Montessori Philosophy, AGE 3-6+ YEARS

BLOCKS & PUZZLES

AGE 3-6+
BLOCKS & PUZZLES:
Blocks
Puzzles
An introduction to later studies

Reprinted from:
Child of the World, Essential Montessori for Age three to Twelve
ISBN: 1-879264-08-0

AN INTRODUCTION TO LATER ACADEMIC STUDIES
In the following pages you will find ideas for introducing the child to the world. We do not believe in pushing a child, but we believe strongly in providing an environment rich in all areas of learning so that the child can choose, from his own intuition, what he is ready to learn. Young children show an amazing interest in a wide range of subjects.

A rich environment creates interests and extends the child’s experience, widening her grasp of such things as music, art, history, geography, science, language, and math. Observations, over the years, of the child’s built-in curiosity and interest in all these areas of study and accomplishment, have taught us to focus on the preparation of an early environment that allows the child to choose and to teach herself. The adult's challenge is to be sure that the environment offers all the key experiences necessary for laying this foundation.

Rather than relying on verbal lessons, TV, or videos (or other examples of passive learning) because the subject is academic, we rely on the same abilities developed in the areas of practical life and good toys.

We create an environment rich in experiments, games, materials, and books which the child can select as the interest arises, providing experiences of hand and mind working together for an intelligent purpose.

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BLOCKS
Blocks have been a favorite of children the world over forever. They can be made from simple stones, clay bricks, pieces of tree branches, or polished hardwoods. The attraction is that the imagination of the child is set free to create relationships between these physical objects.

Many mathematical and geometric relationships and architectural concepts are discovered, and physics principles are discovered as the structure gets too tall or too heavy. The child can also work out personal problems by playacting with blocks, animal models and little people. In our experience, next to doing real family work, playing with blocks has been the greatest aid to developing concentration..

PUZZLES
Puzzles provide visual discrimination practice as the child figures out exactly how the elements fit together visually, and eye-hand control as the pieces are fitted together. They teach the child that work/play is not only open-ended but can have a beautiful and logical structure. They more easily give practice in the beginning and ending of an activity and the satisfaction of completion. The progression of puzzles is first 1, 2, or 3 piece knobbed puzzles (found in Joyful Child, Michael Olaf's Essential Montessori for Birth to Three), then multiple-piece knobbed puzzles, simple jigsaw puzzles in frames with gradually increasing numbers of pieces, then cube puzzles and regular cardboard jigsaw puzzles.

Just as a child is eager to know the exact techniques for using a kitchen or woodworking tool, a gardening tool, or the technique of playing a musical instrument, she wants to know the exact ways to use "puzzle toys." We would be doing a child a disservice if we allowed her to use anything—blocks, a violin bow, a hand mixer—as a hammer, for example. This does not stifle creativity, but facilitates it!
Playing with open-ended toys, such as dolls, blocks, art materials, and so forth, is made infinitely richer by the child's knowledge of exact techniques in handling any toys or materials.

Through the use of all good materials the child learns how to think, to concentrate, to complete a train of thought and a cycle of activity, and to solve problems. She learns to bring the use of her body and especially her hands under the control of her will, to be self-disciplined. This is the foundation for the creativity of a professional artist or composer, and for the creativity of a child at any age.

TEXT - To return to the Child of the World main page of the philosophy and practice text, go to: michaelolaf.net/ /1CWhome.html

PRODUCTS - For "Age 3-6+ Blocks and Puzzles" products, go to: michaelolaf.com/1CW36blocks.html

The products selected by the Michael Olaf Montessori staff are very different from those commonly available for children. They are made of natural materials whenever possible; they are beautiful; they meet an important developmental need; and they have proven themselves over the years, or have been well-tested to meet the highest standards. Products which support this section of Child of the World, Essential Montessori for Age Three to Twelve, include: French Kapla blacks, basic block sets in five different sizes, block storage cart, block storage shelf, tiny wooden family, tower of ten, arcobaleno, think and match puzzles, wooden magnet puzzles, jigsaw puzzles in wooden box, 24-piece and 48-piece wooden frame puzzles, animal floor puzzles, cubes in bois (wooden cube puzzles from Switzerland).

If you would like to order a copy of Child of the World to read at your leisure, and to share with non-internet friends and associates, please see http://www.michaelolaf.net/ordering.html

Return to the Michael Olaf home pages:
http://www.michaelolaf.net (free information on Montessori philosophy and practice)
http://www.michaelolaf.com (products)

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