We understand that there's a lot of content to read and watch about Montessori and early years education. The following videos are taken from our YouTube channel & are a good starting point for developing your own view & understanding.
Living Montessori: The Parent Perspective
A great video from the American Montessori Society. Parents tell you, in their own words, what makes Montessori education special. Go “beyond 2+2” and see the difference that Montessori can make in your child’s life
Dr Steve Hughes: Montessori and the Future of Education
Get a good understanding of the principles and science behind Montessori in under 4 minutes.
Montessori Madness
The father of three Montessori students, a business jet pilot, author, and international speaker, Trevor Eissler provides a quick overview on Montessori and the differences with traditional or mainstream education.
You can learn more about Trevor over at his website http://www.montessorimadness.com/
Montessori Principles
A brief overview of the principles of Montessori education.
LET THE CHILD BE THE GUIDE
As a young father, watching his daughter go through her life experiences, film director Alexandre Mourot discovered the Montessori approach and decided to set his camera up in a children’s house (3 to 6 years of age) in the oldest Montessori school in France.
Alexandre was warmly welcomed in a surprisingly calm and peaceful environment, filled with flowers, fruits and Montessori materials. He met happy children, who were free to move about, working alone or in small groups. The teacher remained very discreet. Some children were reading, others were making bread, doing division, laughing or sleeping.
The children guided the film director throughout the whole school year, helping him to understand the magic of their autonomy and self-esteem – the seeds of a new society of peace and freedom, which Maria Montessori dedicated her life work to. Read about this feature film.
Looking to Montessori to Guide Education Reform: Anna Lee at TEDxMidA
Anna Lee has been described as an "educator to the bone." Lee is a first generation Korean-American from the DC region. She believes that the human potential begins within the hands of a child. In 2010, she was appointed the Director of Education at Meadows Montessori in Frederick. With thirteen years experience teaching Montessori, her dedication to early childhood education spans far beyond her years. She has also served as an Intensive Individual Support counsellor for Autistic teens. An avid world traveller, she advocates and consults for Montessori programs for schools all over the world.
Dr Montessori believed in education for peace. I believe in peace. Right now it breaks my heart that people do not feel safe in their own skin. Simone from Montessori Notebook has curated the most useful resources she has found. Follow the links that feel good for you where you are on your racial justice […]
A growing understanding of how responsive relationships and language-rich experiences for young children help build a strong foundation for later success in school has driven increased investment and sparked innovation in early learning around the world. The rapidly advancing frontiers of 21st-century biological sciences now provide compelling evidence that the foundations of lifelong health are […]
A Montessori child chooses independent geography work using simple, screen-free materials at home. As we continue to work and learn during school closures, it is helpful to remember a few simple Montessori classroom principles that can be applied at home. Time In Montessori classrooms, children are not rushed—there is an uninterrupted work period all morning […]
Schools across the country are desperately trying to work out how social distancing could work this winter and into spring. With no timescale for when the Covid-19 crisis will end, it is not just a question of meeting government guidelines but allaying the fears of parents now and well into the future. Many people will […]
While the coronavirus pandemic has changed many things around the world, it has not stopped child development. In this series of special episodes of The Brain Architects podcast, we aim to share helpful resources and ideas in support of all those who are caring for children while dealing with the impacts of COVID-19. The first […]
Over the same period that children have become ever less free to create and pursue their own activities, the mental health of children and young adults has declined. In recent years researchers have documented record levels of anxiety, depression, and suicide in children; increasing numbers of young adults who fall apart when faced with the independence […]
You’ve almost certainly heard of COVID-19 at this point. In fact, your life is probably very different than it was before the outbreak. You may be one of the billions of people around the world being asked to stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. These stay-at-home orders mean children […]
By Letty Rising and Elizabeth Slade Without warning, children across the country have experienced a dramatic shift in how they participate in daily learning. In addition, children who relied on social service connections and food service programs provided at school were suddenly without these essential resources. Educators have put their heads together to experiment […]
“When I was a kid, there was lots and lots of free play with no parental interaction. My kids cannot be alone for five minutes. WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?” That post was just one of many desperate pleas that came across my Facebook feed as parents in coronavirus quarantines vented online. Parents are trying […]
Human Tendencies In A Time Of Pandemic No seriously, bear with me here. Of course Montessori doesn’t ever close, right? Because Montessori is about serving life and serving the child. Its not about classrooms and schools, even though that’s where we tend to practice it. So if Montessori never closes, what do Montessori people […]
With an impending lockdown as part of COVID-19 we’ve been pulling together great activities you can do with your children at home. The following list provided by Christina Clemer, is a great starting point, and after you show your child how to complete an activity, put it on a shelf where they can reach it […]
Software engineer Ryan Nevius of Montessori.tools created an interactive, online Peg Board and Stamp Game to support Montessori educators, students and parents worldwide during the COVID-19 lockdown. He plans to add more tools, what a great initiative ! Visit: https://montessori.tools
Issued by Italy, the 2 euro coin with Maria Montessori’s image, geometric and math curriculum images and 12 stars marks the 150th anniversary of her birth. Read More: https://www.coin-database.com/coins/2-euro-coin-150th-anniversary-of-the-birth-of-maria-montessori-italy-2020.html
The Coronavirus is a Stark Reminder We Are One Global Family An Article by: Andrew Kutt What a difference a month makes. The whole world is reacting to a pandemic of a previously unknown virus. It’s an emergency on a global scale, dominating every news cycle. It’s the subject of conversations over coffee counters at 7-11 […]
Dear families and educators, Manuela Molina from Mindheart has built this short book for children between 2 and 7 years old with the purpose of anticipating and accompanying the emotional world of children against the COVID-19 virus. This resource does not seek to be a source of scientific information but rather a tool based on […]
I often get asked where I find my favourite artwork for my classroom and for Montessori printables. There is a wealth out there so here are my current favourite sources to get you started. I’m not affiliated with any of these, I just like and love them. And of course please remember to follow your […]
In thousands of classrooms around the world, as children work independently to solve math problems with beads and learn the alphabet with sandpaper letters, their activities can be traced back a century to Maria Montessori’s radical educational philosophy. One of the first female physicians in Italy, Montessori developed early-childhood teaching methods that made the student a respected […]
You may already know a bit about the Montessori work period, also known as the work cycle. What exactly is it, and why is it so important? A Montessori work cycle is an uninterrupted block of time. During this time children are able to explore the prepared environment and engage with materials of their own […]
February, often known as the month of love, is a reminder of the importance of the bonds we share with our loved ones. You can cultivate a strong bond with your child beginning at birth. As you welcome your little one to the world, and create a nurturing environment, you will be laying a lifelong […]
The Montessori method is full of insights into parenting, teaching, and learning. Here is a Montessori glossary to help you get familiar with this brilliant and proven educational methodology. First, who was Dr. Maria Montessori? Dr. Montessori created the Montessori method. She was the first female doctor in Italy, and overcame many obstacles (like […]
As parents, our interest in Montessori comes always from a place of love–expressed as a desire to provide the best environment possible for our baby’s learning! Montessori is sometimes known as “education for peace,” which intimately connects it with love. Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori curriculum and an expert on early childhood development, […]
The first ever documentary film on Montessori education – as lived by the children themselves. Director Alexandre Mourot spends a year filming a class in which students direct their own learning. As a young father, watching his daughter go through her life experiences, Mourot discovered the Montessori approach and decided to set his camera up […]
What’s the best way to motivate children? The intrinsic motivation to learn about the world around us begins in infancy. This type of motivation can either be encouraged or suppressed by the experiences adults provide for children. Psychological research points to a set of promising approaches that parents and practitioners can use to promote positive […]
What is motivation? The brain systems that govern motivation are built over time, starting in the earliest years of development. These intricate neural circuits and structures are shaped by interactions between the experiences we have and the genes we are born with, which together influence both how our motivation systems develop and how they function […]
New scientific research shows that environmental influences can actually affect whether and how genes are expressed. In fact, scientists have discovered that early experiences can determine how genes are turned on and off and even whether some are expressed at all. Thus, the old ideas that genes are “set in stone” or that they alone […]
Dr Montessori outlined four consecutive planes, or stages, of development from birth to maturity, each plane spanning approximately six-years. At each plane of development children and young people display intellectual powers, social orientations and creative potential unique to that stage. Each plane is characterised by the way children in that plane learn, building on the […]
I regularly get asked by people what activities might be suitable for their child. So over the coming newsletters, I’ve decided to make a Montessori shelfie by age group. Hopefully this will be a helpful resource over the coming months. Also, don’t forget I put together this free 42-page download for you of Montessori activities […]
Montessori-Inspired Tips to Get Preschool Kids Involved in Making Lunches Tips abound online on what healthy foods to pack into your preschooler’s school lunch (see articles here, here, here, here—or just Google “packing school lunches”), yet rarely does anyone ask the question of who should be packing the lunch. What can and should your child’s […]
“Can we apply the Montessori approach at home if our child doesn’t go to Montessori school?” Isn’t it funny how there seems to be one question everyone is asking at the same time. The last two weeks this is what I keep hearing… “We can’t afford a Montessori school”/”We don’t have a Montessori school in […]
The 31st August 2020 is 150 years since the birth of Maria Montessori. Montessori was ahead of her time in her research, educational approach and pioneering work for social reform. The work of Montessori today continues to motivate people to change the world for the better and has impacted the lives of children and teachers […]
Download The ultimate list of Montessori activities for babies, toddlers and preschoolers provided by The Montessori Notebook.com
With the explosion in podcast popularity we thought we would list our favourite’s for Montessori inspiration. Baan Dek Montessori Montessori Education with Jesse McCarthy Dr Montessori’s Own Handbook The Art of Parenting Let us know if you have come across other great podcasts we should share with our community. Great Podcasts for (Montessori) Kids Do […]
You may think your toddler is relatively dependent and that the things they do around the house don’t matter, but you’d be wrong. Simple actions parents take at home can have a long lasting impact on the way your child enters their first years of school. Here are 80 life skills you can allow your […]
I’m often asked, “What is Positive Discipline?” For me, and I don’t mean to be too dramatic, it was a rude awakening, changed my life and saved it at the same time. Let me explain… I discovered Positive Discipline during my first year working in a mixed age Montessori classroom. At 43, I had decided […]
August 31st is a special day. Maria Montessori would have turned 149. She passed in 1952, but her legacy lives on. Children all over the world are working daily in classrooms just like the one she cobbled together in 1907. Adults are witnessing the same discoveries she made. Generations later, has childhood really changed all […]
Here we are in Maria Montessori’s birthday month! Her 149th birthday would have been at the end of this August. And while her career began in the 19th century, we believe that Montessori education is more relevant today than ever, not only because of the needs of our world, but also because of research that […]
When I’m upset — insert also overwhelmed, exhausted, angry, impatient — it takes me awhile to work through it. It’s not easy for me to simply shake it off, restrain or ignore however I’m feeling either. I need time to reflect, talk about and work through strong emotions, and I need empathy in that, too. […]
Do you feel guilty or stressed every time you see a report about the importance of limiting screen time? Do you want to limit screen time, but aren’t sure how to wean your child off of their favorite TV shows? The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released guidelines encouraging very limited screen time for children under 5 years old, but if this […]
Families want to be supportive of their children’s development. We all get the same 24 hours in the day, so whether our work is unpaid as a primary caregiver or takes us outside the home for most of the day and many special occasions, between chores and school and sleep and the zillion other unnameable […]
Most of us who work with children and/or have children of our own know well that little boys and girls are not the only ones who can find it challenging to handle anger and stress. We can too, of course. A significant challenge when being around children can be stress. That stress has many different […]
Clive Thompson, the science and technology writer, wrote a piece in The New York Times, entitled, The Minecraft Generation. In the article, he sought to offer a cultural commentary on what could broadly be defined as how children are learning in the digital world. His use case? Minecraft, the computer game that has become a […]
Valid and reliable scientific research and brain development theory should be the driving force behind any school system. Sadly, in our country, that is too often not the reality. Too many of our nation’s schools are based on an industrial-era, conveyor-belt, “information-in, information-out” style. Missing in this antiquated approach is the child as an agent […]
There are so many incredible options out there if you want to read more about Montessori and early childhood development. Here are 7 best books on the magic of the first years of childhood These are Montessori classics that you will love, covering everything from how to incorporate Montessori in your home, to Montessori theory, […]
First of all, who doesn’t say “good job!” to their kids? It’s a catch-all sort of praise that you can easily blurt out while you’re also skimming the news, chopping vegetables or peeking out of the bathroom to watch your child do some sort of jumpy twirly move that he’s obviously very proud of. Yet, […]
There’s this beautiful quote from Dr. Montessori’s Words of Advice to Teachers, published 95 years ago. “She must give her lesson, plant the seed and then disappear; observing and waiting, but not touching.” May 6th marks the anniversary of Dr. Montessori’s passing, and, like many dates of note, often has us feeling a bit sentimental. We’re […]
With emotional intelligence a hot topic in the world’s of parenting and education I (Gavin McCormack) thought I would put together 26 of the best activities parents, carers and teachers can do to allow children to feel emotional grounded. The idea is that we build skills within the children in our care to allow them […]
A quick glance into many Montessori classrooms will showcase not just students, guide, materials, and furniture, but also often plants. Why is that? Does the teacher just like ferns, or is there a reason? As usual, there is always a reason in Montessori. For why we have plants, there are several reasons! Let’s explore those together. […]
What do you think of when you think of work? What do your family members, colleagues, peers, employees, and children say or think? If you google, “define work,” you will come up with a definition that you will probably find surprising. Using the word work as a verb, it states, “be engaged in physical or […]
Children are aware and can be introduced to toilet learning and independence as soon as they are autonomously mobile. They will often show signs of readiness long before the adults are organised to help them achieve toilet independence. As adults we have little control of our children toileting, what we do have control of, is […]
Montessori. Marie Kondo. Minimalism. Three ideas which support each other quite well. So much so that soon after Marie Kondo published her book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying” in 2014, I added a bonus lesson in my Montessori spaces e-course about how we could use these ideas to help us get rid of the […]
