The Importance of the Silence Game

To Montessori’s surprise, when she experimented with this very first Silence Game, the group of over 40 children waited quietly and patiently to hear their names whispered. After they refused the sweets she thought they might need as a reward, Montessori reflected, “They seemed to say, ‘Don’t spoil our lovely experience, we are still filled with delight of the spirit, don’t distract us.'” Thus the Silence Game came into being.

Playing the Silence Game can give children a sense of joy, achievement, and social spirit as the group works together for a common goal. It also helps children develop a higher level of self-control, which in turn contributes to the normalization of the classroom. In 1930 Montessori wrote that the Silence Game brings “little by little a discipline composed of calmness and inner beatitude.” (“The Importance and the Nature of the Silence Game,” AMI Communications, 1976)

Indirect Preparation

All the exercises in Practical Life, especially the Grace and Courtesy lessons, are indirect preparation for the Silence Game. Children learn to control and perfect their movements: pushing in a chair quietly and carefully, walking around a work rug on the floor, pouring the rice carefully without the sound of even one grain spilling on the table.

These activities help children develop concentration and precision, as well as social awareness, as they wait for their turn, without disturbing the classmate who is working. They learn to speak softly in response to the teacher’s quiet voice, and to stop moving and listen when a chime is rung or the lights are turned off.

Direct Preparation

Here are some games that can be played to help children perfect the ability to listen and to still the body:

1. Pass a bell around the circle, encouraging the children to not let it ring.
2. Invite children to listen to the sound of birds singing or the rain striking the window panes.
3. Have the children close their eyes. Then play several familiar instruments (egg shaker, rhythm sticks, cymbals). Ask them to identify, by the sound, which instrument was played.
4. Invite a small group of children to sit quietly with their eyes closed for a short amount of time (start with 20-30 seconds). Afterwards discuss what sounds they heard.

When Are Children Ready?

The Silence Game is best suited for children ages four and up. It should not be attempted until there is certainty of success, and for many classrooms that may be sometime in the spring after months of preparation. You’ll know that the children in your classroom are ready to play the Silence Game when they can:

• Control their movements.
• Sit quietly and listen for a period of time.
• Concentrate and work independently.
• Cooperate with each other.

Don’t be discouraged if one or two children aren’t able to be quiet enough to participate. Your classroom assistant could work with them on a special project outside the classroom.

Playing the Silence Game

Many teachers first introduce the Silence Game when the whole class is gathered, in order to explain and practice the game. Older children can model how to get up, ever so quietly, and go to the teacher once their name is called.

Some teachers choose to hold up a card during the work period that reads “Silence” and then wait, as one-by-one, the children notice, stop working, and become still and silent. Some teachers encourage the children to close their eyes. Then the teacher goes to a far corner or walks out of the room to whisper the children’s names. When a child hears her name, she goes over to the teacher and sits near her.

When all of the children have heard their whispered names and come to you, you might want to take them outside for a celebratory walk in the garden. Be creative and vary the activities you do after playing this game: group singing, a birthday celebration, or simply a return to work.

Today we live in a noisy world, filled with the sounds of the television, electronics, phone conversations, leaf blowers, sirens, and traffic. Many of us rarely have the opportunity to experience silence or to savor the quieter sounds of bees buzzing, wind rustling the leaves, or a fire crackling in the fireplace. The Silence Game can give children a precious gift that could last a lifetime: the ability to cultivate and appreciate silence.

“When the children have become acquainted with silence…(they) go on to perfect themselves; they walk lightly, take care not to knock against the furniture, move their chairs without noise, and place things upon the table with great care…. These children are serving their spirits.”
—Maria Montessori, Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook