Nowadays, children are spending more and more time indoors…think of all the developmental opportunities they’re missing! What can your child learn from nature? As your child observes the way leaves move and sway in the wind, he is developing his vision. As your child hears the many layers of sound in nature, her hearing is […]
Spring has sprung and new life is blooming all around us. What better time to turn our focus to the great outdoors? It has long been understood that a relationship with nature can be physically and mentally beneficial, and recent studies have further validated these beliefs. “Scientists are beginning to find evidence that being in nature […]
The very best place for toddlers to learn is in the garden – it’s a place for building strong bodies, engaging sensory experiences that feed the mind, it’s a place for learning language and to investigate the world around them in a super natural way. It’s a place where experiences ensure that little children get […]
Wondering how to celebrate the upcoming day of hearts and kisses with young children? By reading beautiful, fun, and kid-friendly picture books of course! Here is a list of eight great picture books for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy! Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood and Claudia Rueda I am a huge fan of Deb Underwood and […]
Exploring some of the many holidays celebrated around the world is a fun and interesting way to introduce children to different cultures. And what better way to teach (and learn,) than to read beautifully written and illustrated picture books? Below is a collection of some favorite children’s books about the wonderful holidays and traditions celebrated around […]
Written by guest author Jenny Formon Work-time in a Montessori classroom is a combination of perfecting previous skills and works, along with receiving new lessons. There is tremendous value and emphasis in the practice and repetition of already known works. The repetition of work is important in mastering those works as well as preparing for future […]
Is Recess Necessary or Just a lot of Fluff? My son just started 7th grade, which (at our school district) marks the beginning of middle school. It also means no more recess. Granted, you may be thinking that sounds pretty normal. After all, recess has to go by the wayside sooner or later, doesn’t it? […]
The teacher, when she begins to work in our schools, must have a kind of faith that the child will reveal himself through work. ~ Dr. Maria Montessori, “The Absorbent Mind” Have Faith One of the biggest differences between Montessori and traditional teachers is the way the teacher perceives the child. You may have heard […]
Something Special for Dad on Father’s Day Sunday is Father’s Day and children enjoy making something special for Dad. This Montessori-inspired cooking idea provides a great treat for Dad and is a fantastic sensory activity for children of any age. Children learn from exploring the sight of the ingredients, feeling the textures, smelling the spices, hearing the clink-and-whirl of […]
I’d like to start today by sharing a haiku written by Jenny Formon, Lead Primary I Teacher at Charlotte Montessori. Jenny asked her class what peace means to them. She was so impressed by the thoughtfulness of the answers that she was inspired to create this fantastic poem about peace: PEACE By Jenny Formon and […]
