
Attn Parents.....Does the following sound familiar?
Parent: "What did you do at school today?"
Child: "Oh.......nothing."
You're not alone! This is a very common conversation and can be frustrating for parents who want to make sure that their child is doing more than sitting in a chair and staring off into space doing "nothing" all day!
One way we help to bridge the gap between parents & teachers at Country Life is via our Weekly Updates where we share general information on what the class is working with as a whole. We encourage parents to use that information to start conversations with their children about what's happening at school.
But how do you start a conversation with a 3 yr old where you will get some actual answers? Try being specific in your questions about school. Ask leading questions with defined answers that are easily recalled like "who did you sit next to during lunch time today?" "What did you talk about?" "What is one work you chose off of the shelf today?" or "What is your favorite activity at school right now?"
You may get an occasional "I don't know" answer which just may mean their brains are exhausted from the day, which is why, during pick-up time, we try and remind the child (in earshot of the parent) to remember to tell their parents about (insert activity name here) that they worked with that day.
But is that enough? We are trying to find MORE ways to share our adventures with parents. After all, the more parents and school are in communication together, the more they can work together in partnership to help provide the best environment for children who are absorbing information at the speed of light!
One method we are working towards for this fall is incorporating a new system called "Montessori Compass." The Montessori Compass is a student tracking system for Montessori schools where parents can log-in and see what lessons their child received, any notes the teacher might add, and hopefully a picture or two! We are still in the Beta testing phase of this system which, honestly, has been slow and a steep learning curve for us, but we are hoping to offer it as a communication device beginning in September! Take a peek and see what you think:
www.MontessoriCompass.com
Why does communicating with parents even matter at this young age? I leave you with a quote by an amazing woman =)
“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence is being formed.” - Maria Montessori
Check out this example of our General Weekly Updates that go out each Friday!
Parent: "What did you do at school today?"
Child: "Oh.......nothing."
You're not alone! This is a very common conversation and can be frustrating for parents who want to make sure that their child is doing more than sitting in a chair and staring off into space doing "nothing" all day!
One way we help to bridge the gap between parents & teachers at Country Life is via our Weekly Updates where we share general information on what the class is working with as a whole. We encourage parents to use that information to start conversations with their children about what's happening at school.
But how do you start a conversation with a 3 yr old where you will get some actual answers? Try being specific in your questions about school. Ask leading questions with defined answers that are easily recalled like "who did you sit next to during lunch time today?" "What did you talk about?" "What is one work you chose off of the shelf today?" or "What is your favorite activity at school right now?"
You may get an occasional "I don't know" answer which just may mean their brains are exhausted from the day, which is why, during pick-up time, we try and remind the child (in earshot of the parent) to remember to tell their parents about (insert activity name here) that they worked with that day.
But is that enough? We are trying to find MORE ways to share our adventures with parents. After all, the more parents and school are in communication together, the more they can work together in partnership to help provide the best environment for children who are absorbing information at the speed of light!
One method we are working towards for this fall is incorporating a new system called "Montessori Compass." The Montessori Compass is a student tracking system for Montessori schools where parents can log-in and see what lessons their child received, any notes the teacher might add, and hopefully a picture or two! We are still in the Beta testing phase of this system which, honestly, has been slow and a steep learning curve for us, but we are hoping to offer it as a communication device beginning in September! Take a peek and see what you think:
www.MontessoriCompass.com
Why does communicating with parents even matter at this young age? I leave you with a quote by an amazing woman =)
“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence is being formed.” - Maria Montessori
Check out this example of our General Weekly Updates that go out each Friday!