MissT

Standing Tall

vs

Being Small

[THESE FLOWERS SEEM TO BE DOING BOTH]

Sometimes the first is required and sometimes the second is the most appropriate response to a situation. The hard part is knowing which one to do in which situation. This week I think I reversed them and made the mistake of standing tall when being small would have been the better choice. I am sorry and will try to correct myself this week.

I was offended by something someone said to me. The answer in that situation is almost always--BE SMALL. In my experience, people that say things offensive do not want to learn a lesson from the person they offended. In many cases they may not even know they are being offensive. I think people, given the chance, are kind most of the time. I was "small" but not nearly as "small" as I should have been.

It is not important to know who said what or what was said, the lesson can be learned in-spite of the details.

STANDING TALL when someone is offensive is the best response most of the time. It is not what the offensive person is expecting so it throughs them off their game.

I wish I would have thanked the person for their insightful comment--instead I just kind of ignored the comment and went about my business. She seemed to be upset the rest of the evening. I do not know her well enough to know what that means, but I feel really bad about this encounter. I feel that I missed a wonderful opportunity.

You see, hurtful things thrown outwardly usually means the person is hurting and needs kindness. I did not STAND really TALL and return hurtful words--but I was not nearly SMALL enough to take the opportunity to pass on love and understanding to a fellow human being that was tired, hurt or just cranky.

I only hope that I will get another opportunity to STNAD TALL or BE SMALL for her again this week. I look forward to the opportunity to do better the next time around.

MONTESSORI

STAND TALL vs BE SMALL

This one is almost too simple. The answer in the Montessori classroom is almost always "BE SMALL". Literally and figuratively. I love it when I go into a classroom and have a hard time finding the "teacher". I have never worked in an Infant or Toddler room--but it is hard for me to not STAND TALL in even a Primary classroom [ages 3 to 6 years old].

We adults are supposed to be a resource for the children. Our voice is supposed to be just loud enough to be heard--if you are paying attention--and even more quiet to get them to pay attention. One tiny chime of a bell is supposed to bring the children's joyful noise to silence.

BEING SMALL in a normalized Montessori classroom is a thing of beauty. The sound of a classroom that is literally humming along with children interacting with each other--without adult interference--is magical.

STANDING TALL is our goal for the child--not the adult. When the child learns to say, "no thank you, that hurts my feelings" all by her self--instead of running to the "teacher" and saying, "so-and-so hurt me"--that is when you know she is STANDING TALL all by herself. The more the children "needs" adults, the more work we have to do to help them realize they have so much power on their own.

I could go on and on, on this topic. I will stop and save a little for another time.

AFTERTHOUGHT

I love to learn from my readers--anyone out there have a comment? If not, just give me a positive thought--I hope you keep reading.