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‘Going out’ Montessori style

A classroom is wonderful thing but Montessori learning is far more dynamic than just one space – all the time. Maria Montessori said this: “When the child goes out, it is the world itself that offers itself to him. Let us take the child…
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Sensorial: Binomial Cube

The binomial cube is like a puzzle; broken up into many different pieces of varying colour and sizing. Once assembled, it forms a cube of a binomial (a+b)3 – the direct purpose of the activity is to build the cube (by using skills such as…
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How important is handwriting in this age of technology?

Within the context of Montessori education there is often debate as to whether children should be taught print or cursive when first learning to write. It’s a conversation that sounds almost trivial in light of the fact that there is an…
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Practical Life: Care of plants

At St Andrew’s Montessori we take great pleasure in teaching children how to care for the environment. We incorporate a child’s innate desire to help and feel purposeful into many of our practical life activities, to both inspire them…
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Why multi-age classrooms are the best way for children to learn

One of the core learning principles separating Montessori education from most mainstream systems is the use of multi-age classrooms. Maria Montessori believed that one of most effective ways for children to learn, is from one another – with…
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Language: Picture Cards

One of the best things about the Montessori curriculum is that each and every lesson or activity is dynamic and adaptable according to the age and ability of the participating child/children. This is easily exemplified in activities using…
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Montessori for teens – yes, it exists!

Most families and children involved in Montessori primary and pre-schools fall in love with the academic freedom that is facilitated by an emphasis on discovery and child-centric learning. There are around 700 early years and primary institutions…
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Cultural Studies: Continent Boxes

Montessori methodology places great emphasis on other cultures and places in the world, which we explore as part of our Cultural Studies curriculum. One of our favourite activities at St Andrew’s Montessori is Cultural Boxes, of which there…
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Is Montessori a good fit for your child?

Parents want the best for their children and choosing the right school for a child is an important part of making sure that they are happy, healthy and well-adjusted. If you’re considering Montessori as an option for your little one, the good…
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Mathematics: Sandpaper Numbers

The wonderful thing about Montessori learning is that it incorporates the different senses into activities in an effort to assist learning. Sandpaper Numbers is one such activity; it ‘lives’ in the mathematics area of a Montessori classroom…
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5 top Montessori crafts to do with your child this autumn

One of the core principles of Montessori methodology is the idea that children want to learn about the world around them, and they want to do this not by being told about it but by discovering things for themselves. Our role, as directresses…
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Practical Life: Buttoning

It’s so easy, as parents, to fall into the trap of doing things for our children rather than giving them the opportunity to do things themselves. In our busy, modern lives; often we feel like we don’t have the time (and let’s be honest,…