Can you give a toddler a lesson?

Want to know the truth? Toddlers don't really like lessons!

They are still learning how to control their bodies (and bodily functions!). They rebel against help and interference from adults, like diaper changes, getting dressed, sitting at the dinner table, and taking a nap...

And they insist on doing everything themselves! The trouble is they (still) need a lot of help! So you are always trying to help while letting them do it themselves!

So how does giving a three period lesson work in a Montessori environment for this age group? It doesn't!

(My son's Montessori toddler teacher--with over 30 years experience, will laugh at you when you pose the question!)

If you are working with toddlers, my advice is to hold off on giving those three period lessons until age three, and put out activities the toddler needs no help with.

And you can rotate activities: take out what is too hard or frustrating for her (what she swats off the table, or throws, or never chooses); as well as what she has mastered--what is too easy... while still keeping her favorite activities in the environment.

Why are toddlers so hard to pin down and give a lesson to?

1) They do not have the attention span, or it is fleeting (one day they do, one day they don't).

2) They do not have the social skills (during a three period lesson) to say, "I'm done, let's put this away!" or "I want to do something else, now."

3) They are still in a large motor movement stage of development, so they will not sit for long!

Suggestions: Again, have activities that do not require a lesson. What's important is to spend more time observing your toddler in the environment for his interests--likes and dislikes; and his skill level (can he hold a piece of chalk or pour pasta, yet?).

And by observing your tot, you can add, rotate, and change activities, based on your observations.


Does your toddler take a lesson? Leave a comment!