Near-by graduation

This fall, I will have my ECE! So exciting! I have 3 placements left plus one class. The class, I hear, is essentially exploring different philosophies.. so I will love it :) Having the Montessori experience, will be great help. I have been learning so much about it and forming my own opinions.

Montessori  Education
Reggio Emilia Approach
Emergent Curriculum
Woldorf Education


The people who came up with these philosophy styles are individuals, (just like you and me!) and amazing educators, who spent their lives studying pedagogy and child development. They have hugely influenced the way we teach children. There are pros and cons to a lot of the different teaching styles and environments. It is difficult to choose just one to follow. I enjoy picking a choosing aspects of all of them!

Recently, we had Lillian Katz talk to us about teaching and pedogogy. She started a scientific journal that publishes studies of children. I should subscribe ;) Not only to that.. but to other child development journals.

I have been considering if I want to do more schooling. I think it would be wise for me to take a break and have a full time job for a bit. That will allow me to further develop my skills as an ECE. If I go back to school after this, it will likely be for ABA accreditation or a Resource Teachers Certificate. I enjoy working with special needs.

So, those are my exciting plans! At least exciting to meeeee!!!

More on Montessori education to come!

Montessori vs. Emergent

Earlier this week, I began my placement at a Montessori school. I am in love.

The first day, I sat with my pen and paper to observe and take notes on the environment. I ended up asking a lot of children what they were doing and how to do things, because they were all busy with different work and eager to explain.

Snack ended up being one of my first observations. The furniture included a little table with 3 chairs and a small cupboard and shelf. Three children sat at the table and took one cupcake which was to one side on a plate. The juice was available for them to pour themselves and this area had minimal supervision. Except for me :)

At the centre where I work, where we follow a newly implemented Emergent curriculum model, the teachers serve snack to the children of similar ages (Kindergarten). It is much more monitored and the teacher makes sure that each child takes the right amount. So the school did things quite differenlyt in that sense.

While at the Montessori school yesterday, a girl came up to me and asked if I would tie the thread on her needle. It was a real sewing needle. I was so surprised! I tied it for her and then walked to the table where she worked to join her. She sewed a button on a square of fabric. Then asked me to knot it again at the end.

At the centre where I work, I have wanted to use needles before and choose not to because they could easily poke a child or get lost in the classroom for someone to find who would hurt themselves or others. I opted out and have never been able to find plastic needles.

The confidence the teachers have in the children's responsible nature absolutely astounded me. The children are well behaved and work so hard.

Realise I have not included all of the pros and cons of Emergent curriculum and Montessori, though these are a few differences I have noted between the centres.

I am excited about what I will learn in these 96 hours of placement. I already want to get accredited!