(We learn together)
November 2021 | By Flip White
An update from the non-profit Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h (We learn together).
We would like to provide a brief description of the Montessori teaching method and try to answer, “What is Montessori and how is it relevant to language learning?”
Dr. Maria Montessori believed that no human being is educated by another person. She must do it herself or it will never be done. An educated individual continues learning long after the time spent in the classroom because she in motivated from within by a natural curiosity and love for knowledge. Dr. Montessori concluded, “The goal of early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts but rather to cultivate her own natural desire to learn.”
A portion of the Ganösesge:kha He:nödeyë:stha’s Mission statement reads, “We are committed to fostering a child’s love of learning and respect for self, others, and the environment through the methodologies of Montessori.” Continuing along the goals of Montessori include fostering and encouraging natural curiosity within our children and developing and promoting a positive attitude towards school and learning in order to create life-long learners.
In her writings, Dr. Montessori compared the young mind to a sponge noting the mind literally absorbs information from the environment. She continues, “The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when intelligence itself is being formed.
Dr. Benjamin Bloom writes, “From conception to age 4, the individual develops 50% of their mature intelligence, from ages 4 to 8 she/he develops another 30%.
This process is particularly evident in the way in which a two year-old learns his/her native language; without formal instruction and without the conscious, tedious effort that an adult must make to master their heritage language. Acquiring information in this way is a natural and delightful activity for the young child who employs all his/her senses to investigate his interesting surroundings.
“Must haves’ for language learning is the involvement of parents and it Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h’s position is that the best start point (strategy) becomes the young from birth to six years of age.
The home environment in combination with parent’s reinforcement is crucial to language learning success.
We strongly suggest parents and others interested in learning take a good look at senecalanguage.com. Here you will find layer up layer of language resources. There are printed resources, Memrise, language posters, dictionaries, audio, and language guides available for use in your home. Kudos to the Seneca Nation Language department and the at-large language community for their hard work, contributions, and dedication.
Language revitalization is a process and will take time and commitment but is within our reach. Do you know that there is a growing number young parents who are using ‘everyday, conversational’ language with their children in their homes? They are proof that language revitalization is ‘way more’ than possible, it is being done!
We will forever continue to encourage others to get involved.
Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h is sponsoring a Pendleton Blanket raffle. This beautiful blanket is on display at Nearly New along with tickets for you to purchase. Tickets are $10.00 each. The drawing will be held December 15th. The blanket has a retail value of $329 and with the holidays just around the corner and will make a wonderful gift for someone.
Agwadeyësta’ Do:gë:h is grateful and appreciative of the community’s on-going support. We:so nya:wëh.
Almost forgot! On December 11th from 12 noon to 4 pm, over at Nearly New, we will be hosting our 2nd Annual Soupz and Biscuitz event. This event is our way of giving back to the entire community, our customers, supporters, and donors. How does it work? Just come on by that day and grab some delicious soups (we will have 6 to choose from) along with ‘mountain high, homemade, ‘oh so good’ biscuits. If interested in baking some of those award winning biscuitz or making an ’out of this world’ soup, please text and leave a message at 716-244-0431, we’ll get back to you. Everything is no charge and we will also be having cash prizes. Last year’s event was a tremendous success and we are planning to make this year’s Soupz and Biscuitz event bigger and better. Put the date on your calendar, swing on by, warm up with some delicious soup and do a little shopping at Nearly New. We have something for everyone! What’s that guy say in the commercial? “We’ll leave the lights on for you!” Hope you can make it.
One final word. We are in need of additional volunteers. If interested, please stop by Nearly New and let us know. Nearly New’s service delivery is casual and fun. Come and join our team!
