10 Little Ways to Show Them You Love Them

We all tell our children we love them, and it’s so important that they hear it! Looking for some fun ways to mix it up and show them you love them? Check out our ten tips:

1. Keep some dry erase markers handy

Dry erase markers work really well on glass surfaces such as windows and mirrors. No matter what age your child is, this simple and fun idea will put a smile on their face: using the markers, leave your child random notes. We use the word “note” loosely; pictures count, too, especially for little ones who aren’t reading yet! You don’t need to be a natural artist or poet, either. A simple “Good morning!” on the bathroom mirror with a shining sun is a nice surprise for anyone.

2. Go beyond the lunch note

You’ll need a permanent marker for this one. The next time you pack a banana or a hard boiled egg in your child’s lunch, have fun with a little simple art! Eggs are the perfect shape to draw silly faces on, and bananas are great for a short note or just a row of hearts.

3. Play

This one can be tough. At the end of a long day, we adults are tired. Oftentimes, the last thing we want to do is play a game with our child that’s not overly interesting to us. We challenge you to muster up just a little energy, though, for that time spent together can make a huge difference in how they feel. Build with Legos, play a board game, or put together a puzzle. The joy on your child’s face will be well worth it.

4. Use music

Humans can’t help but react to music. Use this to your advantage to make monotonous moments fun! Play your child’s favorites as a way to wake them up in the morning, to help them get through boring chores, or to dance around the kitchen while you’re making dinner together. Play them some of your favorites, too! 

5. Put your phone down

It’s really easy to get sucked into our smartphones. Our devices are so helpful in so many ways, but we should be careful that they don’t get in the way of our human relationships. When you’re with your child, really be with your child. They won’t feel like they have to compete with a screen, and you will enjoy the time more.

6. Really listen

Our lives are full. Really full. Even the most organized people can feel rushed and overscheduled. Make sure you take some time to slow down and really listen to and hear your child. What are they trying to tell you? This can be especially important when they pour their hearts out at bedtime. Be there for them when they’re little, and they’ll come to you when they’re older.

7. Tell them when you notice

We are not advocates of traditional praise. Studies show that it does little to actually encourage positive behaviors, and as Montessorians our intention is to let children focus on how they feel about their work and not to seek approval from others. The solution? Phrase your praise differently. Instead of “Nice job!” try “I notice you worked really hard to get that done. How do you feel?” Focus on your observation and their perspective rather than your own opinions.

8. Cuddle

Perhaps the simplest tip on the list, it’s a super important one. Make time to snuggle with your little ones as long as they will let you. When they get older and no longer want that, hugs, pats on the back, or a squeeze of their hand are other physical ways to show your love.

9. Say it in another language

Just to mix it up and have fun, learn how to say “I love you” in another language. American Sign Language is a simple and fun way that can let you and your child tell each other without verbally saying a word. You can even make up your own silly and secret code phrase that means “I love you”.

10. Help them

We spend a lot of time working hard to foster independence in our children, and it’s really important to do so. Just remember, though, that we all need help sometimes. Perhaps your child has been zipping their own jacket for a year now, but their having a tough day and your notice they’re struggling. Ask them if they’d like your help. This doesn’t make them any less independent (especially when it’s once in a while), it just teaches them that we can all show each other a little kindness.

Have you tried any of these tips before? Let us know how they work out for you and if you have any others you think should be on the list!

Realistic Parenting

When we become parents, we get to experience a range of human instincts we had never imagined previously.  We understand on a deep, primal level that we are responsible for the safe and successful growth of our child as they move toward maturity.  This is no small task, and sometimes just the thought of what we must do can feel crippling.

Couple that huge responsibility with the constant influx of parenting advice and information that we are subjected to today, and the task can seem nearly impossible.  Parents are left feeling overwhelmed, underprepared, and anxious about every little decision.  We spend more time with our children and know more about them as individual people than parents of any other generation, yet too many of us worry that we are failing them in some way (either once in a while or more often than that).

We invite you to step back with us and take a collective deep breath.  We want you to know that it doesn’t have to feel this way.

We want you to know that you are already an amazing parent.  If you love your child and genuinely care about their well-being, you are doing a great job.  

Here are a few statements that may come in handy, today or some other day:

• That behavior your child has been displaying?  It’s probably developmentally appropriate and will change in time.

• That study you read that contradicts with what you’ve already been doing?  Take it with a grain of salt; not all scientific information is definitive. 

• That advice you’ve been getting from your mother-in-law/friend/stranger in the grocery store?  Smile and move on with your day.  You know what’s best for your child.

• Those stunning pictures of playrooms you’ve seen on Instagram?  Social media gives us a false sense of expectations.  It’s not reality.  You’re not seeing what’s just outside the frame.  

• That must-have toy/book/play structure that will set your child behind if they don’t have it?  They will be fine without it.

• The same goes for all those extracurriculars - encourage your child to follow their passions, but they don’t need to have sports, music, language, and art classes in their life all at once.  

• That article you read on our blog that makes you feel like you’ve missed the mark somewhere along the way?  You haven’t!  There is so much information available - some helpful and some not - take the bits that work for you and leave the ones that don’t.

• It is not your responsibility to keep your child happy 24/7.  Happiness comes from within, and it’s not normal to feel that way all the time.  

• Those moments when you feel like a rotten parent?  Well, we all have those moments.  The truth is, we all make mistakes, but more often than not we are holding ourselves accountable to unrealistic standards.  Sometimes we have to sit with feeling frustrated and uncomfortable, because parenting isn’t always roses and rainbows.

We’re going to go out on a limb and guess that none of this is news to you.  We just want you to hear it from us: parenting is not a perfect art.  There are no experts.  Even those moms and dads that seem to have it together have their moments!

So, what can we actually do as parents?  How can we raise our children with mindfulness, love, and gratitude?  The key is to just keep it simple.  When the days start to feel too hectic and crazy, dial it back.  Find your way back to joyful living as a family.

Here are a few simple ways to be a great parent without stressing about being a great parent:

1. Don’t worry about what other people think. 

So your 5-year-old wants to wear the right side of their hair in a braid and the other side down and full of sparkly clips to that party at Grandma’s house?  Let them!  If someone can’t appreciate the adorable creative expression, that’s on them.  The same goes for a million other parenting choices that people often feel they have the right to criticize.  They don’t.  If you’re feeling brave you could politely tell them so, but if not a vague smile and nod goes a long way.

2. Encourage your child to be independent. 

You don’t need to be on every moment.  Your child should be able to entertain themselves some of the time.  Of course the length and duration of time will vary greatly depending on age, but you can teach them early that they are able to do things for themselves.  Not only will this allow you to focus some of your time on necessary tasks (including that moment to just sit with a piece of chocolate), but you will be helping your child learn critical skills that will carry them through the rest of their lives.

3. Lean on your community. 

You don’t have to do this parenting thing alone.  We all need other adults in our village to get us through the tough times and help us celebrate the good ones.  Look to your child’s teachers, other parents, or friends when you need them.  While we shouldn’t take all the information thrown at us too seriously, we should have people we trust and can turn to when we actually do need advice.  Sometimes it can feel empowering just to hear that others are going through similar experiences.  If you don’t already have parent friends, make a point to seek some out.  Time spent with them will help put everything into perspective.

We hope this article has put a little bit of love into your day.  If you need any support on this (or any other) topic, please feel free to reach out.  We are here for you.  

Montessori Basics: Cosmic Education

When Dr. Montessori began developing the elementary curriculum, she knew it had to be vastly different from the work of younger children.  Not only were the academic skills to be more challenging, but the manner in which content was to be delivered shouldn’t be the same.  This was because she understood that in the second plane of development (ages 6-12), children’s needs are very different from the needs of their younger selves.

She coined the term cosmic education to describe the work done in the elementary years.  Around age 6, a child’s scope of vision tends to expand beyond themselves.  Social connections are suddenly far more important, they develop vivid imaginations, and they become curious about their world, their universe, and how they fit into the big picture.  Our task is to provide a framework in which they can explore those areas.

One way we tap into the wonder of the elementary mind is via what we call the Great Lessons.  The five Great Lessons are not synonymous with cosmic education, but rather they are a springboard from which the work can begin.  These lessons are dramatic and impressionistic.  They open doors in the child’s imagination from which a wide scope of learning can begin.

These five lessons are given each year, although some schools may divide them between lower and upper elementary levels.  Over the course of three years in a classroom, a child will receive a lesson three times, with a different level of deepening understanding each time.  The weeks and months that follow will include many related lessons, though these may vary from year to year in order to cover a range of topics and student interests.

The Beginning/The Creation of the Universe

Typically given near the beginning of the school year, this lesson is a delight for children.  The guide prepares materials while the children are elsewhere: a long series of “experiments” and other props that will be used during the telling of the story.  The blinds are drawn, lights turned off, and perhaps there is some soft music playing as the students arrive and take their seats facing the guide.

The story begins with a description of the time before our universe began: how it was colder and darker than we can even imagine, and how in an instant [a black balloon filled with glitter and confetti is popped] it came into being.  A soft candle is lit, and the guide launches into storytelling about how different particles came together and moved apart.  They talk about the immense number of stars in our universe, states of matter, how quickly light travels, and how the solar system and the surface of the Earth formed over time.  The lesson culminates with the explosion of a model volcano, and setting the stage for the life that was to come in Earth’s future.

Follow-up lessons and work are often related to the study of space, chemistry, physics, geology, and geography.  The lesson is also a great prequel to teaching children about the scientific method and how to conduct experiments.  

The Coming of Life

A bit later in the school year the children will begin to learn about the evolution of life on Earth.  Two materials: the Long Black Strip and the Clock of Eras give children a visual idea of the amount of time Earth has been in existence compared to how long humans (and other living beings) have been here.  It’s often shocking for children (and adults!) to see a long black strip of fabric (Earth’s lifespan) running the length of a long hallway, with a tiny strip of white at one end to represent all of humanity.  These types of lessons are humbling to children, and they begin to give them a sense of connection to those that have come before us.

The main event of this great lesson, however, is the Timeline of Life.  This gorgeous, colorful, illustrated material shows children just how life has evolved throughout history.  From early one-celled organisms to the first plants, and invertebrates, through the various vertebrates throughout time, children in the elementary years adore this work.  They learn about how fossils are our records of the past, and how our understanding of the past changes with each new discovery.  (The Timeline of Life has been revised several times!)

Follow-up work includes plenty of biology content.  Children learn about the five kingdoms of life on Earth.  They take a close look at the five classes of vertebrates, their external features, and internal body functions.  They learn about the biology of plants as well, from algae and mosses to flowering and fruiting plants, and so many more.

The Coming of Humans

This lesson includes a beautiful timeline as well that displays dates and evidence of our evolution from the earliest hominids to the present day.  Children learn about what makes humans special, and how our ability to think, feel, and work have let us make developments that are unique to our species.  They learn about the migration humans have made across the globe and how we have used various tools and technologies to make our lives easier.

Montessori guides introduce children to the concept of the fundamental needs of humans.  We discuss what those needs are and how we meet them today.  One material allows children to explore how these same needs have been met by various civilizations throughout history.  Learning about our past as a species is important for children in the second plane of development.  It helps them develop a sense of self, and a sense of belonging in the bigger picture.

The History of Mathematics

Simply put, children are fascinated to learn about the origins of math and numbers.  This focus allows them to take a peek at how math has transformed over time, and to learn which people have made significant contributions to our mathematical understanding.

This comes at a perfect time, as they are simultaneously learning the foundational math skills that will take them through the rest of their lives.  When a child is working on their subtraction problems and they are able to relate it back to the beginnings of subtraction, the work is so much more meaningful and exciting for them.

The History of Language

Similar to the previous lesson, the history of language gives children a framework in which they might place their own learning of language.  By this time in their lives they have mastered oral language, but they are still very much engaged in the development of their own reading and writing skills.  To learn about the origins of such things is empowering and fascinating, and makes their work more special than it otherwise would be.

We hope this has been an interesting topic to read about.  If you have any questions or would like to observe in our elementary program to see cosmic education at work, please let us know!  We think you will find the experience enlightening and rewarding.

Raising a Reader

Over the years, study after study has proven the importance of emphasizing reading in the lives of young children.  The benefits are numerous and varied, and you can learn about just a few of them here. You have no doubt heard the advice before, but here are four simple steps to raising your child as a reader.

1. Read aloud to your child

If you don’t already, now is a great time to start.  Regardless of their age, reading aloud to your child every day will make a huge impact.  Babies begin to learn early language by hearing a parent read.  Toddlers and preschoolers increase their vocabulary, which helps them excel in the classroom.  Elementary-aged children can listen to your voice to learn about fluency, pace, inflection, and emphasis as they begin to read aloud.  Even preteens and young teenagers stand to benefit from reading aloud if they’ll still let you (many will!); reading together as your child gets older is an opportunity for bonding and to discuss a wide variety of topics.

The key?  Make reading aloud part of your routine.  Many families squeeze it in at bedtime, but find a time that works for you.  Mixing it up can keep reading fun.  Explore picture books and chapter books, Caldecott and Newbery winners, or delve into an author study.  Make sure the books are something you both enjoy and you will both look forward to the experience.

2. Let your child see you reading

Specifically, let your child see you reading for pleasure.  As a busy parent, it can be easy to let enjoyable reading slip to the wayside, but modeling the habit will help instill it in your child.

One simple way to make this happen?  Set aside some family quiet reading time on the weekends.  Everyone can get comfy, gather up their books, and sit together while doing their own reading.  This may be tough to do in the beginning, especially for little ones, but with some practice you may all come to love this special ritual.  Two pro tips: grab some snacks and use a visual timer.

3. Support their gradual independence

At some point (often during first grade but there is plenty of variability) your child should begin reading to themselves for 20-30 minutes each night.  As with any other skill, this doesn’t happen overnight, and takes lots of support and incremental steps toward independence.

If your child isn’t reading yet or is resistant to reading, don’t push it.  The goal is to keep reading fun.  If you have specific questions about your child’s progress, their teacher is your best resource.

If your child is starting to read on their own, take it slow and don’t expect too much at once.  Some ideas:

• Read a familiar book (rhyming books work best for this).  Point to the last word on a page without saying it and let your child chime in.

• Take turns.  To prevent fatigue, try alternating pages.  You read a page, your child reads a page, and so on.  

• Utilize a combination of read aloud and read alone time.  You may read one picture book or a chapter, then send your child off to bed to read to themselves until it’s time to go to sleep.

• Designate specific read aloud and read alone days of the week.

• Remember that everyone has tired and grumpy days.  Sometimes we all need a break!

Another great way to support early readers is to suggest strategies or point out when you notice they are using them.  Pictures can help us figure out words we don’t know.  Breaking a word into chunks is another helpful strategy.  Asking ourselves, “Does that make sense?” is a good idea.  Even the act of noticing when we’ve made a mistake, and going back to reread is the sign of a great reader.

4. Help them discover books they love

The best way to raise a reader is to surround them with books they love.

Some parents may balk at this.  After all, do we really want to encourage those books about bathroom humor, or graphic novels that have more illustrations than words?  Yes!  We do!  Many graphic novels today and visually stunning but also great examples of a newer style of literature.  As for the potty joke/unicorn puppy/tv character books?  Treat them like you might treat candy.  Explain to your child that we all enjoy a little junk once in a while and that’s okay, but we need to balance our reading diet just like we balance our food diet.

What is your child interested in?  Nonfiction is often a great place to start.  There are books written for all interests and it’s often easy to find them at all reading levels.  As time goes on, you may notice your child gravitating toward a particular genre or author.  Go with the flow!  Their interests will change over time, but we can all remember a time when we couldn’t stop ourselves from soaking up every book we could in a series.

Introducing our children to a wide variety of genres is a good idea.  Think beyond fact and fantasy!  Try out some realistic fiction, historical fiction, poetry, folktales, myths and legends, or even a play script.  

There are lots of great ways to keep your collection fresh without breaking the bank.  Visit your local library, check out second-hand bookstores, have a book swap with friends, or organize a used book sale.  

We hope these tips have been helpful.  Do you have any you would add to the list?

Wishing you all many beautiful years of reading with your child!

5 Fun Ways to Bring the Outdoors Indoors

It’s no surprise that we tend to spend more time indoors during the winter than we do during the warmer months.  While your kids may have a blast playing outside some of the time, they will inevitably get cold at some point and need to come inside.  The good news is that doesn’t mean their experiences with the outdoors needs to stop!

Here we share five fun and simple ways to bring nature inside.

1. Snow play for the littlest ones

We are full advocates for the Scandinavian saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”  Everyone has their limits, however, and you may not be keen on taking your infant out in sub-freezing temperatures.  

The solution?  Bring a little bit of the white stuff inside for them to explore.  This idea is really as simple as it gets, but can provide your baby or toddler with an interesting and enriching experience.  Grab a tray, a sturdy bowl, or even a heavy baking dish, and put just a few handfuls of snow inside.  Set it on a floor surface that you don’t mind getting a little wet and invite your child to explore.  A large bath towel underneath can make the whole experience a little more comfortable for them and make cleanup even easier for you.

(In the meantime, you can send older kids outside to try out some of these cool snow experiments.)

2. Plant a few seeds

It may not be prime gardening season, but the warmth inside should be enough for this fun activity.  Keep in mind the point is just to grow something; don’t worry about producing edible vegetables or gorgeous blooms.  Gather a few materials:

• A container - preferably a small pot with adequate drainage, but anything similar will do

• Some soil - you can pick up potting soil at your local garden center if the ground outside your house is frozen

• Seeds!  These can really be anything.  Perhaps you have some leftover bean seeds from last year’s garden.  Maybe you have some dried lentils in your pantry.  You could even save a few seeds from that pepper you cut up for dinner.

Find a warm, sunny spot in your home and have your child help you plant, water, and observe the seed.  You can read books together about plants, research the specific plant you’re growing, or even tie in some math with measurement and data collection.

Feeling inspired?  This is a great time of year to begin planning your spring garden!  Children will love helping to draw out plans and look through seed catalogs.

3. Create natural tablescapes

Everyone appreciates a beautiful centerpiece.  Why spend money on flowers wrapped in plastic when you can find beauty in your own backyard?  On a not-so-chilly day, take a walk with your child and collect beautiful pieces to arrange.  Using a vase (or even a mason jar or glass milk bottle), proudly display what you find.

Keep an eye out for:

• Interesting branches (birch and dogwood have unexpected color, but regular brown colored branches are just as pretty!)

• Evergreen foliage - pine, holly, and other types of shrubs and bushes can give your home a beautiful green look

• Dried berries and flowers

• Pinecones

Once inside you can add candles, ribbon, or whatever else you have lying around.  Ask your kids to come up with ideas, too!

4. Make something for the animals

Ice, snow, and frigid temperatures can make finding food difficult for wild animals.  Have fun making treats for them while also cultivating a sense of generosity with your children.  

Remember covering pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed when you were a child?  Birds still love them.  Try this fun and super simple activity with your own children!  Find whatever string or yarn you have and hang them from nearby bushes and trees.

Another fun project: pop up a big batch of popcorn, and using a needle and thread, make a long string to hang.  This activity is great for older children, and as a bonus they can snack while they create.

Looking for more ideas?  Check out this site.

Wondering whether it’s a good idea to feed the birds?  Here’s what the Audubon Society has to say about it. 

5. Set up a bird watching station

All those bird treats you made together?  Put them on double duty: set them up in a spot where your children can see the birds out the window and you can create hours of entertainment.

If you happen to have a window that looks out toward trees or bushes, it may just be the perfect spot to try and attract local birds.  Set up some bird feeders or homemade bird treats and wait for them to come.  Meanwhile, set the scene inside as well.  A comfortable chair or pillow on the floor will encourage children to sit and watch.  Visit your local library and borrow a few bird-specific field guides to help with identification.  Other fun items to leave nearby: a pair of binoculars, a sketch pad and colored pencils, or a journal.  

Enjoy!

What does your family do to appreciate nature during the winter?  

Work or Play? A Peek Inside the Montessori Classroom

You know Montessori classrooms are different than most.  You’ve heard the rumors: children run around doing whatever they please.  It’s all play and no work.  Or perhaps you’ve heard the opposite: our structures are so rigid we stifle creativity and natural childhood behavior.

What’s it really like?

We can practically guarantee that once you step inside a classroom for yourself, sit quietly in a corner, and observe the children and adults at work, your impressions will be transformed.  We encourage parents to do so whenever possible; the children are used to visitors and we have tips on how your presence can be unobtrusive to them but informative for you.  We hope you’ll schedule a visit soon if you’ve never been, or even if it’s just been a while.

In the meantime, this post will give you some idea of what you might see in a typical, high fidelity Montessori classroom.

Arrival

From the moment they step in the door, expectations are different for Montessori children, even as young as our toddlers.  Children are responsible for hanging their own bags and coats on hooks.  They learn to change their own shoes, with most classrooms requiring that children wear either slippers or a special pair of shoes designated for indoor school use only.  This is done in part to keep our classrooms clean, but also to give children a sense that their classroom feels more comfortable and home-like.

Guides greet students upon their arrival.  They often make a point of shaking a child’s hand, looking them in the eye, and saying their name along with a friendly hello.  By doing this, we are intentionally modeling polite human interactions.  Before long, the children learn how to greet us back, and they are even able to apply this skill outside of school.

The Work Period

Also called the morning work cycle, this period of time is a hallmark of the Montessori approach.  We believe that children need a longer stretch of time to involve themselves deeply in independent work, so we honor this need by providing an uninterrupted block of time each morning.

How much time?  That depends on the age of the child.  Typically, for children ages 3 and up, the work period is three hours long.  It’s not quite so long for younger children, and older children may have a second work period in the afternoon.  

During this time children work independently while guides give small group or independent lessons.  Sometimes it may appear that a child is playing, and while that is true, certain types of play are critical to learning.  It is also important to note that Dr. Montessori developed her educational materials to appeal to children, so what may look like a simple puzzle could actually be a manipulative biology diagram.  What looks like pretty colored beads are, in fact, tools for exploring complex mathematical concepts.

Montessori children are able to make a lot of choices during this time.  We allow freedom of movement: that is, they may sit where they like, stand and walk around the room if their bodies require a break, and use the restroom safely without needing an adult’s permission.  We provide a range of seating options as well.  Some children prefer to work alone or with others, some like to sit at a table or on the floor.  Adults appreciate having choices while they work, and we believe children should be afforded the same respect.

What types of work might you see?  You may be surprised to see even very young children working on the following subjects:

• Math

• Language

• Biology

• Geography

• Practical life skills

• Sensory refinement (up to age 6)

• Geometry

Socializing

Montessori education takes the perspective that we must nurture the whole child.  This is a popular concept with parents and teachers across a wide variety of settings, but Montessori schools have structures built into their programs that allow for deeper exploration and support of the social self.

The aspects of choice are one way we support children’s social development.  Rather than assigning seats or requiring children to work alone or in pairings that are predetermined by adults, we generally let children choose if they would rather work independently or cooperatively, and with whom they would like to work.  That being said, in any group of people, some personalities work well together, while others do not; we help guide children to differentiate between what makes a positive complementary work partner for them, and what constitutes a fun (and perhaps silly) friendship that can be developed outside the work period.

As children grow older, they begin to place a stronger emphasis on friendships.  The process of figuring out what healthy friendships should look and feel like is a major work of children in the elementary years.  Attachments form, and children come to rely on the company of one another.  Of course, another reality of these years is that all children will face social conflict at some point or another.  

One benefit of a Montessori environment is that the guides are able to set aside time and space to help children navigate conflict.  We teach mediation strategies, inclusivity, and conflict resolution.  We are able to assist children both proactively and reactively.  We often use stories to teach children important lessons about social skills.  Role play is another tool used in classrooms when negative patterns begin to form; when children are able to have fun and remove themselves personally from an experience, they can learn positive approaches to resolving common dilemmas. 

The Guide’s Role

Another often surprising element of the Montessori classroom is the role our guides take.  To begin with, they are typically referred to as guides, rather than teachers, as we believe the name is a far better descriptor of the task.  Instead of feeding children a stream of information we expect them to internalize, we lay a path before them, open the door, and give them the tools to explore and learn.

In the primary years (ages 3-6), lessons are usually given individually.  This allows the guide to give their full attention to the child before them, and to honor their individual needs.  In the elementary years, lessons are typically given to small groups of children, honoring their developmental desire to work alongside their peers.

Another delicate task of the Montessori guide is to know when to step in and assist a child, and when to stand back and allow them to find a solution themselves.  Generally speaking, we tend to take the latter approach.  We believe that children are capable of much more than we often give them credit for, and given the opportunity, they will rise to the occasion.  This approach helps build resilience and confidence.

Lastly, the guide’s job is to observe.  We watch the children in our care to learn which skills they have mastered, which they are progressing in, and which they may require additional support with.  Though we may not always intervene, we notice what they are doing, both academically and socially.  We take copious notes to inform our practice, record their progress, and to share our findings with parents.

Montessori guides don’t consider themselves the center of the classroom.  We are merely there to support the learning of the children.

Still curious?  Good!  Call us today to schedule a time to observe.  See a Montessori classroom in action for yourself.  We know it will be an amazing experience.