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…
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…
Keeping Young Minds and Bodies Healthy
With the hustle and bustle of everyday responsibilities, sometimes making healthy choices for our children’s lunches can be a challenge, especially with limited time. With fast and convenient options like Uncrustables, Lunchables, Go-Gurts and the like, kids today are taking in excess sugar in the middle of the day when their minds and bodies need…
Honoring Maria Montessori (1870-1952)
Breaking barriers… that is how I envision the legendary Maria Montessori. This pioneer of the proven Montessori Method of early learning first changed the view of women in medicine in the early 1900’s, and later originated the Education for Peace program earning her two Nobel Peace Prize nominations. Dr. Maria Montessori’s ground-breaking and scientific observations…
The Power of Observation
A Montessori teacher has particular skills in understanding where each child is in his/her development, needs and interests. Different from traditional teaching where all children are generally at the same level, Montessori children progress at their own pace. It is the power of specialized observation by the Montessori teacher that provides the unique information for…
Bring Montessori Home this Summer
Summer is the perfect time to incorporate Montessori principles at home. You can tap into your child’s interests while spending quality time together. North American Montessori Center shares practical ideas you can use: http://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2014/07/does-montessori-learning-stop-in-summer.html Here are just a few suggestions that you can easily incorporate into your summer lifestyle Math Play cards, string a necklace…
Words of wisdom
It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. — Joyce…
A Vision of Peace
The Montessori six to nine classroom teaches dates and events but more importantly, it allows for children to understand human nature better by learning about people all over the world and their responses to their environment. This enables the child to decide if he wants to react in the same way he sees the adults…
