Dorchester, I met Joh.  He is from Africa and is a drummer and dance teacher.  When I heard that Brendan’s class was studying Africa is seemed the perfect time to reconnect.

Joh came to Walnut Park and danced and drummed with the kids!  It was a great time!

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Boys.

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On September 27, 2004 I found out I would be the mom to a boy.  I was, of course, excited about being a mom.  But in the midst of dancing school with 125 girls and growing up in a house of girls (plus Dad who had six sisters), I had no idea what to expect.  Would I have to learn super hero names? Would I get sucked into a world of Legos, trucks and cars?  Worse yet, would I be on a first name basis with the pediatric ER staff?

What about dance classes? Dolls? The stuff I knew, loved and figured I would play with again?

Of course these are all generalizations and gender stereotypes.  And after eight years I would never say that I am an expert.  But there is something I have learned.

You don’t parent a gender.  You parent a child.  You learn about you child- their likes, dislikes and interests.  I learned a great deal in Montessori trainings about following each child and figuring out what makes them unique and special and fostering that.  I learned about preparing the environment and standing out of their way while they learned on their own.  Sure as a parent (much like the teacher), you are there for help, guidance and questions.  But overall, you observe and use your observations to guide.

Aidan loves science and math.  He would be happy doing science experiments all day.  He also loves geography and history.  He is very much interested in Abe Lincoln, the Revolutionary War and countries.  He is not really interested in war toys, super heroes or cars.

Brendan loves dolls, dresses and imaginary play.  He will sit and play Legos with Aidan but would rather play with princesses.

Now that the kids are in school and have friends and are learning more about the world around them, I am sure their interests with change and other things will be included.  That’s fine.  They will figure that out on their own.  And we will figure out, as we have for almost 8 years, what that means for how we parents each of them.

But what I do know is I love being the mom of Aidan and Brendan.