Eye spy with my little eye. A different kind of game today. Have you ever tried to spot the obstacles to your child’s development? Dr Montessori talked about removing obstacles so that the child can reach their full potential. “The first Right of Man, the Fundamental Right, should recognise the right of the child to be helped to overcome those obstacles which may hinder, repress or deflect his constructive energies thereby denying him the certainty of becoming an efficient, … [Read more...] about Obstacles to your child’s development
Montessori parenting
Grace and courtesy – learning to say please, thank you and sorry
In Montessori you may have come across the kind of old-fashioned term “grace and courtesy.” Grace and courtesy might otherwise be known as manners but most broadly is how we teach our children what is acceptable in our society. Whilst we do learn grace and courtesy lessons to give to children in our Montessori training, grace and courtesy will not be the same for every family or community. Grace and courtesy will be culturally responsive. That is to say that these may differ based on … [Read more...] about Grace and courtesy – learning to say please, thank you and sorry
Answering our child’s tricky questions
I think many of us value honesty and find telling the truth very important. Yet children ask tricky questions at times and we aren’t sure what to say and at other times it feels difficult to set a limit around sensitive topics as we are worried about losing connection with our child. So today let’s look at being truthful and answering our child’s tricky questions from sex to death to race and gender; talking about cultural events like Sinterklaas and Santa Claus; and being kind and clear at … [Read more...] about Answering our child’s tricky questions
My child always wants to be first – the competitive child and Montessori
Does your child always want to be first? Do they always want to win? I see this behaviour a little bit in some younger children but more around children from 5 years and up. Let’s have a look what we can do in our homes when we see competitive behaviour. Montessori and the lack of competition Montessori is known for its non-competitive peer learning environment. In the classroom, even from the youngest ages, we nurture working together as a community. Things that encourage less … [Read more...] about My child always wants to be first – the competitive child and Montessori