When It All Comes Together

"When the child begins to think and to make use of the written language to express his rudimentary thinking, he is ready for elementary work, and this fitness is a question not of age or other incidental circumstance but mental maturity."   

- Dr. Maria Montessori

It is always so exciting to see the spontaneous interest in language. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to comment on this photo.

This child has been with us since the age of three. When she began, I was her teacher. And I have watched her grow and develop into a very capable kindergartener. I remember our first lessons in the language area, identifying the beginning sounds of objects in the room, playing "bring me" games, and using the moveable alphabet to list all of our favorites in different categories like food, animals, colors, etc. 

And here she is, putting it all together to copy down a cookie recipe that caught her eye. 

It is such a remarkable progression to move from a first-year Primary kid to the elder, oh so experienced and capable, a 3rd-year kindergartener. And for us, the teachers, it is such an honor to guide the child through this and witness them blossom as they step into the next plane of development.