The Work of the Child
The child's work is done unconsciously, in abandonment to mysterious spiritual energy, actively engaged in creation. It is indeed a creative work; it is perhaps the very spectacle of the creation of man [adult].
Dr. Maria Montessori The Secret of Childhood
I am always amazed by children. They bring us nuggets of hope while grounding us. I often refer to young children as small and new little humans because really, that is what they are. I have noticed it is sometimes easy to forget just how very connected we are to them. We were that child once. Not all that long ago, we were new to the world eager and curious to learn the ways of this world we live in. We worked hard in our efforts to first become steady on our feet all the way to where we are now, raising this generation of new little humans. We have come a long way.
One of the many things I love about the Montessori pedagogy is the focus on the work of the child. Everything they do is work, and that is a good thing. We have come to associate work with so many negative feelings. It can be boring, it can be draining, it can take us away from the things we love. When in reality, work should be satisfying, bring joy, be fulfilling, and bring us closer to a goal. This is the space the child is in. They enjoy work. Work and play are synonymous. Work and play bring joy and satisfaction to the child. They are one and the same.
This is why we don't call our materials toys. The children are working, oftentimes working with real tools to accomplish real tasks. Children are seeking purpose in life, just as we do. They are finding their place in this world. Doing purposeful work helps the child feel connected to their community whether that is the classroom community or the family unit.
Parents often ask how they can help support their children at home. One beautiful and uncomplicated way to do this is by offering the child real work with real tools. Invite your child to help clean, cook, garden, and all the other things we do. Invite them to be active members of the family unit. And when you observe your child concentrating, focused, and inflow, step back and enjoy it. Give them the space to work even if that work is splashing in a puddle, collecting rocks, watching the birds fly by, and don't interrupt, just watch and enjoy. They are working on becoming a full-grown human.
