gentleness
noun
1. the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.
2. softness of action or effect; lightness.
There are many ways that Montessori Practical Life exercises teach gentleness. What do we mean by gentleness? We mean refined movements, movements that are controlled, light and considered. Think about a child peeling a hard boiled egg, the child is gentle so they remove only the shell and leave as much of the egg as possible. The child is then rewarded with a lovely egg for snack. Think of a child dusting a leaf. If they are gentle the leaf is left glossy and intact. The child gets immediate feedback about the lightness of their touch.
I like to garden with my children as a way to promote quietness, stillness, peacefulness and gentleness. Today my children (who are all home in COVID related isolation) planted their own little succulent pots. Planting succulents also requires concentration and while our days feel busy and loud, these moments of quiet concentration lead to calmer and more satisfied children.
While I'm not fantastic at growing succulents, I like to use them with children as they are easily broken therefore the child learns to be gentle but they are easy to propagate and will regrow. Planting succulents is like creating art, I love their structures with rosettes and plump leaves.
First I gathered our succulent plants for planting and asked Caspar (13yrs) to identify them. I can't guarantee all of the names (above) are correct but it was a good way to pique his interest.
Each child picked out their own pot and planted their little succulents. The advantage of each child having their own pot is that the child can take responsibility for their own plants, and they can see the total of their efforts at the end.
Then it happens automatically. I don't need to tell or ask my three-year-old to be gentle, it just happens. As does concentration and a state of flow.
Those little fingers are being gentle!
Controlled, considered movements.
Then care and responsibility.
The child is rewarded with beautiful plantings.
There are other practical life activities in the garden, indoors or out that promote gentleness including leaf dusting, watering, planting seeds, planting a herb garden. Don't be afraid to try some of these with your young children!