Our world is extremely noisy. As you sit in your home you might hear the television, music, video games, phones, and a number of appliances running. The top selling toys are the ones that light up and make some kind of noise! Outside there is noise from traffic, emergency sirens, planes, trains & wildlife. Noise surrounds us and our children. To experience silence is rare!
Maria Montessori developed The Silence Game to test the hearing of children. The game was simple; the children were led to be quiet and then to LISTEN. From the other side of a door she would very quietly call their name and they would then come to her. The children loved this game so much that it became part of her Montessori Method of education.
There are many different forms of the Silence Game. I practiced making silence with my students for many years! Once I began this practice it completely changed the dynamics of my classroom. The children truly seemed calm, peaceful, and were able to focus on their work that they had chosen.
We began every day with a short time on the circle/ellipse. I would place my folded hands together above my head and very slowly and deliberately I would pull my hands down into my lap as the children followed my lead. Then we would all slowly breathe in and out with our eyes closed. We would do this for approximately 1 minute, just breathing with our eyes closed. This takes great effort on the part of the children, but aided them in developing self-control as well as self-discipline. I would then whisper “You may open your eyes.” Slowly I would make contact with everyone in the group and then whisper, “You may raise your hand when you have thought of a work that you would like to do.” I would then nod at them to come to me and they would whisper in my ear what they would like to work on. Each person would tiptoe and lay out their mat and begin their work. Our entire morning was not silent and that is not something I aspire to obtain, but I did like how we began our day focused and calm. I do allow the children to work together and there is always freedom in their movements and socializations throughout the work time - as long as they do not interrupt another person’s work.
One morning we had school photos taken so we were running late. That morning I made the decision to just allow the children to begin their work without thinking about it first or creating silence. About mid-way through our work time a boy who is always very talkative with everyone in class came over to me and said, “Mrs. Herrington, I cannot think because we did not make 'Silence' this morning!” This boy who always had boundless energy needed his daily dose of silence! So, we created Silence!
I hope that you will read and learn more about Maria Montessori’s silent game. There are many different variations. Here are I few that I use:
- Have the children walk toe to heel silently while trying to carry a small bell without allowing it to ring.
- Create silence in your group. Then quietly ask the children to tell you what they heard in the silence.
- I have a framed photo of a child’s silhouette holding their finger to their lips and underneath it is the word “Silent.” I use this sometimes when our classroom’s noise level becomes too great. I simply hold it up and we all work and move silently for 3 to 5 minutes during our work time. It is like magic!
- I have a booklet on "Creating Silence." It takes the child through the necessary steps needed for creating silence, thereby allowing the child to be calm and peaceful in their environment.
A few silent moments every day are so beneficial. It is relaxing and calming for the children, and it allows them to develop the ability to control their body and their mind. Try unplugging things that make noise in your home and creating some silence - I think you will love it!
Read more about Maria Montessori's silent game in The Montessori Method pages 209-211.