Today we'll be looking at how to support our child's social development. Do we force them to be more social? How do we accept them for who they are and teach them skills? Our children are in community from the day they are born. Their first community is their family, then they may attend day-care and playgroups, and soon after they will join preschool and school. Here are some ideas to help the young child to develop social skills. Building social skills in our children 1. The child … [Read more...] about Supporting our child’s social development – yes, it’s also part of Montessori!
Montessori Tips
The Decalogue of Montessori
Ok. So maybe the language is a bit bossy. But there is so much wisdom to be found in the “Decalogue of Montessori" that I’m hanging it up in my classroom in Amsterdam. The oldest version of the Decalogue of Montessori was found in a 1957 Around the Child publication by the Association of Montessorians in Calcutta. It was described as "compiled from Dr Montessori's lectures," so not written by Dr Montessori herself, but an overview of her ideas. Definitely something for all adults to think … [Read more...] about The Decalogue of Montessori
Teach by teaching, not by correcting
Ever been curious about what Montessori teachers talk about when they get together? I can assure you we have some pretty fun conversations and we lose track of time. When Jesse McCarthy of Montessori Education and I got to meet up when I was in the US recently, 2.5+ hours flew by. We thought that maybe you’d find it fun to hear the kind of things we were talking about and recorded a few interesting topics one Saturday morning when I was back in Amsterdam, this time via Skype. Teach by … [Read more...] about Teach by teaching, not by correcting
Montessori and technology
This fun conversation with my friend Jesse of Montessori Education focuses on the T word – it’s almost feels like a sin to say it – “Technology." People are curious how much technology we should use with our children. Will they be left behind if they don’t have screen time? And would Dr Montessori have allowed technology in the classroom? We talk about the limits I gave to my children around screen time, the importance of real hands-on experiences for our youngest children instead of screens, … [Read more...] about Montessori and technology