Carrying a Chair

8 months ago · Updated 8 months ago

The Montessori activity of Carrying a Chair is a fundamental part of the Practical Life curriculum, promoting independence and care in young learners.

Benefits of Montessori Carrying a Chair

Montessori Principles of Carrying a Chair

How to Present the Carrying a Chair activity

Young boy in overalls happily carrying a wooden chair, illustrating the Montessori Practical Life skill of carrying furniture properly. — This activity helps develop gross motor skills and coordination as the child learns to lift, carry, and place a chair carefully and precisely.

📏 Range Age: 2.5 - 6 years (activity should be adjusted based on the child's age and skill level).

🧠 Prerequisites: Practical Life Activities (Carrying a Tray, Walking on the Line), Language Activities (vocabulary building activities for instructions and spatial awareness), Cognitive Activities (understanding of balance and careful movement)
🛠️ Enhancement Skills: Practical Life Skills (developing coordination and balance), Cognitive Development (spatial awareness, following a sequence of actions), Fine Motor Skills (grasping and lifting techniques, controlled movement).

This article explores the value of this activity within the Montessori method and offers tips for parents to encourage and support their children in mastering this skill at home.

Content

What is the Montessori Activity of Carrying a Chair?
Benefits of Carrying a Chair
Purpose of Carrying a Chair in Montessori
Direct Aim
Indirect Aim
Control of Error
Point of Interest
How to Present the Montessori Carrying a Chair activity?
References

What is the Montessori Activity of Carrying a Chair?

In Montessori classrooms, carrying a chair is one of the first Practical Life exercises that children learn. This activity teaches them how to lift, move, and place chairs safely and efficiently.

It not only aids in the development of physical coordination but also instills a sense of responsibility and respect for the classroom environment.

Benefits of Carrying a Chair

Introducing children to the Montessori activity of Carrying a Chair offers several developmental benefits:

🏋️ Physical Coordination: Enhances gross motor skills by requiring children to balance and manage the weight of the chair.
🔄 Order and Precision: Fosters an understanding of spatial awareness and the need for precise movements.
🙇 Concentration: Encourages prolonged focus as children must pay attention to their movements and the space around them.
👫 Social Skills: Teaches respect and consideration for others by managing personal space and classroom furniture without causing disruption.
🏡 Independence: Empowers children by enabling them to contribute to setting up their learning spaces.

Purpose of Carrying a Chair in Montessori

The primary purpose of this activity is to help children gain control over their own movements and to understand the impact of their actions within their environment.

Direct Aim

The direct goal is to develop children's ability to carry furniture safely and independently, which is crucial for classroom management and personal responsibility.

Indirect Aim

Indirectly, the activity prepares children for more complex tasks requiring balance, coordination, and careful movement.

Control of Error

The control of error is naturally integrated through the immediate feedback from noise, dropping the chair, bumping into objects, or tipping the chair. These indicators prompt the child to adjust their grip and maneuvering. Teachers and parents enhance learning by demonstrating correct handling techniques and ensuring the chairs are appropriately sized for the children, thus guiding them in managing the chair safely and effectively.

Point of Interest

The ability to participate actively in setting up or rearranging a learning environment by carrying a chair horizontally or sliding it without touching the table edge can be highly engaging for children. This involvement offers them a tangible sense of accomplishment and belonging, as they contribute to organizing their space.

By mastering the skill of carrying a chair, children gain a sense of independence and self-reliance, enabling them to participate more actively in their environment.

How to Present the Montessori Carrying a Chair activity?

Materials

An open area, providing a safe and unobstructed space where children can practice moving and placing a chair without encumbrances.
A child-sized chair, designed to be light enough for a child to carry easily, allowing them to learn and practice the proper technique for lifting and moving furniture safely.

The following instructions are montessori presentation of Carrying a Chair:

Presentation

Initiate Engagement: Invite the child or a group of children to participate, setting a cooperative tone for the activity.
Demonstration of Preparation: Show the child how to gently slide a chair back from the table, emphasizing gentle handling.
Proper Positioning: Stand beside the chair and demonstrate how to pick it up by holding the back and front edges securely.
Lifting Technique: Carefully lift the chair to waist level, maintaining a stable grip and balanced posture.
Walking with the Chair: Walk to a predetermined point, showing how to move smoothly and steadily while carrying the chair.
Placing the Chair Down: Gently place the chair on the floor, lowering one leg at a time to minimize noise and ensure stability.
Releasing the Chair: Show the correct way to release your hold on the chair once it is securely placed.
Returning the Chair: Reverse the steps to return the chair to its original position under the table. Demonstrate how to push the chair in, making sure to leave a small space between the chair and the table for easy future movement.
Inviting Participation: Encourage the child or children to come forward and practice carrying a chair, providing guidance and support as needed.

Vocabulary

Chair - "This is a chair."
Lift - "Lift the chair gently."
Hold - "Hold the chair firmly."
Carry - "Carry the chair to where we need it."
Legs - "Grab the chair by its legs."
Back - "Hold the back of the chair."
Walk - "Walk slowly with the chair."
Place - "Place the chair down gently."
Balance - "Keep the chair balanced."
Careful - "Be careful as you move the chair."

Progressive Extensions

Carrying a chair while walking the line
Carrying a chair while walking through a maze of objects

Variations & Extentions

Variations

Introduce different types of chairs or furniture of varying sizes and weights to adapt to the child’s growing abilities and to challenge their handling skills.
Incorporate an obstacle course where children need to navigate around cones or markers while carrying the chair, enhancing their spatial awareness and coordination.
Modify the activity by having children work in pairs to lift and carry larger or heavier chairs, promoting teamwork and communication skills.

Extension

Extend the activity to setting up a classroom or dining area, where children are responsible for arranging the chairs around tables appropriately, applying the skills learned in a practical context.
Introduce the concept of sorting chairs by color or size after carrying them to the designated area, integrating cognitive tasks with physical activity.
Encourage older children to teach younger ones how to carry chairs properly, fostering leadership skills and peer learning.

Recommendations

Ensure that all chairs used in the activity are in good repair and appropriately sized for the children involved to prevent accidents or injuries.
Continuously supervise the children during the activity to provide immediate assistance or correction if a child struggles with the proper technique.
Reinforce the importance of careful handling and respect for materials before and after the activity to cultivate a sense of responsibility and care for the classroom environment.

References

Montessori, M. (1973). The Formation of Man. Madras: Theosophical Publishing House. pp. 65-80.
Kramer, R. (1988). Maria Montessori: A Biography. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. pp. 140-155.
Classroom and school practice - National Center for Montessori in the Pub lic Sector

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Hi! I'm Chris Palomino, a B.S. in Psychology, and a mother of a precious one-year-old girl. Over the past eight years, I've been guiding children, particularly those aged 3 to 6 facing developmental and learning challenges, with a special focus on autism and ADHD.

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