This year long series looks at the experiences of teachers, parents, students, and Montessori education itself, as we follow a student through his first year at a Montessori Preschool. The Montessori Insights and Reflections of a Preschool Student’s First Year is a collection of useful stories, tips, and information that has arisen from one real student’s Montessori journey, viewed through the eyes of his Montessori Teacher, Bree Von Nes.

A Humorous Montessori Moment
I would like to share with you a story of what happened today while working with the Montessori Color Tablet Box 1 (red, yellow & blue tablets). Jordan and I had been working with the red, yellow and blue Color Tablets and when it was time to provide a three period name lesson with all the three colors, the funniest thing happened:

• Period 1: Introduction (This is…) I pointed out the three colors while naming each one for Jordan (this is red, this is yellow, this is blue).
• Period 2: Association/Recognition (Show me…) Then I asked Jordan to point out each of the three Color Tablets (show me red, show me yellow, show me blue).
• Period 3: Recall (What is this…?) The final period is confirming the student’s knowledge and asking for the actual name. I pointed to the red Color Tablet and asked, “What is this?” and Jordan gave me the funniest answer:“Teacher Bree, if you don’t know your colors by now, maybe I should be giving you a lesson!”

I had such a hard time keeping a straight face because he said it with such seriousness. Jordan really felt I was asking him to tell me the color because I couldn’t remember what it was……after 18 years of Montessori teaching, that was a first for me!