Showing gratitude is an important part of who we are as humans. It strengthens our relationships and our connection to our community, and studies show that expressing appreciation makes us happier and more compassionate people. For young children, naturally ruled by their ego, we must encourage an awareness that goes beyond the self. Dr. Maria…
Lessons of Grace and Courtesy
Teaching peace and compassion are called the Lessons of Grace and Courtesy. Learning how to work and play together with others, in a peaceful and caring community, is the most critical life skill that we teach in our classrooms. Children practice greeting others, respecting others’ work, assisting friends in need, and solving problems together. Teachers…
Journey to Montessori
My Montessori journey is short, but what I have gained surpasses those few years. I was introduced to the Riverview Montessori School and the Montessori Method, in July of 2012. I was immediately drawn to the beautifully arranged classroom, with even more varied and beautiful materials. I was intrigued at children taking responsibility for their…
What Children are REALLY Drawn To
As teachers, we spend a lot of time quietly observing the children. We learn what they are drawn to and excited about. Sometimes, it is a person whom the children are drawn to; they rush to greet them and give them a hug, dropping everything they were doing! Why are some people children magnets? When…
The Normalized Montessori Environment
Today, I got to spend a quality day at one of my schools. I felt like a proud mother basking in the sunshine of a “picture-perfect” Montessori classroom. Education is a complex process and the success depends on the seamless amalgamation of the child, teacher, leadership, parent body, and the environment. It is only September and…
Diffusing an Emotional Reaction
A child in class screams at the top of her lungs. Another child slams the door in a rage. Yet another runs to the top of the slide and refuses to come inside until chased. How we handle these situations matters. In the most difficult of times we must maintain our grace and dignity and…
The Nature of the Business
It is no doubt that the development of young minds, and ultimately our future, is a big business. Corporate child cares are flooding the market and creating what they think are “the best” opportunities for children. At the end of the day, these corporate and franchise childcares put the implementation of the business plan first…
Heightening the Senses
Today we presented lessons on the five senses. They best way to really put focus onto one sense is to mask the others. So today we teachers were brave. We blindfolded ourselves and sat, unable to see, and felt object from our sensory box. We modeled the lesson by verbally describing what we felt, without…
It’s Personal
When I started my Montessori journey, it wasn’t just for my professional life. In fact that was probably the last reason I was looking to Montessori. I was seeking personal development. I was seeking a catalyst into becoming a better person than I was before. I wanted something that would ignite a burning passion back…
Education Isn’t About You
A child’s defiant behavior isn’t about you. A parent’s “baggage” while navigating school in regards to their child’s developmental needs isn’t about you. When building relationships with parents and families we need to exercise our exclusive ability as humans to be empathetic, engage genuinely and think critically about a solution. When we make their actions,…
