Everyone is so kind and gentle in Montessori. How does this help our children in the real world where not everyone is so kind? What about when you have to do something? One part of Montessori is removing obstacles. We try to set up our homes and classrooms so the children can have as much success as possible. The child receives an enormous amount of satisfaction from mastery and feeling capable. They are motivated to continue to be curious learners and seek out information. So, yes, we … [Read more...] about Does Montessori prepare children for the real world?
Montessori Principles
10 ways we can show respect to our child
One thing about the Montessori approach is how we show respect to the child. The most powerful way for us to teach our child how to respect others is for us to model it and for them to absorb it every day. 10 ways we can show respect to our child Soft hands – the way we handle themListen – stop and really listen to their words, their expressions, their face and handsUse kind words – even when setting a limitAvoid baby talk – speak to them as we would to an adultLet them know what we … [Read more...] about 10 ways we can show respect to our child
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