Today I’m planning something a little different for this blog post. Usually I offer advice and practical suggestions on ways to get cooperation from your children, or how to understand your child better. Today I’d just like to muse a bit. Ok with you? I’m curious if this will resonate with you in any way. We often find ourselves saying children are just like sponges. Dr Montessori had exactly the same idea. And coined the term “absorbent mind" for children from 0 to 6 years. You … [Read more...] about Musings on the absorbent mind
Parenting
How to stop saying “no” forever + what to say instead
It’s been nearly 6 months since I set up The Montessori Notebook. Whooosh. That went fast. I’m realising just now (ha!) that what I am hoping you will be learning along the way is a Montessori mindset – respecting the child; preparing their spaces so they are beautiful and engaging for your child; being neither their boss nor their servant, but a guide to support them; and to see the world through their eyes. I get lots of questions from parents like, “My child isn’t listening to me" or “I … [Read more...] about How to stop saying “no” forever + what to say instead
Points of interest
Usually in my newsletters and blog posts, I address the most commonly asked questions I hear from parent. Not today. It’s something I rarely even get asked about. But it’s something that I have learned as a Montessori teacher that I want to share with you. Maybe it’s meant to be kept a secret. But I’m going to let you in on it to help you understand your child better. Let’s take a look. Montessorians like to refer to it as “points of interest". To be honest, I can imagine you all closing … [Read more...] about Points of interest
10 ways to deal with a child who has trouble sharing Montessori-style
Why is it difficult to share? When a baby is around a year, another child can usually walk up to them, take the toy they are playing with out of their hands and the baby will turn around and pick up the next closest toy. Then, around 16 months, they begin to have difficulty with someone taking something off them that they are playing with. They may be playing with the cow and pig in the farm when another child takes another animal, for example, the horse. To the toddler this is also part … [Read more...] about 10 ways to deal with a child who has trouble sharing Montessori-style