Moving!

The time has come to say good-bye to this blog and start anew, with a different perspective – that of a parent. I hope you’ll join me at my new blog, The Full Monte(ssori), where I’ll explore Montessori from the perspective both of a Montessorian and a new parent. A little less snark (perhaps), a little more “What would Maria Montessori do?”, and a whole lot of interesting topics!! See you there!

Ultrasounds and “Following the Child”

Child development begins at conception, as does our responsibility to protect it and remove any obstacles that will hinder its progress.  Here are my thoughts on ultrasound and child development…

And Finally…

Guess what I’m receiving today???  My AMI Montessori Elementary Diploma!!!  I’m finally done and will finally be able to get back to my much-neglected blog!!!  Many updates to come, and I can’t WAIT to catch up on what everyone has been doing… Today is a good day at Montessori Matters. 

Almost there!

In just four weeks I graduate from the AMI Elementary training program in Bergamo, Italy!  Thanks for your patience, dear readers.  I assure you, it will be worth the wait.

PS: There’s an awesome surprise in the works… Just a few more weeks!

Start your own conversation!

A friend recently gave me a very simple little pin with three words on it: “Choose. Move. Repeat.”  These are the three fundamental rights that every child has in the Montessori classroom.  What I absolutely LOVE about this pin is what a GREAT conversation starter it is!  Wouldn’t you LOVE a pin or T-shirt of your own with which to start your own conversation??  Well, just head on over to www.metalinsect.com!

Happy shopping!

Montessori Mafia

Montessori is in the Wall Street Journal!  Enjoy!

http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/05/the-montessori-mafia/

Silent Journey

If your child is in a Montessori school, chances are you are curious about the kind of work she is doing.  And chances are, when you ask your child what she did today, the answer you consistently get is: “Nothing.”

In order to better understand and appreciate the developmental nature of the Montessori materials and how they can contribute to your child’s intellectual, emotional, moral, physical, and spiritual growth, many quality Montessori programs provide a Silent Journey once a year.  This is a unique opportunity for parents to put themselves in their children’s shoes and experience first-hand what their children did, are doing, and will do throughout their years in Montessori.

Click here to enjoy a beautiful photo essay by Matt Hillis, which clearly describes the usefulness and magic of the Silent Journey.  If your child’s school doesn’t do one, share the article with them and encourage them to set one up.

You will never look at your child – or at Montessori – the same way again.

My Favorite Zurich Moments

I don’t know what kind of incentives the Swiss government offers its population for having children, but there are kids EVERYWHERE in the elegant and exorbitantly expensive city of Zurich!  Here’s what I’ve seen this week…

- The city parks are over-run with tiny tots, younger than three, wearing reflective vests and snow suits, and running around while two daycare workers watch placidly from a bench.

- Tons of Elementary children take public transportation and walk to school by themselves.

- Mothers breast-feed in coffee shops, rarely using a nursing blanket.

- I almost got run-over by an apparently self-guided stroller (I could’ve sworn it was rolling by itself down the street and almost threw myself on it to stop it).  When it passed me, I turned to look behind it and there was a 3-year-old pushing it, with mom walking about six feet behind.

But my favorite Zurich moment thus far:

- A teacher showed an eight-year-old boy how to do long division with the Racks and Tubes while breast-feeding her six-month-old (minus nursing blanket, obviously).  None of the other 24 children in the classroom batted an eyelash.

I celebrated quietly.

 

For your weekend reading pleasure

While I make my way to Zurich, Switzerland for a week-long Elementary observation at Rietberg Montessori Schule, enjoy these beautiful and inspiring articles from www.MariaMontessori.com!

Putting Children First: A parent’s guide to understanding the importance of limits.

Adding to Octodecillions: How children will consistently exceed our expectations… if we let them.

Because my workload continues to mount…

Since I don’t have the time nor the energy to type up my training essays – let alone write anything coherent in this blog – I thought I would share with you these two totally awesome videos!  Enjoy!