Today, I taught two classmates how to unroll and roll up a mat*.

It went reasonably well. I’m sure they were very impressed by how I patiently paused at every step of the process to make sure they understood, and to covertly whisper to them, “Erm… What’s next?”

I’m sure I’ll be a brilliant teacher by the end of the year.

 

 

The pace of study at Montessori College is comfortable. We have 15 hours of lessons a week, not counting workshops, talks and interning, which will happen when they happen.

We have a lot of private study time, which is good. I will need a lot of time to practice everything, in view of what happened today.

Today, we were taught the proper way to show children how to perform specific activities (for example, to walk quietly, which is to encourage them to respect the environment by walking calmly instead of dashing about like little torpedoes and knocking over other children and furniture).

It’s quite easy and straightforward if you understand why everything is done the way it’s done.

But when our teacher said, “Okay, now you try it on your classmates,” everything flew out my head.

 

 

For example, before we demonstrate an activity, we’re supposed to tell the children what we’re going to show them, and then assure them that they will get to try it after. This is to give them an incentive to watch patiently.

I had thought, “Great idea,” as I scribbled all the steps and reasons in my notebook.

But when you’re actually doing it, and there are people looking at you expectantly, your mind suddenly becomes empty.

I missed out on half the steps and only remembered them when we returned to our seats. (Like, I forgot to say they can try the activity after me, and I forgot to invite them to try it.)

Yep, gonna need a lot of practice.

Maybe I can practise on Piers. Guys can be such children so he will be perfect target practice.

Oh yes, I’m going to be just brilliant.

 

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*Children are taught how to unroll and roll up mats because they do much of their Montessori work on mats. They’re shown how to set a mat up when they need one, and how to put it away neatly after they’re done. This teaches them responsibility and respect for objects they use.