sitting on a mat

[momster]

Hi everyone,

Can someone please explain the rationale for sitting and doing an activity on a mat for 3-6 classroom? I get that it develops a boundary for that child's work. But I question how necessart that physical boundary is and if it's too limiting, especially for a very physically active child. I think it simplifies for the adults the issues of sharing and grabbing, etc that are typical in 2 year olds, but does it also then unnecessarily limit some of the interaction between children that might be challenging at times, but also might serve as a learning platform.

Also, I think about how sitting at a desk in elementary limits learning for a lot of children, especially active ones. Wouldn't sitting on a mat be even more limiting for a 2 year old?

I don't mean to criticize, just want to understand, learn more and hear others' opinions of the pros and cons.

Thanks

[mightymoo]

Well, I think the reason sitting at a desk might inhibit learning is related to the being restricted to the desk, not the size of the desk. Children in Montessori are free to get up and walk around, etc - I really don't see a correlation.

I think the matt helps the children learn to respect each others workspaces. Both by not taking up the entire classroom floor with their project and by giving them a visual cue that this is someone else's work area. It also shows respect for the materials, allowing them to make the floor a place to work without just dumping the materials on the floor.

I haven't studied the M philosophy, but that's the reasons I see why its useful. I don't see it as restrictive, except in that it teaches the above values, the children are welcome to get up and move, they can move the matt, they can put the project away. It's really not the same as the traditional educational model where a child is forced to stay at a desk.

[Ilaria]

I think it teaches respect and boundaries. Kids are free to go to the bathroom, get some water or even walk around and dilly-dally if they so choose (not ideal, but my ds is known for that! )...yet, they have THEIR place with THEIR work to go back to and finish. It's neat and orderly, and I like that. All children feel very strongly about not stepping on mats and others' work, thus learning respect and control for their, made easier by the physical and visual boundaries of the mat.

For small group/pair work, children will be sharing the same mat, thus having the opportunity to learn about sharing, taking turns, cooperation and so on. From my (solely parental!) observations, it works well!

[Boernemama]

One of the first lessons ever given in a Montessori classroom is how to roll and unroll a mat. This is a great practical life exercise, especially for the younger ones. TIme is spent rolling up the mat slowly, unrolling it, and then practicing walking around it without stepping on it. Then bringing work to the mat is introduced. We want the children to take ownership of their work. A lot of montessori work is big and needs to be done on the floor so having a space to spread out that is all their own is important. One of the most important things we want the children to learn is how to enjoy the process...choosing their work, setting it up, completing it, and then putting it away. The mat is part of that process. Hope that helps.