Montessori Education
Mindfulness in a Montessori Environment
by Andrea Beier There is no doubt that almost everyone has heard of the term “mindfulness” in the last few years. It seems there has been quite an explosion of interest in the concept; complete with varying definitions of what mindfulness even is. I became interested in the term as a friend of mine was…
Read MoreSocial Studies in Montessori School
By Kristi Larsen Culture is an integral part of the Montessori curriculum. Although it is only one topic within the Social Studies subject matter, it is important because of the diverse group of children we all have in our classrooms. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, (2018) Social studies is defined as, “a part of a…
Read MoreHow the Montessori approach was developed
By Erin Farney Maria Montessori (1870-1952) developed a beautiful and thoughtful approach to the quality education of children, stressing the importance of following the child. Many people appreciated her during her time, and even more people now continue to respect and carry out her work by practicing the Montessori approach. Predecessors Maria Montessori shared ideas…
Read MoreGrace and Courtesy in a Montessori Education
by Erin McFarland Have you ever entered a Montessori Children’s House and noticed that the children are naturally respectful of each other and often helpful? A younger child might ask an older child to sharpen their pencil for them or help them zip their jacket zipper. Perhaps a student might accidentally spill beans from a…
Read MoreFreedom of Choice in a Montessori Classroom
By Brenda Nelson Through scientific study and observation, Dr. Maria Montessori made many discoveries in regards to child development and how children learn. From these discoveries, she developed the Montessori Method of education, which is different from play-based preschool programs. One of the aspects that make it different is the idea of freedom. You may…
Read MoreIntrinsic Motivation in a Montessori Education
By Sarah Vang Children are born with an innate curiosity, a desire to learn and need to explore. That’s what makes children the way they are and why they come up with never-ending streams of questions about the world they are observing around them. That intrinsic motivation is the driving force behind a child’s early…
Read MoreMontessori in the Home
By Francina Lelei As parents, we all want what is best for our child. We want them to grow and be healthy, learn and be smart, and love with empathy and compassion. However, a child is not born knowing how to do all these things. The child must be taught and shown how to navigate…
Read MoreDeveloping the Whole Child in Montessori Preschool
At a Montessori preschool, the primary focus is on developing a well-rounded individual. Montessori educators aim their attention at developing what is called the “whole child,” meaning physical, social, emotional, and cognitive aspects. Unlike traditional preschools which just focus on a child’s cognitive abilities, the Montessori approach to education values the human spirit and takes…
Read MoreHow Montessori Differs from Daycare
As you look at different childcare options for your child, you may notice that a Montessori preschool has some key differences that set it apart from your traditional daycare. Each classroom in a Montessori preschool is unique, even though they are all part of one educational system. Some core philosophies that set a Montessori preschool…
Read MorePreschool Math in the Montessori Environment
By Erin McFarland Math in the Montessori environment is one of the richest subject areas. Maria Montessori was a great mathematician and scientist. She became one of the first woman doctors in Italy. She used this scientific approach to study children and determine how to fashion materials that met their needs. She realized that in…
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