I was so lucky to visit Atelier Montessori, a Montessori classroom in Lisbon, 2 weeks ago. It’s only 7 months old and is a fantastic introduction to Montessori in a country where this approach is not so well known or understood. Set up for parents to learn on one side of a glass wall and the children on the other, this offering combines the importance of parent education (which you know I love!) with a beautiful learning environment for the children. To explain more, I asked Maria Antónia … [Read more...] about A Montessori classroom in Lisbon to inspire you
Montessori classroom
Montessori and music
We can at last feel it – summer is just around the corner! I have a suitcase of clothing in the language corner of our classroom and I was finally able to retire the rainboots and rainclothes for this year, and replace them with the swimmers, sunhat, tshirt, flip flops and swimming arm bands. #signsofsummer After all these years of writing blog posts, I don’t think I have ever written about the music area of the classroom. I have to confess to not being naturally talented in the music area. … [Read more...] about Montessori and music
Where to find Montessori trays and baskets
Here’s a new series to address that commonly asked question, “where did you get….?" that I often get asked in class. Now let me state up front that I am not actually a big advocate of buying stuff. Even more so since Marie Kondo came on the scene and I love her idea to only have things in your home that are useful and spark joy (well, we can dream right!). But if you are going to have activities in the home, then let’s make them beautiful, let’s make them well designed, from natural … [Read more...] about Where to find Montessori trays and baskets
5 things you can learn from a Montessori school in The Gambia(!) and apply at home
In May 2015 I had the pleasure of meeting Nacee Mercier and her family when they were visiting the Netherlands. At the time, opening a school in Africa was just a twinkle in her eye. But with this woman’s dedication, openness, honesty and commitment, I knew it would happen. Fast forward to October 2016 and Moonflower Montessori School in The Gambia opens with two Montessori classrooms – one toddler class and one preschooler class. (You can find out more about Montessori in The Gambia … [Read more...] about 5 things you can learn from a Montessori school in The Gambia(!) and apply at home