Teacher preparation center (TPC) training in Mae sot

Recently the KLDF Montessori team provided a 3 day in-house Montessori based training to 75 Burmese teachers in Mae sot district. The training focused to provide the teachers with Montessori classroom management skills, understanding the child development periods/stages, creating a beautiful learning environment, being a good role model (teacher) and how to make applicable teaching aids using recycled materials based on the Montessori principles.

A week earlier we collected all the necessary materials like discard card boards, threads, plastic lids/bottles, scrap papers and various natural objects.

Each day we designed some of the Montessori based materials in the math, language and Art. Throughout the training, teachers (participants) portrayed great enthusiasm. Most of them learnt and discovered the importance of using readily available materials found around their surroundings, to make learning aids with less or non-costly materials/object by also implementing the Montessori principles.

The clip below covers the training activities as they took place. Enjoy watching!

Pounding activity



Pounding activity



In Thailand and throughout South-East Asia   – Som tum (green papaya salad) is a classic Thai dish, made from pounding the ingredients using the mortar and pestle. In our Montessori converted classrooms we included this Practical life activity to train the children fine motor skills, concentrate and master the skill of pounding. We began by collecting so many eggshells, rinsed and dried them and brought them to our classrooms.  The children found this activity so exciting, and they all began bringing eggshells from home each day.  

Coordination and concentration

Scooping and transfering the eggshell content

The children enjoy smashing eggshells carefully without dropping any bits! For most of them this is Som tum pounding as they imitated their parents. Later, they use a spoon to transfer the content into a bowl which they extend the activity to a perfect art work by gluing the grounded eggshell dust onto paper.

Likewise, the children sprinkle the egg dust into the flower pots in the classroom environment to enrich the soil.

Most children are familiar with the Practical life activities and are naturally drawn to them through their keen observations. The child watches and copies the parents perform these activities hence grow a desire to experience with them. For children, there is something unique and exciting about the tasks that adults consider ordinary.

These activities also provide the foundation for success in the Montessori classroom, and in addition the child to gain control in the coordination, build independence, self-esteem, increase concentration and adapt to his/her social society. Generally, these activities satisfy the child’s needs for meaningful activity and respond to the child’s special periods for development. (Sensitive periods).

Wonderful Learning Journey

It is that time of the year again when our thoughts, energies and efforts turn towards preparing for the conversion of new Montessori environments. In this school year, we are involved with conversion of 6 new classrooms 2 in Chiang rai and 4 in Mae sot areas with a total of 206 children.

The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for everyone as we meet new friends, new parents, new teachers and new environments. In the Montessori classroom, this is the time for transition and definitely the time when teachers try to settle new children in. Grace and courtesy are always helpful lessons that assist the children to begin build their independence.

At our current 6 classrooms, we spend the first week orienting the children- showing them the various important places around their environment for example where to find drinking water, toilet, places for their shoes and bags etc. We also showed/ demonstrated as well as modeled small group lessons. We emphasized on how to greet a new friend using eye contact, how to say thank you, how to invite a friend among other social relations.

At the moment the children are on a wonderful learning journey and as we all know, Montessori classrooms focuses more on the process than the finished product........ therefore would like to welcome our readers to relax, enjoy and take every moment as we watch the journey unfold.

Please enjoy our before and after classroom setting up video below:

Recent Updates.

The prepared environment goes far beyond child sized furniture and equipment. As Montessori teachers, the first thing is to prepare ourselves so that we may guide and assist the children to learning on their own interests and pace.

Khomloy Montessori project has continued to deliver in-house training to various resident teachers and teacher staff. Recently, we conducted two week Montessori basic training to 22 teachers from different schools and organizations. The training focused on the Montessori philosophy and was also organized to provide the teachers with knowledge to enable them guide the children and be observers with ultimate goal to remain unobtrusive as possible.

Please see some clips of the activities below: 

It was such an exciting moment as the teachers portrayed positive and open minded individuals with a true believe in Montessori philosophy.

Congratulations!

Just graduated!

After an industrious year of hard working we have come to the conclusion of our largest converted Montessori classrooms in Mae sot. Baan Tha aad Montessori children graduated with a colorful ceremony last week. Although it is not a common practice for the pre-school to graduate, this ceremony was meant to mark the end of the school year of children’s time in kindergarten and transition to grade one.

The young students stood happily to recognize this special day with joy and laughter as they celebrated their accomplishments. The ceremony was attended by parents, relatives of the young graduates, friends and teachers who gathered to witness this truly proud day.   



This was also an exceptional great journey for our teacher trainers, and we believe that we have contributed to helping the Burmese migrant children become independent and gain self-confident. Most of them have become passionate learners, and therefore we would like to wish them the very best of luck as they join grade one in the next school year.

Cultural experience - The ASEAN flags.

ASEAN flags

In our recent trip from Mae sot we noticed colorful flags hanging beautifully each town, school and government office that we approached. We had seen the flags before but nothing significant had ever crossed our minds. Yes! We are talking about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – ASEAN flags. This includes ten countries – Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines and Laos. Their main goals include improving the economies of member countries, as well as protecting and peace between the neighboring nations.

Dr. Maria Montessori was a strong advocate of peace education for children, and therefore needed children to develop as members of society and as independent individuals that support not only life but a good way to live.

Besides, ASEAN also calls to come together to ensure their young citizens in the classroom become aware of the many connections that bind them together.



Working with ASEAN flags matching cards

Immediately I imagined how beautiful the children at our classrooms would enjoy exploring the ASEAN community as part of their cultural lesson. I wrote the lesson plan and shared with my colleagues on how we could develop materials for the lesson. We introduced the lesson to a small group of children and later to individual child. We began our study by enriching the children with experience of the culture in which they are familiar before expanding to other cultures and places.

We brought pictures of ASEAN countries and their respective flags.  The flags brought a special attraction to the children. We learnt and discussed each flag as much as the children interests could hold. Later, we noticed the children physically engaging their “hands on material”. Some chose to practice walking carefully on the line with the flags and amazingly most children have mastered the flag’s names and colors as well.

Colouring the Thailand flag

The children have learned to appreciate the similarities and difference found around the ASEAN community, by recognizing the uniqueness found in food, music, greetings, holidays or festival celebrations, animals, plants, landforms, special religion or culture traditions as they make comparisons of their lifestyles with others. The lesson has also promoted an understanding to value difference in dressing, color, thoughts and physical appearance among others. The children have become more positive in their social skills approach in appreciating and strengthening their friendship with their peers and teachers from the ASEAN community and other countries in the world.

Happy New Year - 2014!

Happy new year and a warm welcome to our readers. I hope you had a restful holiday. Now we are back, and we would like to thank you for reading and following our previous blogs.

As we take time to appreciate what the new year brings, we intend to take you through a series of activities and happenings at our Montessori project this year. First we are happy to mention most of the students at our various Montessori converted classrooms have internalized in their works and a commendable number of them have mastered their number operations and reading simple Thai sentences with much ease. We have also added more advanced works on our shelves to cater for the children development interests and challenge them too.

The second week of the January we had so much fun sharing gifts on the national children’s day celebrations which is observed allover Thailand.

This year we expect to increase the number of the current over 50 converted classrooms in our project to 6 more new classrooms at both Chiang rai and Mae sot areas. We also anticipate to network with other organizations and expand the Montessori project inside Burma and the environs.

Best wishes to all and keep reading our updates this year…

Thanks

Baby Parami - At Parami Migrant School

“The greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth” – Dr. Maria Montessori

At Parami migrant school, one of our Montessori converted classroom- Say Plo the lead teacher brought her 3 months old daughter for the entire November month in the classroom.

Baby Parami

The children had followed through the entire pregnancy period and were made aware of the presence of the new member into classroom community the following term. At first Say Plo was concerned that the baby may distract the classroom, but it has been a beautiful experience for everyone in the classroom since the baby generally naps thus enabling Say Plo guide and observe the children in their lessons as usual.

Baby Parami napping while the students carry out their usual activities.

The baby has brought in a composition of calmness in the atmosphere. The children have become more and more aware of this little tiny member in community and have nicknamed her “Baby Parami”. Throughout the school days the children rocks her, sing to her and even sit quietly next to her. The bonding is so amazing! The baby has become like a measure for the voice levels in the classroom and has also helped the children develop self-discipline.

“Special care should be shown for the psychic life of the newborn child.  If it already has such a life at birth, how much greater will this be as it grows older?  If we understand by ‘education’ a child’s psychic rather than its intellectual development, we may truly say, as it is said today, that a child’s education should begin at birth.” The Secret of Childhood – the new born

Mealtimes at Baan Tha Aad School

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that mealtimes are excellent learning opportunity for children. Every mealtime is a chance to practice the many valuable grace and courtesies that helps the children to participate in social meals out in public and in the future. 


Children serving & passing food to their peers

 

During my recent observation at Baan Tha Aad Montessori converted classroom in Mae sot, the teacher rung her small bell and the children got ready to wash their hands. In a moment the children sat cross legged in a line facing each other. I noticed the grace of movement as some students took turns to serve and pass the food to their peers and the usage of please and thank you words. This really inspired us to sit and share this practical life experience with them. Soon, when everyone got seated we said a short prayer and enjoyed our meals.



Seated ready to have their meals











Two weeks Montessori Training at Parami Learning Centre, Mae Sot

During the month of March, 2013, KLDF welcomed two new volunteers to support their Montessori Projects in schools: Ria Hidveghy, from London, England, who will be based mostly in Mae Sot and Jenna Anderson from the US, who will is currently working at Bayan, our network school in Pai and will be helping us with the next Montessori project in Chiang Rai later in April.   

Also, Khom Loy is pleased to have on board three Thai Montessori Teacher Trainers : Kwanrutai, Nalinthip and Auiporn.  All will participate in the forthcoming training to be held in Chaing Rai later this month.

The academic year at the Burmese Parami Learning Centre, Mae Sot, ended  with a two week training course, between March 11 – 22^nd , led by Diyanti (Silo) Tumada and supported by Ria Hidveghy.   

Six teachers from Parami Learning Centre and two teachers from Hsa Mu Htaw attended the first week’s theoretical training, which focused on an overall theme of ‘Communication’, covering different features on a daily basis. 

One of these aspects included Discipline in the Montessori Classroom - how it can be achieved, without an authoritative figure or using techniques for controlling behaviour.  One of the main reasons of success in the Montessori classroom is freedom within the limits of very clear ground rules, which, when simplified, results in “be respectful of everyone and of everything”.

Participants also learnt strategies in providing young children techniques to independently resolve their own conflicts.  One of the examples was demonstrated by the use of the ‘Montessori Peace Rose.’

Another feature covered was the Environment – and the ways in which the qualities of the Montessori approach could be applied for any classroom.  Some suggestions put forward for the KG A/B classes were the introduction of plants, to observe nature inside and outside.  Requests could be made for the children/their parents/ teachers and staff to donate a growing plant, however small, to allow the children to care for them.  Additionally, by providing each class with their own set of cleaning materials (bin, brush and pan) the children would be encouraged to be responsible for their learning environment.

Furthermore, the KG teachers agreed that they would try and include a Circle Time in their daily schedule, in order to educate the children, in simple ground rules, teaching lessons that demonstrate socially acceptable behaviour and these special skills are taught through the Montessori Grace and Courtesy lessons.  Also, the teaching of the names of the weekdays and months of the year, using the classroom calendars made during the practical activities week would be another positive aspect to incorporate into their favourable learning environment. 

Group preparing teaching materials.

The final topic of the week’s theory was Parental Involvement and ways in which parents can be included in their child’s school life.  Some of the ideas proposed included:  Parent observations – encourage visits to the classroom - concrete evidence of work completed that the child can take home (not to be seen as junk        material) -  Parent workshop day/session - Child assessment/observations and also a Newsletter, which was drafted out in the session by the teachers following an example provided for them.

Teachers creating the Burmese Language materials

During the second week of training, the Burmese teachers were joined by five teachers from the Baan Tha Aad and two from Baan Mae Tao Pae Schools. All were occupied with creating and demonstrating the Montessori materials for the Burmese language to be used for the next Montessori project in the above schools starting in May 2013.

Burmese Sandpaper Letters prepared by the teachers during the practical week.

Yin Min Soe presenting a Three-Period Lesson using the Montessori Burmese Language material

The training session concluded with everyone sharing and exchanging songs and rhymes, both in Burmese and Thai languages, with one or two provided in English!  

Burmese teaching staff demonstrating one of their Circle Time Songs.