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Practical Life: The Silence Game

As a parent, silence is a rare, wonderful thing. Its effect is calming and centring, and although it might seem like children do not value the gift of silence, its benefits are paramount. In The Secret of Childhood, Maria Montessori said,…
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Jeans for Genes 2017

St Andrew’s Montessori is always excited to participate in Jeans for Genes fundraisers and this September past, we managed to raise a fabulous £151.72 for the charity. Jeans for Genes helps disorder-specific charities and patient groups…
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Sensorial: Colour Box 1 & 2

Colours are such an important part of life, enabling expression and evoking emotion, but it seems to take children ages to figure them out – their names, in particular. There’s a really great article in Scientific American that explores…
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A Montessori winter

There is something magical about winter. Possibly to do with a fat, jolly man preparing to squash himself down chimneys and into windows – it’s true – but there’s nothing quite like curling up with your kids under a fluffy blanket…
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Practical Life: Threading

A favourite activity amongst children in the Montessori classroom is Bead Stringing, or Threading. It forms part of Practical Life and helps children develop concentration, fine motor control and also concentration, which will serve them with…
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Festivals and Montessori

Celebrating holidays and festivals is a significant and exciting part of the Montessori curriculum, focusing on the traditions and rituals encompassing celebrations from religions and ethnicities the world over. Whilst festivals might…
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Language: Three Part Classification Cards

Learning new vocabulary can be daunting for any reader but Montessori methodology has a fabulous way of introducing new words in an accessible way. By attaching the new word to an image, the child’s brain is able to make a literal connection…
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Reception Visit to Morris/Khan Art Studio

St. Andrew’s Montessori Reception class recently had an outing to the art studio of Annie Morris and Idris Khan. Both Morris and Khan are counted among Britain’s most collectable young artists (Morris for her ethereal paintings and sculptures;…
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Cultural & Science: The Solar System

The planets are an endless source of fascination to children and Montessori methodology has a really fun way of introducing the solar system to developing young minds. Have a look at this lesson by My Works Montessori: As you’ll have…
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What makes Montessori learning different from conventional learning?

Montessori learning is unique, which is why many of us have chosen it as the best way to help our children live and succeed in a world that is likely to hurl challenges at them at any given chance. It focuses on the inner drive to learn…
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Practical Life: Dry Pouring

Although much of the learning that happens in a Montessori classroom requires specific Montessori materials, there are activities that can be practiced at home – Dry Pouring is one such exercise. All that is needed for a lesson is: a tray,…
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Swimming lessons the Montessori way

If there’s one thing that children love more than summer (and the parks, picnics and beaches that come along with it), it’s swimming. There’s just something about water – it’s where we started out after all – and Montessori has its…