Reframing Chores as Community Service
A recent New York Times article, Happy Children Do Chores, caught my eye this week. Here are a couple of quotes from the article that caught my attention:
“One small longitudinal study, done over a period of 25 years, found that the best predictor for young adults’ success in their mid-20’s was whether they participated in household tasks at age 3 or 4. Those early shared responsibilities extended to a sense of responsibility in other areas of their lives.”
“The goal, after all, is not to raise children we can coddle into the Ivy League. The goal is to raise adults who can balance a caring role in their families and communities with whatever lifetime achievement goals they choose. Chores teach that balance. They’re not just chores – they’re life skills.”
As Montessorians, we agree! “Chores” are framed as classroom community responsibilities, tasks or jobs. These are verbally encouraged in EC classrooms and visually displayed in Elementary classrooms; they are also considered part of the Practical Life/Living Curriculum. Older infants and toddlers love to do what they see the adults in their life doing; they just need appropriate-sized “tools” and environmental accommodations so they can help. So…your children have already had “lessons” and daily experience in this area that can be applied at home. It also aligns with helping our children develop into adults who are socially responsible and productive, caring community citizens, which are attributes of interdependence in TMA’s Portrait of a Graduate.
I believe family is a child’s first community and every member of the family should share in the “work” of the family. I also know that community service can be both a requirement and involve a degree of choice; not whether it’s done, but what is done.
Ask your child’s teacher for more information on how the system operates in the classroom, what your child has shown interest in doing at school, and coaching on how to continue this at home. They’d love to share!
-- Pam
|
Read Tomorrow's Child Online
One of the benefits of being a member of our community is your free membership in The Montessori Family Alliance which provides online access to the current Tomorrow's Child magazine and a searchable database of every article in Tomorrow's Child so you can find information at a moment's notice. Please create your account to take advantage of this benefit.
Pick Up Reminder
Please remember to call the front office if you are running late to pick up your child at the end of the school day. If you are not here when carline ends, staff members have been instructed to sign children into Extended Day for drop-in care, for which there is a $20 fee.
Update Your Contact Information
Please review your demographic data on ParentsWeb to ensure we have accurate information for your family. Please review your address, phone numbers, emergency contacts, and transportation contact information so we can reach you when necessary and release your child(ren) only to those who are authorized.
Staff Appreciation Committee - Earn Community Service Hours!
Staff Appreciation was created by parents to show how much we appreciate all that the teachers and staff at TMA do for our kids! We provide either breakfast or lunch for the staff. This will be on the 2nd Friday of the month from September to May. A SignUp Genius will be created for each month for volunteer use. Please keep a look out. If anyone would like to help create the sign ups, let me know!
-- Lisa Rebstock
After School Activities
After school activities will begin after Labor Day! Some providers have given us information and we are still gathering details from others. A current list is now available online and will be updated as new information is received.
Please remember, we will no longer be able to collect payments at the front desk for after school activities. Program providers should instruct parents on how they will collect payment for their services.
Reading Partner Training
Tuesday, August 28, 9:00-10:00 am
Would you like to help our Toddler and Early Childhood students grow to become voracious readers? If so, please join us for Reading Partner Training on Tuesday, August 28, from 9:00-10:00 am. Please RSVP to Ashley and let the reading begin!
Labor Day School Holiday, No Class or Holiday Care
Monday, September 3
We want to remind you that there is no school or Holiday Care on Monday, September 3, in observance of Labor Day.
Backyard Bash Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 4, 8:30 am
We will have the second meeting for the Backyard Bash at TMA on Tuesday, September 4, at 8:30 am, after drop off. I have created a private Facebook group so we can include information for parents who cannot attend the meetings. Just click on the link, then click Join, and you will be automatically accepted. We need all of the help we can get!
-- Lisa Rebstock
Grandparent's Day
Friday, September 7
Elementary—8:30, 9:20, 10:10, or 11:00 am
Early Childhood—11:30 am - 12:15 pm
We invite grandparents to visit their grandchildren in our Early Childhood and Elementary programs:
Please have grandparents stop by the front desk to obtain a visitor sticker, then we will guide them to the appropriate classroom. We are sure the children will love to see their grandparents at school!
Little Medical School at TMA
September 8,15, & 22, 1:00-3:00 pm
A parent has organized an opportunity for Extension and Elementary students to participate in the Little Medical School's the ABC's of Dog Care program at TMA. The class will meet for two hours on 3 Saturdays in September and the cost is $150 per child. You can sign up online to participate.
Download Upcoming Events Directly to your Calendar
|