ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME FOR CHILDMINDERS

We are very excited to share our experience of running a six week enrichment program for childminders over August and September 2017. After almost a year of preparation, brainstorming ideas and learning from other workshops, Phindi and Lundi facilitated a series of six valuable and informative interactive learning sessions at Hout Bay Montessori with childminders and teaching assistants from the Hout Bay area. The sessions were a huge success, with an opportunity for shared learning, lots of active
participation and loads of fun. Phindi and Lundi shared their experience of studying Montessori and teaching at Hout Bay Montessori.

The content of the six sessions were based on the First Children program of Auburn House Trust. Some of the broader topics covered included understanding the child and understanding the role of adults as teachers and role models, respect, independence, order and freedom from a Montessori perspective.

There was also an opportunity to share, experience and learn more about the approach and the child’s environment at school and in the home. We spend time walking around the Montessori classroom and observing ‘the prepared environment’. Participants had the opportunity to observe Phindi and Lundi demonstrating some of the Montessori activities that the children do in the day and think about what would be useful and fun to reinforce for children at home. It was a wonderful group of ladies, who became very close after six weeks of being together and shared amazing feedback of their experiences and learning.

We felt the objectives had been achieved with participants gaining some practical Montessori tools that can be applied to engaging and stimulating and enjoying life, learning and play with children at home. There was also a focus on the Montessori way when it comes to listening to, collaborating with and enabling children to be their beautiful evolving selves.
​
 - Nicky Bush