by Terri Sherrill

In my training, the first step of EVERY single lesson was, “Ask the child if they would like to do something new.”

While I will admit this mantra got rather redundant, the message to me was clear. In the Montessori method, children are meant to have a voice. They are to be participants in the decision to learn new things, and not just passive and powerless recipients.

Our school invited Master Teachers to visit as a part of our in-service training. We were to observe these instructors as guest teachers in our classrooms. When I saw them introduce the Classroom Meeting, it made perfect sense.

The goal of the Meeting is to include the children in the decision making process. It is to convey a sense of ownership, respect and responsibility. It helps children understand that participation in community affairs is an important way of life that can affect change. But I think that most of all, it allows each child to feel that they BELONG to a community and that they are needed and VALUED.

The Meeting differs from circle time. While children still gather together, it is not to receive a lesson, a song or a story. It is a time to brainstorm ideas and develop classroom procedures that meet the needs of its members. A teacher or a child may begin or run the meeting. Teachers should familiarize themselves with parliamentary procedures in order to model respectful facilitation.

Discussions can include any topic that affects the group. You can address issues such as:

the noise level in the classroom,
grace and courtesy,
more efficient ways to get children ready for nap or lunch,
what foods to prepare for a cultural study,
how to make transitions more peaceful
what plants to grow in the garden this season
remembering to flush the toilet after use,
or any topic that the children choose or makes itself evident in the environment.

After you or a child pose a question, make sure to LISTEN. Their wisdom may surprise you! (I once had older children offer to “read” to younger children before they went off to nap and to help lay out the mats, and the solution of transitioning from playtime was as simple as providing a tray of large cups of drinking water at the door. We live in a very hot climate and the children were half crazed with thirst and would all rush to the sink as soon as we came in.)

The important component is that children feel invited to share ideas. It should be fun, and even silly answers should be allowed, because sometimes these can actually lead to the best solutions! Everyone should feel comfortable and relaxed.

Maria Montessori envisioned a house that was run and maintained by children. This means that the teacher should not be the source of all policies and procedures. By including children in the decision making process, we help them to become more independent, to change the paradigm of power struggles, to realize the benefits of participating in their community, and to give them the tools and inner dialog they need to solve the whatever problems may come their way.