It can be very beneficial for young children to choose the same activities every day. By repeating and repeating the activity, your child is mastering the skill or refining her understanding of the concepts involved. While the child is still learning and gaining from the activity, a Montessori teacher would not deter her from choosing…

One of the most common questions that I hear from parents is, “What can I do at home to help my child read?” The urge to help your child is understandable since literacy is a fundamental life skill; when your child has mastered it, you can breathe a little easier as a parent. You may…

Maria Montessori was an Italian educator who began her involvement with young children more than one hundred years ago. Her observations and pedagogical method, however, continue to offer new insights into the understanding we have of young children’s learning. When Montessori first began observing children in the slums of San Lorenzo in Italy, schools of…

A Montessori teacher shares some ground rules established at Montessori, which help adults talk effectively with children. Go slowly, be gentle and use your words! Go Slowly We have a classroom “rule” which says Go Slowly. If you are going slowly, you have time to react to situations as they arise.  Contrary to general assumptions, children don’t…

Dr Maria Montessori strongly believed that an adult’s pace of life is not the natural pace of childhood, and too often, children are expected to speed up rather than have the adults around them slow down. I was aware of this before I had my son Lincoln, so I came into parenting with strong beliefs…

The activities are from the Practical Life curriculum in the Montessori classroom. In a class for three to six-year-olds, this area is set up with many different activities and experiences that have underlying benefits and often subtle messages for our children.  Practical life exercises such as table or window washing or pouring exercises are often…