What is a Montessori birthday celebration?
Birthdays are deeply significant. They represent the passage of time, which is an important albeit abstract concept for children to grasp. Maria Montessori thought up a birthday ritual to help children understand that they are growing older…
Language: Sound Lesson
Maria Montessori’s sandpaper letters sharply contrast with the traditional approach of looking at letters to memorise them, in that it engages three senses – visual, auditory and tactile – to support children’s ability to learn and remember.
Everything…
Montessori Moments: Each individual is valued
An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking: it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live. —Maria,…
Maths: Odd & Even numbers
Montessori’s Odd and Even maths activity (sometimes called Cards and Counters) introduces the abstract concept of odd and even numbers visually, making it easier for little minds to grasp. It is usually introduced after children have become…
Autumn-themed activities for Montessori families
The golds, reds and browns of autumn signal the transition from summer to winter. The days slowly get darker and the weather a little cooler. September (in particular) is an incredible month; still warm, not too wet (yet) plus it’s conker…
Practical Life: Food Preparation
Working in the kitchen is a wonderful way to include children in everyday family activities; not only will children learn practical life skills but they will be engaged on a sensory level, too.
If this is something you’d like to do…
Practical Life: Transferring objects
There are many fun activities that children can do to develop their fine motor skills but one of the favourites in the Montessori classroom is transferring objects. This is something that keeps little ones occupied for ages and can certainly…
Chores for small children
What we think of as “chores” Maria Montessori thought of as daily life or practical life skills. The benefits of children helping out around the house has been well researched and documented; it teaches responsibility, independence and importantly,…
Ten tips on how to manage coronavirus fears in the early years
Life during the Covid-19 pandemic has been strange and difficult but the return to school for many children in the early years group is, hopefully, a welcome step. Little ones will be able to reconnect with their friends and teachers, and although…
Practical Life: Water Pouring
In a Montessori classroom, the water pouring activity is the first follow-on from the Dry Pouring lesson where children learn the skill transferring dry goods from one jug to another. To practice water pouring at home, you will need: two jugs,…
Toddler self-hygiene – washing hands
Maria Montessori was a trained physician and sought to teach children at an early age how to incorporate the practical life skill of personal hygiene into their daily lives. As well as nurturing an understanding that being hygienically safe…
Practical Life: Tying Frame
Learning to tie a shoelace is one of the most exciting milestones for a child (and a parent, too!) but it takes time to learn, requiring much practice before perfection. In Montessori classrooms, we use a bow-tying frame, which involves the…