7 Pivotal Ways to Show Respect to Children as a Montessori Teacher

Developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori, Montessori teaching is a child-focused educational approach. Through scientific observations of children, Montessori teachers teach for the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of children.

However, it is not all. Being a Montessori teacher, you also have to learn how to respect your students. By showing them respect, you show them that they are capable of doing things independently and thus, open up a world of possibilities before them.

Here are some of the important ways to respect your young students –

1. Allow the child to make choices about their body

Just as we would not invade an adult’s physical space, not should we do so with a child. Allow your students to decide whether or not to hug someone. Don’t ever force your child students to feel guilty if he or she does not feel like embracing someone. The message that you send your kids when you allow him or her to make choices about his or her body can have a huge impact on how he or she feels about his or her rights to say no in the future.

2. Use good manners when interacting with them

Though it seems silly, it makes sense. When you model grace and courtesy as a Montessori teacher, you are not only teaching them the proper way to treat all people, but also instilling in them a sense of self-respect.

3. Refrain from forcing them to share something

Sharing is caring – it is what you teach your children in the classroom. But you should not force tour kids to share something with others. Rather try to encourage a mindset of giving. Allow your child when to share his or her personal items and when to refrain from doing this.

4. Respond to mistake with grace

It means refraining from laughing when your child makes a mistake, or falls, or forget the answer in the middle. Being a teacher, you should not laugh at their mistake. It is because it can be humiliating to be laughed at when he or she makes a mistake.

5. Listen carefully

Allow your students to spend for themselves, even though it feels like it is taking quite a bit of time to get it all out. Use patience, as well as eye contact, and refrain from interrupting or finishing his r her sentences. When you show your kids that what he or she has to say matters, they will learn to use their voice in any situations.

6. Show your trust in them

Dr. Montessori said, “We habitually serve children; and this is not only an act of servility toward them, but it is dangerous, since it tends to suffocate their useful spontaneous activity.” Instead of helping your students in everything, let them do it first. It they forget when writing something or nor able to understand how to draw a fish or flower, don’t help them immediately. Let them try as many times as they want, and then if required help them. It will boost their confidence and increase their ability to complete a job by them without taking help from others.

7. Respect their privacy

Part of showing respect to your child is remembering that some things can be embarrassing for them. And they can count on you to keep their private lives private. Being their class teacher, you may know a lot of things about them but you should not reveal these before others. Showing respect involves being aware of the real feeling of your kids. And doing this will solidify the trust you have built with your students. Trust is a vital part of any relationship between people of all ages, and it will continue to grow with time, given them the impression that you are honest and someone that they can rely on.

These are some of the great ways to show respect to children as a Montessori teacher. Do you want to know more about Montessori education? Do you want to work as a Montessori teacher? If so, then without waiting any more, enroll yourself in a Montessori teaching course today!

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