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Montessori and Loczy: Baby, master of his actions!
Trust Baby and listen to him, this could be the adage of alternative childcare. Indeed, as Miriam Rasse, nursery psychologist and director of the Pikler-Loczy France Association explains, “ the Loczy method emphasizes respect for independent activity. We let the child discover the games by himself without intervening in the acquisition of postures “. Annabelle, a former childcare assistant with Piklerian training, and today a nursery assistant, confirms this. “At Pikler-Loczy, we have a support role, we do not act in the place of the child. The notion of self-confidence is very important, ”she explains. Experts believe, in fact, that the little one does not learn because he is taught. According to them, ” the baby, who is born immature, has the capacity to learn on his own, thanks to its genetic potential. And its sensorimotor development is linked to its own activity in its environment ”.
Montessori pedagogy is also based on observation of the child. “The little one chooses what he wants to learn,” explains Patricia Spinelli, director of the Maria Montessori Higher Institute. To get used to it, educators provide toddlers various elements likely to arouse their interest and awaken them to social life, in a prepared and secure environment. The whole being to limit the prohibitions. “This environment, opening up the field of possibilities, allows the baby to express his skills, his bodily expressions, and to develop freely. Any unnecessary help is an obstacle to the development of the child, ”insists Patricia Spinelli. Adults, often tempted to encourage toddlers in their learning, must therefore withdraw to promote their autonomy. “Professionals should not act on impulse, but observe the child, making the appropriate gestures consistent with his progress. Only the baby is the actor in its development. Provided, of course, that we let it go at its own pace. Some walk at 10 months, others at 22 months, you have to keep that in mind, ”explains Patricia Spinelli.
Baby’s uniqueness, a key point
Montessori pedagogy advocates the recognition of the child as a full person. Indeed, the toddler is taken into account in its uniqueness: professionals adapt to the needs of each baby. This specificity is also found in Loczy structures. “We make sure that the child becomes aware of himself and his environment. This is why we insist on the verbalization of the lived experience. We talk to the child a lot. We remind him of what he did: “yesterday you did this, that …”. We also warn him of things to come: “now we are going to eat” … In fact, it is important to explain to the little ones what you are doing. This verbal sharing allows them to react and anticipate events », Underlines Miriam Rasse. Moreover, it is always the same people who take care of the baby. In addition, meeting times are stable and predictable. “The child thus has benchmarks of time and space. This is essential, since if he changes surroundings all the time, he will spend his time adapting, ”she underlines. The reference assistant and his relays also ensure emotional security for the little one, a feeling of continuity, participating “in the construction of his identity”.. This meaningful relationship allows the baby to become aware of his individuality. According to the specialist, toddlers socialize in individual meetings with adults. “This is how they learn how to behave in society. The consciousness of the other does not appear until around 18 months. Before this age, the little one is not ready to live with others, ”she assures us. Clearly, for experts adepts of alternative pedagogies, it is essential, even in the collective, “to ensure the uniqueness of each child, and to avoid collectivizing as is often the case”.
Equipment adapted to baby’s development
The toys and equipment offered to children are also very important in Montessori nurseries. “We provide children with specific objects developing a very specific interest. Each activity will isolate a parameter: the shape, or the color, for example, in order not to create confusion in the child, who is free to choose his activity. », Explains Patricia Spinelli. “Montessori material is given to the child as an aid in his development. It feeds his inner sensibilities, ”she adds. Another advantage of these playing methods: children do not all play at the same time, which promotes their concentration.
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