Fundamental to the Montessori classroom, and more valuable than academic lessons, are the lessons which help children learn social strategies. These strategies help navigate friendships and collaboration with others, benefitting children throughout their life. Grace and courtesy is an integral part of the Montessori curriculum beginning in the early childhood classroom and continuing through the…
Let the Transformation Begin!
Welcome to a new school year! Each fall brings a renewed excitement; a renewed vow to embrace the unique qualities of each child, to nurture their development and to witness their transformation. Each year, countless moments create positive change not only for our students but for ourselves as well, leading us to a moment of…
Collaboration in the Montessori Classroom
Collaboration is such an important facet of the Montessori classroom. On any given day, you could witness our younger friends paired up with their eagerly awaiting Elementary counterparts to learn from their expertise. Recently, our Elementary Students have been clamoring at the opportunity to be a reading buddy to our Kindergarten friends. This is a…
Gratitude
As Thanksgiving approaches, we begin reflecting in earnest on all the things in our lives that we need to be grateful for and our Elementary children are doing just that. It is quite amazing to watch these children ponder on their young lives and conclude that they have much to give thanks for. It is…
The End of the Year
Joy is the evidence of inner growth” — Maria Montessori There is no denying it – I love this time of year! It is a time when teachers are given a rare glimpse of the fruits of their labor. Come June, children are not the same little people as when they first entered school in…
The Art of Geography
The theme of this year’s Children’s Art Exhibition, “The Art of Geography”, captures the global nature of our Montessori classroom. Every child yearns to understand their place in the world and to respect the diversity of people and cultures in our global community. Imagination, coupled with the stroke of a paintbrush, allows our children to…
Friendships Formed
We often wonder why it is that many friendships cannot withstand the test of time or distance, and a Montessori school may provide the answer with its multi-age classrooms and children at different stages of growth and learning who interact on a daily basis. These children have been able to forge friendships that last. Older…
Montessori Conflict Resolution
Conflict can be one of the best teaching tools! It is in the moment of conflict that children experience real emotions. With patience and practice, these social situations can lend themselves to magical opportunities to develop problem solving skills. It is second nature for an adult to step in when children are arguing. In a…
Making a difference
The opportunity to watch a child develop their social, cognitive, and/or problem solving skills is one that we as educators do not take lightly. It is the gift that we do not take for granted. Some days seem like many others, but on those extra special occasions when we see a child open up and…
Preparation for life
The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life. — Maria Montessori Preparing a child for life is an immense responsibility, and one parents and dedicated educators do not take lightly. Throughout my tenure in education, I have witnessed the pendulum swing several times. Long…