The Importance of Beauty in the Montessori Environment The first time I visited a Montessori classroom I was taken aback by its beauty and order. The shelves, made from natural wood, were well organized and clean. The walls were hung with a variety of art, purposefully placed to capture your attention in one place and … Continue reading The Importance of Beauty in the Montessori Environment
Have you ever had the stress of a hard day washed away by looking at the ocean or taking a walk in the forest? The mysteries and beauty of nature can take us out of our head and allow us to listen to our soul in a way that brings a sense of wonder and … Continue reading Nature in the Primary Classroom
A few months ago, a parent let me know their child overheard her and her husband having a disagreement, and confidently suggested they both use an “I message” to resolve their conflict. Her child had only been attending her new Montessori classroom for a short time and the mom was surprised to hear her four … Continue reading Conflict Resolution in a Primary Montessori Classroom
Have you ever wondered which parenting approach best aligns with Montessori education? Positive Discipline (PD) is an approach that complements the Montessori method because it helps foster children’s “inner guide to develop self-construction and self-motivation.” PD focuses on instilling in children an internal compass which guides them to do the right thing for intrinsic reasons. … Continue reading Positive Discipline
Giving your children the benefit of their Montessori final Primary year is an irreplaceable gift. The foundation and exploration the children have previously experienced in their Primary class blossoms into a culminating experience in this final year. Here is what happens for five-six year-old children in a Montessori primary program: Children continue to thrive with … Continue reading Giving Your Child a Gift ~ Montessori for the Kindergarten Year
“How do you get them to do that?” Every now and then our school receives an unannounced visit from our State Licensing Analyst. Our analyst completes an inspection to make sure that we are following all childcare licensing regulations – everything from the expiration dates on the food in the refrigerator to the sign-in sheets … Continue reading Normalization
Santa Cruz Montessori 