Montessori Education
Normalization in a Montessori Classroom
By Melissa Bright Normalization in the Montessori classroom is not the forced act of conforming to the environment; rather it refers to the concentration, independence, and focus of the child through their choices. Children learn to find their internal motivation to initiate individual or collaborative work, to freely adhere to the rules of the classroom…
Read MoreThe importance of real materials in practical life
By Archana Dalal One thing that sets Montessori schools apart from other preschools is practical life activities. According to Dr. Maria Montessori, practical life is “The Montessori term that encompasses domestic work to maintain the home and classroom environment, Self-Care and Personal Hygiene, and Grace & Courtesy.” Natural Consequence Young Children are always interested in…
Read MoreFostering the Love of Books During National Reading Month
By Kristi Larsen Caring for and Choosing the Right Books Imagine your favorite childhood book. What was the name of it? Why did you like it? Was it based in reality or fantasy? Did you introduce your students or your own children to it? My favorite book when I was a child was Corduroy by…
Read MoreWords + Movement = Reading
By: Connie Parker Within a Montessori classroom, movement is found everywhere. It has great importance in mental development, provided that the action which occurs is connected with the mental activity going on. Having purposeful movement is what drives not only behavior but learning. Children are given the freedom to move around in the Montessori environment…
Read MoreMaria Montessori: What You May Not Know
By Yelena Raskin Dr. Maria Montessori was born in the small town of Chiaravalle. Her father was a military man, and her mother was a lady of peace. Maria Montessori had a very close relationship with her mother. As a child, Maria didn’t have freedom to do what she wanted because her mother believed in discipline.…
Read MoreTools in the Practical Life Area
By Amber Evans An essential part of the Montessori method is practical life. These activities are an increasingly challenging series of motor tasks involving real life goals. In addition to helping children master everyday tasks, the aim of practical life activities is to develop a child’s independence, body control and coordination of movement, concentration and…
Read MoreLet’s Take Another Look at Metal Insets
By Yelena Ostrovsky Metal insets serve a real and concrete purpose in the Children’s House. The metal inset work has 11 different stages, ranging from basic tracing to the more challenging design and embellishment work. Each stage provides the child with all the practice that is necessary to eventually writing on paper with a pencil.…
Read MoreThe Art of Observation: Why this is a teacher’s most important skill
By Francina Lelei “Wait while observing. That is the motto for the educator. Let us wait, and be always ready to share in both the joys and the difficulties which the child experiences. …Let us have endless patience with his slow progress, and show enthusiasm and gladness at his successes.” (Maria Montessori, Dr. Montessori’s Own…
Read MoreBuilding the Mathematical Mind: Mastering the concrete before the abstract
By Brenda Nelson What is the Mathematical Mind? According to AMI’s (Association Montessori International) website, the glossary of Montessori terms describes the Mathematical Mind as, “All babies are born with mathematical minds, that is, they have a propensity to learn things which enhance their ability to be exact and orderly, to observe, compare, and classify.…
Read MoreMusic in the Montessori Classroom: How We Integrate Music into Everyday Activities
By Erin Farney Picture a group of children singing together and it will most likely bring on a smile. Singing songs is typically a fun and joyful experience, but it offers much more value than only being for pleasure. Children in Montessori are trained to listen, hear, move, sing, and produce music. Hearing and listening,…
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