Parenting

How to Prepare for Change with Toddlers How to Prepare for Change with Toddlers.  The Balance Between Consistency and Change In Montessori practice, we talk frequently about consistency so much so that sometimes we can fear change.  Consistency is a cornerstone of preparing environments for toddlers.  Everything in the world is …

How to Make Routines that Work How to Make Routines that Work. Why routines are helpful . . .Routines help children understand the world.   For young children so much of the world is new and they are looking for some sense of order in everything going on.  Without a routine, …

One Teacher’s Top 5 Classroom Gift Ideas There is no question that the best gifts for teachers are items that supplement, augment, or replace outworn classroom materials the teacher truly needs. But what do you do when time is running short and you have to choose a gift without specific …

New School Year, New Families, New Beginnings Autumn means back to school—a joyful reunion for returning families and a chance to help new families integrate smoothly. Most Montessori schools host a Parent Education night; we’ve collected a handful of invaluable resources available to schools and parents, either for a formal …

A Book Review by Kelly Griffith-Mannion, M. Ed. As a Montessori mom, I’ve just found the perfect best friend — a well-informed, articulate “Montessorian,” always ready to give me succinct, detailed advice on how to pull off the best parenting job ever! Well, all right. My new best friend is …

In primitive societies, and even in quite recent times, children always participated in the life of the home. A sense of belonging, along with pride of accomplishment, help the child to grow up strong and secure. When we begin to draw the child into family chores, there are, of course, …

Montessori Education Week: The Last Week of February This time of year, we Montessorians celebrate the history and success of the Montessori method, and recognize the contributions of Dr. Montessori herself. Children are introduced to Maria Montessori, the real person who created the classroom materials children use every day. Schools …

“Look!” My seven-year-old’s finger pointed up, to the top of the wainscotting – a butterfly! It calmly fanned its new wings as we set the groceries down. I scanned the paneling and sure enough, there was the second butterfly, wings still damp and crumpled, perched on the edge of the …

Is there anything more rewarding than being able to care for one’s own self? Help your child on the path to independence with home activities that support similar self-care “lessons” in the Montessori classroom. A little planning and a lot of patience will go far! The most important (and the …