Baan Dek Montessori

It's the time of year for making plans about what's coming next. We're often asked, what can we do to get ready for school? Here are our top three tips.

Why and how do we give choices? Which choices should we give? How should we present the choice, to set a child up for success? Is everything a choice?

Can how we think about clothing and about getting dressed make mornings a bit easier?

We received the best question on Facebook. Here are our thoughts on how to support children into altruism!

Children love to help, love working hard, love feeling the strong sense of belonging. We think of them as tasks that "have" to be done, children gain a sense of responsibility, attention to detail, and satisfaction.

An impulsive two-year-old flushing a whole roll of toilet paper, a four-year-old telling her sister not to cut her pants into shorts and then joining in, a six-year-old cleaning her room before bed without reminder. What do they have in common?

Just because we don't use tests doesn't mean we're not looking for children to be successful. In fact, just the opposite is true! So, if it's not an "A," how do we define success?

Math isn't just flashcards and worksheets. We use math all the time!

A child might always hang up their coat at school, but never at home, or always tidy their work, but leave small doll shoes for parents to step on at home. What's going on here?

What is this word, "discipline?" What do we mean? Why do we say it with such delight? Is it the same as punishment? Is it demanded, supported, imposed?

What's the purpose of Art in a Montessori classroom? How can we support creativity? How can we support the Process of Art, not just the Product?

Why do we say things like, "you did it!" and "congratulations!" but we try to avoid "good job?" Are Montessorians cold and unfeeling, or is there space for affirmation?

We love to give children gifts. For a birthday or a holiday, or because it's Tuesday or I was thinking of you. Looking for a great gift? Here are five of our favorites.

Stick to your guns of let it go? A pause and reflection on what's really important can help diffuse an argument, or provide another way to approach a situation.

Sometimes comparisons are helpful, sometimes, not so much. They can be a tool, or they can create challenges, or even internal conflict, when it might be unnecessary.

Communication is the give and take of everyday life. There can be challenges, and in this podcast, we provide some tips and suggestions from the classroom.

We recently held a Parent Education Workshop and a Webinar on A Montessori Life, uncovering a few areas of the classroom dynamics which sometimes translate well into family life. In this podcast, we chat with Jamie Bauer, Montessori Parent and Educator, on some ways she has brought Montessori into their home life, aspects of school they leave at school, and some challenges even a trained Montessorian faces!

No one will tell you what to do in a Montessori classroom. Opportunities will be provided, but it's up to you to choose how you're going to spend your time, what you'll do when faced with a challenge. It is empowering, and gives children motivation.

Work is motivating. When we only progress when a child has mastered something, we're instilling intrinsic motivation. The first in a two-part series on Motivation.

A few hints for starting the school year off strong.