page 1  page 2  page 3

This is an article by a Montessorian I found online. Unfortunately, it was quoted by someone else, who did not credit the source. I have emailed her to get the source, but have not heard back, to date. I love it anyway! Here it is: Mary

Control of Movement

When I was 9 years old, I remember that it was my job to go to the henhouse and gather eggs. If you have ever done this, you know that you cannot rush in. (You want to be careful not to upset the hens.) As you open the creaking door, you see the sunlight streaming in from between the planks of wood that make up the walls. Dust is dancing on the light. I remember that every cell in my body was on high alert. It smells like hay and chickens. As you reach into the nesting box, you have to control your hands to move not too fast and not too slow, or you are sure to get pecked. The rooster struts at your feet. You talk softly to the chicken and thank her and tell her that the eggs will help to feed your hungry little sisters and brothers. The hen settles down and stops her protests. When you finally reach under her soft feathers, it is as hot as an oven. You thank her again, but still move slowly, because you must make sure to place the egg gently into the basket. And there are twenty more hens to go...

This was one of the images that popped into my mind when I read Montessori's philosophies on sensorial training and control of movement.