First weeks at Nursery School. Young Child Observations in a Montessori Nursery by Florence Daligault, with Commentary by Simonetta Adamo and Trudy Klauber

Abstract

My Young Child Observation took place in a nursery whose 26 children were grouped in three sections according to age. The Nursery followed the Montessori method and the teacher, Catherine, was supported by Marie-Laure, the teaching assistant. The classroom was large, with a patio where the children could do gardening. There were many small, individual tables, some of which were put together to create small islands. Learning materials and toys were on trays kept on the shelves which lined the walls of the room. The observations took place on Tuesday morning between 9 and 10 am. The extracts presented below cover the period from the fi rst week of the new school year until the Autumn Half Term holiday at the beginning of November.