Materials must be used respectfully, i.e. a child may not harm the material, him/herself or others. Materials may not be used in a way that disturbs the activities of others.

The child may not work at or on a display shelf, as his/her presence there would obstruct the other children’s access to the materials.

The child restores the environment during and after an exercise. The child is responsible for mopping his/her own spills, pushing in chairs, returning the work to the right shelf, etc.

A child may not touch the work of another without an invitation to do so. A child may not interfere with another’s learning activity. If a child must leave his/her work temporarily the child can be confident that it will be as he/she left it when he/she returns to resume the activity.

A child may not disrupt an activity which he/she has chosen not to join.

A child is not forced to share work or materials. Generosity develops from within as a child matures and gains self-confidence. With adequate materials and supportive ground rules, sharing comes naturally.

A child may be learning by observing others, or he/she may be thinking, or simply relaxing (taking a break.)


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