New parents are often at a loss when, after they bring the baby home, it starts to cry. Do you let the baby cry or pick it up every time? Advice from well-intentioned relatives and friends seems to be conflicting. Even for infants, Dr. Maria Montessori advised us to “follow the child.” In this … The Montessori Way to Soothe a Crying Baby
Public school Montessori teachers face their own unique challenges. In a traditional Montessori classroom, the curriculum was set by Maria Montessori and can be found in NAMC’s Montessori curriculum manuals. When a tradition Montessori teacher teaches, it is determined by student interest and ability. However, the curriculum in the public school is dictated by … Looping – An Option for Managing the Public Montessori Classroom
After spending the year in careful, purposeful observation, the end of the year naturally lends itself to thoughtful reflection. Montessorians find themselves in serious contemplation. What worked well this year? And, more importantly, what didn’t work? In our continuing journey to follow the child, there seems to be constant room for improvement. The end of … Year End Reflections on Your Montessori Classroom
A Montessori teacher cannot end the year without celebrating the community. It is as important to bring closure to the year as it was to set the tone when she began the year. There are important rites of passage to recognize and celebrate. It is important to recognize pre-established traditions if your Montessori school has … Celebrating the Montessori Community at the End of the Year
The idea for Father’s Day came from Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father after her mother passed away, she wanted to show her father how special he was to her. Since her father was born in June, she decided to hold … Montessori Curriculum Ideas for Father’s Day Activities
Something happens after spring break. Palpable and alive, there is a new energy in the Montessori classroom. Whether spoken aloud or not, students and Montessori teachers alike have begun the countdown to the end of the year. As time passes, the energy builds until, before you know it, the end is here. Just as the … Montessori Classroom – Involving Students at the End of the Year
In 1866, the United States was recovering from the Civil War. As soldiers began to return home, wounded and down-trodden, Henry Welles, a drugstore owner in Waterloo, New York suggested closing down the shops in town for one day to honor the fallen soldiers buried at Waterloo Cemetery. On May 5, the townspeople placed … Montessori Curriculum Activity Ideas for Memorial Day
The end of the year in a Montessori classroom is always a flurry of excitement! We teachers come to realize there just isn’t enough time left to do what we want to do in the final weeks of the year. There are always more lessons to give, more research to be done, more books to … Montessori Classroom Tips for End of the Year Preparation
Parents and Montessori teachers are dedicated to one goal: the best education possible for the child. Parent understanding and participation is critical to student success. It is important to establish and encourage open communication between yourself and the parents in your Montessori classroom. This provides a consistency of school and family which is necessary for … A Guide to Effective Parent Communication for The Montessori Teacher
In the Montessori classroom, children are given the opportunity to set their own goals, manage their own time, and self-evaluate. They are highly motivated to learn because their interest is genuine and they are excited to expand their knowledge. There is no need for external motivation or incentives. This enthusiasm and self-discipline is not inherent … Children Thrive in a Well Prepared Montessori Environment – A Mathematical Example
