Arizona republican., 1913-01-24
Let the Child Do His Task Alone
(MOther'S MagaZine)


 Doctor Montessori claims that only negecng the full training of the senses, but that we make children domineering and dsobedient by waiting on them much do; she claims that wait upon them doing many unnecessary things for them because fin hurry" We cannot wait for the little one!
 We feed children and button their clothing for them much longer than necessary, and in doing rob them of their personal rights of independence even though We do it in kindness. We rob them of their rights to exercise their senses and muscles in practical ways Doctor Montessori does not wish us to teach them to do these things, much less compel them, but instead has offered to sug- gestions that will entice the child teach himself She believes in auto or self education with little actual teaching or intervention possible. She has in short turned the tables upon us adults, and says us, Hands off"
 It is quite that may be possible at least convenient, for the child of three to dress himself wholly if breakfast dinner oh the train is waiting. We must not be unreasonable but later in the day he may practice buttonng facing upon little loom, especially made for him. until his fingers strengthened for more rapid move ments. Doctor MOntessor has in use twelve of these little ooms with flaps different qualities of muslin. leather and coth. with different sizes and kinds of buttons and with laces and ribbons tie It is all so simple and natural! The children love to work with these looms. They will concentrate upon one such loom for half hour even longer Is is as a toy to them. There is hurry about it and their fingers gradually become accustomed to the intricate movements necessary acng in handling pocketbook. in tying a bow
 To the child who always loves to initiate
 
 lowering near, saying No no, that is wrong-take it out etc. Doctor MOntessori says Do not cor rect-let the child find the way We learn by mis- takes" If there several children the younger ones will learn from the older ones
 Let the child skip buttons, skip holes in lac ing on the looms If he asks to be shown show him. but say little or possibly nothing A child cannot listen and observe too.
 We want to train children to concentrate and we proceed by talking, perhaps even by scolding and by so doing divide and dissipate attention Let 9tp he x1xoiIo in the background.
 1T you have no loom, why take little shoe stuff it with paper to give it shape child work upon 1t as long he is content so? Even the feel of the tool in his hand is thing for first experience Do chde if that he gains 1T he puts the hook through a buttonhole without securing it around the button exclaim or try to show the next step-he will take another step next time, or the next the next if left to him. self. Do not hurry the child do teach him: he Is trying experiment in self-instruction Let us watch It from distant and learn how pa tent little child can be, and how he enjoys making the simple, practical movements which he has watch ed mother and nurse making daily many months This is why he can teach himself He has learned all he can by watching and seeing; he must get the feel in his hands and muscles.