A Child-Led Outing
Turn a simple errand into a child-led and planned responsibility.
“When the child goes out, it is the world that offers itself to him. Let us take the child out to show him real things instead of making objects which represent ideas and closing them up in the cupboards.”
DR. MARIA MONTESSORI - FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADOLESCENCE
In a Montessori Elementary classroom, children participate in a “going-out.”
This is an outside of the classroom errand that serves a project or activity they are working on in the classroom. The going-out process is planned by the children from beginning to end. Planning the destination, mapping the route, scheduling the timing, calling ahead if needed. For example, a child who might be studying or practicing woodwork may need a trip to home depot to buy the supplies needed. Or further research on a particular subject may require a library outing to gather additional books for information.
Through these outings, children sharpen their reasoning and logic skills, analyzes possible risks, mitigates organization needed for success and ultimately builds confidence and self-esteem. In your own family, you can offer your child the opportunity to plan a similar outing when it will further their independent and self-directed activities of choice.
A friend recently shared with me a story in which her 7 year old daughter became intent on making rice krispie treats. She invited her daughter to research which ingredients were needed, create a shopping list and proceeded to drive her to the store. While waiting in the car (with the need to nurse her infant), she observed from afar as her 7 year old, accompanied by her younger 5 year old sister made their way from the parking lot into the store.
Equipped with the cash needed, they later told her how they read the aisle descriptors to track down the cereal, marsh mellows and other foods needed. The exercise of self-direction, purpose and independence furthered their confidence and ability to handle themselves in the greater community, interacting carefully with others and navigating a new experience on their own. This will undoubtedly boost their esteem and self-awareness of capability to be able to take on future tasks without the dependency of adults.
Other ways to encourage your child’s management of tasks scaffolded in a way to ease their comfort level:
-During a family outing, trust your child to use the public bathroom on their own.
-Ask your child to do the family ordering at a restaurant, or order-at-the-counter spot.
-Have them create the list needed for any store run- hardware stores, markets, Target, CVS, etc. and then assist in sending them to gather the items on their own. How to involve your child in grocery shopping.
-Rely on your child to handle the money at the grocery store or farmer’s market and practice budgeting so they can determine what purchases they can allot for.
-Invite them to map out directions so they can direct you (as the driver) to arrive at a destination.
-Similarly, follow blindly as your child navigates a public transportation system.