Taking pictures in Montessori classrooms

One of the things I try so hard in the classroom when working with the children, is helping them to maintain the concentration on their task rather than focus their attention on what I am doing or somebody else is doing. That is our priority since children are doing mostly independent work during their routine. Also social interactions get more interesting if it happens without an adult participation when not needed.

As a teacher, I know parents are always seeking information as to what their child did in class that day-they get frustrated when they ask their child and the response is: "nothing".

So photos had become one tool for teachers to use to maintain parents updated.

I witness lot of wonderful moments where children naturally express their social skills like their empathy or sense of positive leadership when interacting with younger friends. I would love parents to see their child being a positive leader that can help other child or the environment. Sometimes I run to get my phone to document that moment.... and I try to catch the moment as natural as possible, ...but sometimes I interrupt the moment :( .... and think maybe I ruined a bigger moment, maybe I shouldn't do it.

The next day, I have a parent asking me what their child did at school, and I recognize parents need to know, and I promise myself next time I will take that picture from a place children will not notice or acknowledge my action.