To get into the new year, let’s take stock of where we are at and how we can support our child’s development going forward.
So I’ve put together some questions for you to ponder what you learned last year and to consider what you would like to take into the new year.
Note: None of the following reflections are “bad” or “good” it is just where we are at or where our child is at or where another person is at right now. Give grace to yourself, your child and others.
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- Your child’s social development
What have you observed this year in their relationships?
What is going well?
Which area do they still need to develop skills? Eg, conflict resolution skills, waiting their turn
How can you support this? Eg, grace & courtesy lessons, modelling, responding kindly, clearly and predictably
- Your child’s social development
- Your child’s language development
What have you observed this year in their language and communication?
What is going well?
Which area do they still need to develop skills? Eg, building vocabulary, comprehension, making sounds
How can you support this? Eg, playing question games, writing notes for them to read, offering new vocabulary, books, poetry etc
- Your child’s cognitive development
What have you observed them learning/ understanding/making sense of this year? What are/ were their interests?
Observe concentration – eg, where they concentrate best, what breaks their concentration
What is going well?
Which area do they still need to develop skills?
How can you support this?
- Your child’s emotional development
What have you observed this year? How do they manage in difficult situations? What makes them laugh/cry/get frustrated/angry/etc?
What is going well?
Which area do they still need to develop skills? Eg, regulating their nervous system
How can you support this? Eg, modelling, co-regulating, lending our nervous system to them
- Your child’s motor development
What have you observed this year? Eg, fine motor, crossing the mid-line, gross motor
What is going well?
Which area do they still need to develop skills? Eg, developing hand strength, pincer grip, swinging on bars, riding a bike
How can you support this? Eg, making time for movement, providing rich opportunities, keeping screens out of sight
- Your home
How does the home environment support their development? Eg, having things accessible, child-sized for success, being creative using what we have
What can be improved? Eg, decluttering, more storage, sell or donate unwanted items, making things attractive and inviting, meeting their interests and needs
Are there any obstacles to be removed?
- Yourself
What has worked well?
What could be improved?
How can you treat yourself kindly as you do with your child?
How do you regulate your nervous system when you get dysregulated?
What is bringing you joy?
How can you take care of yourself so you can help your child and others?
- Others
Who are your primary partners raising your child? Eg, school, partner, grandparents, friends, scout leaders, sports coaches, daycare
What is going well?
What could be improved?
What is the best method of communication with each partner?
Do they feel appreciated? Do they experience joy?
How can you support them?
I hope this review helps you to come to some new insights and perhaps help you to think about the year ahead too.
Article Source: A Montessori year-end review – you, your child & your family – The Montessori Notebook
