Philosophy

Starting Montessori at Home

February 15, 2012

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is, How do I start teaching my children with the Montessori method at home? The plethora of information out there can be overwhelming and it’s hard to know where to start. If you’re interested in using the Montessori Method in your home, this is what I’d suggest: Research [...]

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Creating a Montessori Environment Without Losing the Home

January 16, 2012

While I love the Montessori philosophy and am happy to incorporate it into our home and make it our choice of schooling, I never want to hold so tightly onto the philosophy at the expense of losing our home environment. What I mean by that is the home should first and foremost be a place [...]

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Making the Most of Sensitive Periods

October 11, 2011

Over the last month or so, Joey’s been in a sensitive period for language. He’s often practicing his writing, painting, more focused in practical life activities than usual, using his chalkboard, reading books, and is fascinated with learning how to spell his name. Last week he read his first 8 words in the pink series. I’m treading [...]

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Building a Montessori Lifestyle

September 8, 2011

I’m guest posting this week over at Montessori MOMents. Lori asked me to share about Montessori for infants and toddlers, so I decided to share what I think are a few essentials to building a Montessori lifestyle. Before I had children, I worked at a Montessori school with children ages 2 ½ to 6. I [...]

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The Prepared Environment: Kitchen & Bathroom

July 12, 2011

As I’ve been working on this series, I’m reminded of how easy it is to neglect my children’s needs in designing our home. It’s really in the details. Can they wash their hands on their own? Get a snack? Is furniture too heavy? Towels out of reach? I’ve fixed numerous things as I’ve gone from room [...]

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The Prepared Environment: Child’s Room

July 5, 2011

At home the child’s room, out of all the rooms in the home, should be suited to their growing and developmental needs. This is where they wake-up in the morning, begin their routine, rest, and play. It should be engineered to fit them. The child’s room is the first place they can begin to assert [...]

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What is a Prepared Environment?

July 4, 2011

“The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as it is possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult. ” Maria Montessori, The Secret of Childhood (267) The Prepared Environment The prepared environment is designed so that the child has the maximum ability for learning and exploration. The phrase ‘prepared environment’ [...]

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Three Hours, Really?

April 8, 2011

The other day my mom was telling me about a co-worker who’s preschool age daughter was recently tested for ADHD at her teacher’s suggestion. The teacher told the mother that her daughter couldn’t concentrate, would frequently run around the room, and disturb other children. It sounds like there may be some problem, right? Here’s the [...]

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When they’re absorbed in a task

January 12, 2011

don’t interrupt! Not for praise, not to encourage them. That can come later. I’ve distracted Joey a time or two while he was working simply because of my own excitement of what he was accomplishing. When a child is actively engaged in a task they’re working. They’re learning. Figuring out how they can manipulate the [...]

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Your Baby Can Read?

September 28, 2010

If you have an infant or toddler it’s likely have you’ve seen the advertisements or at least heard about the program Your Baby Can Read. photo credit I’m not buying it. I’ve seen the infomercials and I can’t deny that its brought up the urge to join the bandwagon. But, honestly, that’s just good marketing. This program [...]

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The Purpose of Discipline

September 25, 2009

“Discipline must come through liberty.” When Montessori says this it almost seems like a contradiction. How can discipline (or what most would call self-discipline) come through liberty? Now, apply this to a child and the reaction you get from people is often even more pronounced. They conjure up wild visions of children running free with [...]

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