On Wednesday, in the midst of our fourth week of Acton from Home, our studio launched the day with a discussion on motivation. The guide started off by putting the learners in the shoes of a track runner finishing off the last leg of a 400-meter dash:

Music can be profoundly beneficial to the development of young children. Musical experiences in childhood have not only been linked to increased brain development in academic areas such as mathematics, language acquisition, and reading skills, but also to social-emotional development, the building of confidence, increased creativity, and improved memory functions.

This week, the elementary studio entered uncharted territory: beginning a whole new session remotely. And although there’s no replacement for being in the studio together to embark on a new adventure, guides and learners worked together to use technology to get creative.

Establishing Rhythms and Routines for Acton at Home

At Acton our day is scheduled simply. Below is a snapshot of your learner’s day in the Montessori studio. Keep reading for some tips and take-aways for how to develop your own rhythms and routines at home! 

Keeping Them Moving

Movement is an important aspect of young children’s life and should be a part of their daily living. Gross motor movements involve the use and control of the large muscles in the body. Practicing these skills help children gain strength and confidence in their bodies. Exercise and physical activity are also an important part of any healthy lifestyle. Developing these skills at a young age prepares children for more complex activities in the future, such as playing an organized sport as a part of a team.

I chose to write about a pregnant monkey because of my family. My mom and I would watch a show about this kind of stuff so it got me inspired. I chose a monkey because I act like a monkey at home and I feel like that is the true me. So that is why I wrote about this topic.  

Follow the Learners

Entering week two of Acton from Home, learners were faced with a big question: how can we hold an exhibition while at home? Without a studio, we have no space to decorate and welcome parents to. Without being physically together, how can we celebrate another successful session as a group? And without having physical pieces of work, how can we exhibit what we’ve done?

So, the guides posed the question directly to the learners. What would be the best way to hold our Session 5 exhibition?