A concerned parent recently wrote to NAMC, expressing unease at her school’s policy of allowing children to be given candy during school. This parent strives to maintain a healthy diet for her family, and she felt that the school was undermining her family’s nutrition. There is no definitive view on what children should eat in … Nutrition is Part of the Montessori Prepared Environment
As we mentioned in an earlier post, Portland, Oregon is the beautiful city hosting the 2013 International Montessori Congress. With a theme of “Montessori: Guided by Nature,” this year’s congress brings together Montessorians in one of the greenest cities in the United States. This year World Environment Day falls on Wednesday, June 5th, so in honor … Portland's Green Initiatives – Inspiration for the Montessori Classroom and Home
This post is a follow up to a blog regarding the questions of a NAMC student and her lead teacher, who are experiencing some behavioral challenges with some students. Working as an assistant in a very young 3–4 year old Montessori classroom, there are 14 children in the class who were split from a larger, … Young Montessori Class Behavioral Challenges: Circle Time and Other Transitions
I recently received an email from a NAMC student asking for advice concerning the students in her early childhood classroom. She is working as an assistant in a very young 3–4 year old Montessori classroom. There are 14 children in the class who were split from a larger, previously existing 3–6 class this spring. The … Behavioral Challenges in a Young Montessori Class: Gluing, Modeling, and Mentoring
Today’s blog is based on a question we recently received from a Montessori teacher and NAMC graduate. She expressed concern about preparing Montessori students for standardized testing they often encounter in the public school system. The question is a common one that many educators must consider. Our school is a private Montessori school. We do … Preparing Montessori Students for Standardized Testing
My sister’s birthday falls on December 25th and she missed the cutoff date for kindergarten by just five days. My parents faced the dilemma of holding her back or putting her in a private kindergarten to keep up with her peers. Fast forward 32 years. My sister is now facing a similar dilemma herself as … The Montessori Advantage: What is Redshirting?
When my son was a toddler, I began teaching about money by being very upfront about how I was spending money. When we went grocery shopping, I would tell him, “Today, we are only buying milk, bread, and peanut butter. That is all the money we have today.” Then, when he saw something he wanted, … Money in the Montessori Classroom: Montessori Practical Life Coin Activities
“The environment itself will teach the child, if every error he makes is manifest to him, without the intervention of a parent or teacher, who should remain a quiet observer of all that happens.” —Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood. In the previous blog on fostering independence with toddlers, we focused on giving limited choices … Montessori Encourages Toddler Independent Play: Facilitating vs Directing
The idea of independence in toddlers may seem oxymoronic. How can a toddler, who is not that removed from infancy be independent? In fact, many parents often bemoan the rapid growth of their young child: “If only she could stay a baby forever.” There is no way around it — babies soon become toddlers. … Fostering Independence in Toddlers the Montessori Way: Limited Choice and Other Tips
One spring day, a young boy from the Montessori adolescent class came to give me a note that had been stapled shut and was marked ‘For your eyes only’. I thanked the boy, who told me his teacher was expecting a reply. I opened the note and was surprised by the message: I remember thinking, … Boys Need to Move: Providing Opportunities for Movement in the Montessori Classroom
