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It is finally here…Part 3 of the 3 part Montessori Tidbits Series!!
It has been a long time coming, but it is finally here…
Here is the final installment of the new 3 part series, Montessori Tidbits: Ideas & Practices for newbies to the Montessori Method. Part 3, is about a common Montessori practice; Grace & Courtesy. Grace & Courtesy is a method of teaching children manners in a variety of ways and situations, and once implemented by the children, can lead to a peaceful & respectful environment. If you’ve ever had the chance to be in a Montessori environment, meet a Montessori child, or see Montessori children out in the public scene, you may have noticed how well behaved, polite, courteous and self-disciplined they are. That is the magic of Grace & Courtesy.
Grace & Courtesy
Grace & Courtesy is a staple in a Montessori environment. It is as common as the 3 year age span, mixed aged groups. It is taught as young as 3 years of age, and is continued and revisited at the beginning of each school year. It is reintroduced at least once every year so that the teacher can demonstrate the expectations of each child. The main goal of grace & courtesy is to teach children proper manners. It provides them with ways to interact with other children and adults. Teachers and parents alike can easily introduce and teach grace & courtesy to a small or large group. The key is to provide instances where children can role play various social situations. Disrespect and rude behavior is rarely seen in a Montessori environment, as Grace & Courtesy is practiced and implemented on a regular basis.
Objectives of implementing Grace & Courtesy
With proper implementation, Grace & Courtesy lessons can provide children with the tools to become kind, understanding, respectful individuals in our society. Here are a few ways Grace & Courtesy can be a positive addition to any home or classroom setting or environment.
Children learn how to respect others & the environment
With Grace & Courtesy lessons, adults can teach children the importance of respecting others belongings, their own belongings, and their environment; whether that be their home, bedroom, classroom or other places they visit.
Children develop skills that are used in many social situations
Lessons in Grace & Courtesy can give children the necessary skills needed in various social situations. Social situations with their peers, other adults, teachers, and any other people they will encounter. Knowing how to react and respond in social situations is a very important skill to develop early on.
Children are taught the importance of patience & understanding
Children learn how to be patient and wait for things. Grace & Courtesy lessons teach them that it is fine to have to wait for things, wait their turn for things, and to be understanding when situations don’t always go as they plan. Things happen and it is our job as adults to teach children to be understanding & accepting of things.
Grace & Courtesy Lessons
These lessons are not an all inclusive list of Grace & Courtesy lessons that can be introduced to children. This list is of my top 5 Grace & Courtesy lessons that I have used and find are the best at teaching children manners.
The way in which to introduce the Grace & Courtesy lessons are listed. Each lesson is easy to use and laid out in a way that any teacher or parent can introduce the lessons to one or many children. Each lesson is set up as a role play situation in which children can witness the real life experience of each Grace & Courtesy lesson.
1. Waiting for their turn to do a work/activity
-Explaining to children that sometimes you have to wait for certain activities or work. Explain to them to stay busy by doing another work while they wait. This teaches patience.
2. Asking another child if they can work on an activity with them or play with them before working with them
-It is customary in a Montessori environment that children are not made to share. If they choose to work independently, it is allowed and if a child would like to work with another child, they must ask them first. If the child who got the work first wants to work alone, the other child must respect their decision and work elsewhere.
3. Interrupting an adult when they are having a conversation
-Without saying anything, the child will place their hand on your leg or arm (if they can reach it). The adult will place their hand on top of the child’s hand to let my know that they know they are waiting to talk to them when appropriate.
4. Waiting for someone to finish talking without interrupting
Teaching children to wait patiently without interrupting when other people are talking. Teach them that unless it is a true emergency, they must not interrupt and wait until they are done talking.
5. Respecting others personal space
-Tell the children that everyone has a pretend invisible bubble around them. Tell them that if they get too close to others, they may pop their bubble and invade their personal space.
I hope that these Grace & Courtesy lessons that I have tried and tested could be of help to parents and other teachers. When taught and implemented, these lessons will (hopefully) lead to well mannered children who are polite, courteous and patient. These lessons should be revisited on a regular basis and the children should be reminded, as needed of these lessons.
Thanks for joining me for the Montessori Tidbits Series. Missed reading Part 1 and Part 2 of the series? Click here for Part 1: 10 Ideas to Achieve a Peaceful Home or Classroom Setting and Part 2: Positive Discipline The Montessori Way.
Grace & Courtesy Book Resources
Montessori at Home or School: How to Teach Grace and Courtesy
Grace & Courtesy
Spring Tea: a celebration of grace and courtesy for children three to six
