Milo is such a focused little dude. At seven years old, he will read intently for hours, completely quiet and still, only moving to shift positions or chew a fingernail or twirl a long blond lock of hair. It’s a change in some ways, but not in others. Yes, he is a very active kid and always has been, but he is intense in all things — emotions, activity, reading, learning… and I remember vividly an image of him, only 10 months old, sitting in the sunny spot in the front room of the row house we rented in Baltimore looking at book after book after book by himself.
It’s spine-tinglingly wonderful to see your child deeply engaged in learning, motivated to absorb the world around him without any direction from adults. It happens every day when we give them enough space and quiet. When we limit screen time and noise in the home and just wait, it’s amazing what they busy themselves with. Truly amazing!
I walked downstairs one day last week, likely carrying another load of laundry down from upstairs, and came across Milo working busily with his microscope, markers, and slides of cells. I watched him quietly, curious about his work. When he noticed me, he exclaimed, “Mama! Come see this! I’ve decided to draw what I see under the microscope so everyone can see what I see without looking through the microscope! And I’m labeling everything too!” He had chosen to do this, was inspired to do so on his own. Mind blown.
I am constantly amazed by the continued learning of these children after they come home from school. Some days they want to play and roughhouse with each other (which I thoroughly believe they need), but other days they immediately try to re-create something they learned in school that day. Seriously, who needs homework? 
That Dr. Montessori was one smart lady, yes indeed.
So cool! A scientist in the making?
Isn’t it mind-boggling what kids will explore and learn on their own with the physical and psychological space to do it! Rock on.
Wow. That is awesome to behold. He’s like a little 19th century naturalist labeling, categorizing, understanding. Fantastic. Thank you for these Montesorri inspired posts. I love to read them. Our 2 1/2 year old goes to a Montesorri day care and we love it.
My children will be immediately heading to your house to live. You’ll find them on your front porch with suitcases by days end.
Maggie, send ’em on over. What’s two more awesome little boys? 🙂
I love this- and his drawings are fabulous!
He sounds much like my oldest boy, who also began reading in earnest at around age 7. He loved Thornton Burgess most of all, and would spend hours drawing animals and birds and making his own “nature guides.” He is also our most active boy, bursting with sound and energy. He goes back and forth between his very quiet absorbed self and his physically active self.
We’ve always limited screen time as well, especially in those younger years. They need things they can access easily- both books and supplies, and equipment. And they need that quiet time, that “bored” time. Though I have found my kids are rarely bored.
So I write a whole comment yesterday, but apparently it didn’t post… I might have failed the math test (not the first time! 😉
In short, this is awesome! It really is amazing how naturally curious and thoughtful children are. I am envious of the a Montessori experience your boys are getting, that just won’t be an option for us (unless we totally relocate). These posts are always a delight!