THE ARTS

AGE 6-12+ THE ARTS:

Reprinted from:
Child of the World, Essential Montessori for Age three to Twelve
ISBN: 1-879264-11-0

If this does not occur, the imagination addresses itself only to a spirit wandering in emptiness. —Dr. Maria Montessori, MD

All of the academic work in the elementary class is connected with and expressed by means of the arts. Instead of unrelated art and music lessons for the few, the techniques of creating in all areas (art, music, drama, dance, etc.) are taught by the teacher (often with the help of parents or specialists, but only when called upon by the students, for a reason), and then used to make learning exciting. There might be a play acting out the process of photosynthesis or the population of the world, a quilt made with squares of leaf shapes as a school fundraiser, or a series of beautiful watercolors demonstrating the principles of geometry. Just as in all areas, the teacher is in charge of teaching the tools and the students of designing and executing the work.

When we look at the curricula of the past, the Greeks and the Tibetans for example, we see that music and dance, and the arts in general, were an important part of the classical education. This was developed over many years of trial and error. It was considered "back to the basics," perhaps because they had discovered that purely mental learning did not stick in the mind, and that the arts allowed a student to enjoy learning, instead of just cramming in facts for a test. Maybe they discovered that learning that was fun and creative was remembered and that children who look forward to enjoying school have a better chance of being successfully educated.

(Continued)

When information is processed in some active, musical or artistic way—graphs, posters, drawings, creating maps, songs, plays, and so forth, the knowledge becomes permanent and it strengthens the creative part of the brain. Processing means The Arts!

A student becomes interested in a topic, with the teacher or a few friends she designs the research, then settles down to read and gather information. Most projects are, in the end, presented to the group in some form. Part of the group plan may be to decide who will do the art, the costumes, the music. Or an individual may work on something and present it as a song or poem, or a sculpted model. The work, whether it be in the field of geography, biography, history, math, or language takes the form of a project where the head and hand work together toward a creative, artistic expression. In order to learn in this way the child needs the tools and uninterrupted time. The adult supplies art materials, the model, such as exposure to good music or art, long blocks of uninterrupted time, and respect for the child's ideas and expression.

When a child learns by combining academics and the arts the whole understanding of life—and development of the brain—makes a giant leap. There are no limits to avenues of creativity.

Not only are famous artists and musicians studied, but ordinary people who bring the arts into their everyday lives. A child might interview parents, teachers, grandparents, to see what art forms they pursue as hobbies, what they did as children, and what are their dreams. One school we know selects a group art creation every year and auctions it off to raise class trip funds.

Studying the creations of other cultures, experiencing their dances and music, studying the reasons why different architectural forms developed, and clothing or language, gives a child an understanding of the universality of human needs and expression.

When elementary-aged children reach adolescence they enter one of the most creative periods of life, and will create based on those talents they have begun to develop in these earlier years. The period of life between the age of six and twelve is the time to explore as many creative forms as possible.

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© Copyright Michael Olaf, 2004

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 6-12+  The Arts" products, go to: michaelolaf.com/1CW612arts.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: multicultural music CD's and tapes, an international songbook, a series of books covering: music of the world, Bach and baroque music, Beethoven and the classical age, opera, Mozart and classical music, Chopin and romantic music, jazz, and rock. A book of 1200 international folk songs, a composers card game, history of music and history of art books, books on artists and art projects from many cultures, potholder loom.

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

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