In Montessori education, it’s important that children aren’t interrupted so they can complete their work cycle and develop the ability to concentrate for longer periods of time. It’s also important that Montessori teachers and homeschool teachers are allowed to present lessons and work with children individually without unnecessary interruptions.
Here are some ideas for managing interruptions in your Montessori classroom or homeschool:
Demonstrate to your children what is expected. A helpful technique is to have a child touch you on the shoulder if he or she needs help. Touch the child’s hand or arm to acknowledge his or her presence. The child then waits quietly until you can help the child.
You’ll typically need to give a number of lessons on this with lots of role-playing opportunities.
When a child forgets to put a hand on your shoulder, you should pat your shoulder to remind the child and continue the conversation without making eye contact with the child.
For older children, you can use the “Three Before Me” technique. With that, a child must ask at least three peers for help before asking the teacher for help. In a homeschool, you could have one or two siblings designated as the person to ask before you. Of course, if you only have two children, your child will simply need to wait quietly until you’re finished working with your other child.
If there’s a situation that can’t wait, teach your children to say “Excuse me” before interrupting you.
For very young children, you could have them work at a rug on the floor or at a child-sized table right next to you when you’re working with an older child. In a homeschool, you can practice baby wearing with infants and toddlers during times when you need to work with an older child. And sometimes a toddler can sit on your lap or next to you while you’re working with an older child.
If a child interrupts you or other children, you could use redirecting or gluing. Using logical consequences is another helpful technique in situations where a child interrupts. For example, a child who interrupts circle time might need to sit away from the group until he or she is ready to rejoin the group and participate cooperatively.
Which technique/s have worked best for you in helping manage interruptions?
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Yes. I do adopt the technique of teaching children to excuse me before if I am busy. Also during circle time asking the child to move away from the group until their ready. However chilren with ADD and ADHd it doesn’t work. They love to be alone and distract the other children. This doesn’t work with such children.
I really like the idea of “three before me” concept. I think this is great. Thank u for posting this. I really enjoy your site. I check it everyday before I start work
Thanks so much for your comment, Lilamani! It’s true that children with ADD and ADHD often need additional attention beyond what works well for most children. I’ll add a few links to the comment below.
Hi, love this site. so helpful. Just looking for any advise for add/adhd children. Ive tried lots of different things and what might work today will not work tomorrow in regards to helping manage behaviour/tantrum.
Thank you in advance
Tracy
Thanks for your kind words, Tracy! ADD and ADHD children do present unique challenges. I think the clear demonstrations of appropriate behavior, orderly environment, practical life activities, and consistency offered in a Montessori classroom or at home are helpful. I think communicating through techniques like those from Parent Effectiveness Training are helpful as well. Although my children didn’t have ADD or ADHD, here’s a post I wrote about P.E.T. and other techniques we used in our homeschool which work well in a Montessori environment: https://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/09/16/how-we-used-gentle-discipline-in-our-homeschool/. Relaxation techniques can also be helpful. Here are links to two articles about relaxation techniques for kids with ADD/ADHD: http://school.familyeducation.com/learning-disabilities/treatments/37812.html and http://www.stressfreekids.com/articles/decrease-adhd/. I hope those help!
Thank you so much Deb, this is a great help. I work with 8 children 4yrs old, one who is undiagnosed add/adhd, a lot of his behaviour would be to do with his home environment too. I really appreciate your quick response and i will be trying these techniques. Thanks again, Tracy (Ireland)
You’re welcome, Tracy! I hope you have good luck with the techniques!
Wow, you know, I actually read this twice, because this is great advice! Soooooo many children are not taught how to WAIT! Ughhh. For heavens sake, sometimes I have to shush my teen daughter, still! (Of course I did teach her, but you know, teens loose things in their brains around that age. )
🙂
Thanks so much, Sheila! It is interesting that teenagers often need new reminders. I especially like the “Three Before Me” technique for the older children who need an interruption refresher!
Lots of great ideas here that I can use at the preschool I teach at!! I use redirecting all the time.
Thanks, Betsy! That is definitely an important technique – one I’ve used more times than I can count! 🙂
Hi Deb,
Isn’t it interesting that these techniques are the same ones I had to use when I was teaching high school, and these students were 14-17yrs old! I agree with Sheila, sometimes the students just didn’t seem to notice that other things were going on around them.
I also tried to encourage them to investigate three other possible solutions before asking me for help. This is particularly important for girls, who in my experience are more inclined to ask for teacher assistance sooner.
I think teaching a child to have patience and perseverance is one of the most important skills we can help them develop. Good social and emotional intelligence is so very important in order to function successfully as an adult.
Kate
Thanks so much for your comment, Kate! It is interesting that many of the same techniques can be used in preschool and high school! I know I used Parent Effectiveness Training techniques and logical consequences throughout my kids’ childhoods! I love your idea of having kids investigate three other possible solutions before asking for help! 🙂
We are working on excuse me at our house.
It’s great that you’re working on that during the preschool years – perfect time to introduce etiquette techniques! 🙂
Hi Deb. I like the ideas you shared on your post. I have been thinking to use homeschool for my 2 year old daughter since she’s too young to enroll on a preschool. I hope you can share some lessons i could use at her age. Also, if you have time today please visit my blog. I am welcoming guest post submission and I hope you can share your ideas about Homeschool. Thank you.
Mom Blog
Thanks, Elizabeth! I have links to lots of Montessori-oriented activities in my Activity of the Week posts: https://livingmontessorinow.com/category/activity-of-the-week/. You might also find the posts about Montessori homeschool classroom and materials helpful: https://livingmontessorinow.com/category/montessori-homeschool-classroom-and-materials/. I especially recommend focusing on practical life and sensorial activities at your daughter’s age. Have fun! 🙂
I never knew that there was a specific thing called “three before me” rule but I like it! My son’s class does this and I think it’s great. Back when I was in school it was so different. Very happy that the education my son recieves is so much better. Found you on the blogfrog.
Thanks for your comment! It’s great that your son’s class does that! I always love hearing that schools are using positive behavior management techniques! 🙂
hi again Deb. thank you for visiting my blog and to your tips and encouragement. i’m researching tools like books, more education toys, etc to be used. we will have a short out of town vacation, afterwards, i will set up everything. i will continue reading your post, i followed you:) to get more ideas from you.
Mom Blog
It sounds like you’re off to a great start, Elizabeth! Thanks so much for following me! 🙂