Baan Dek Montessori

It's so easy to forget, EVERYTHING is learned. We learn from an early age that we have an impact on our environment -- the people and the things around us. Sometimes, when we say something, it's true. Sometimes, it isn't but is that the same as a lie? Or wishful thinking? Or hope? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

To help is one of our most important roles as adults in children's lives. It's one of the ways we live in relationship, and one of the reasons we need community. What are some of the ways we help, and what might be motivating factors behind this help? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Children want to know everything. There's such a drive to learn and to discover. Questions are second nature. How do we need more information, in order to best help a child? What are they REALLY asking? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Math is typically one of the last areas of the Primary Classroom a child works in. There are so many things a child is working on developing, skills required for success in math. Why do we wait? Why don't we jump in on the first day? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Practical Life is foundational for children under six, in both the Toddler and Primary Environments. Why do we show children sweeping, scrubbing, polishing? What is the point of all these materials? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Maximum Effort is a Montessori term for a quality Maria Montessori observed in very young children. Devoting all of their energy to mastering something, in order to fulfill their development. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

"Follow the Child" is a Montessori phrase that is used a lot, but what does it mean? What DOESN'T it mean? How do we know we're Following the Child? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Freedom and Discipline are big words in Montessori. Hugely important concepts, and so clear in practice, but difficult to understand, and to support equally. This podcast goes deeper into explaining how these two sides of the same coin manifest in the classroom. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

This work, the Montessori lifestyle, is all-encompassing. It isn't clock-in-clock-out, it's not even a job or a career. It's a vocation, a lifestyle, a path of self-reflection and self-improvement. In this podacast, we chat with Lara Jacobs, Montessori guide and parent, who wrote a beautiful post for the blog entitled, "Vocation of Job?" In this podcast, with the same title, we talk about how she discovered Montessori, and how it's impacted her life. Hint -- in many, myriad, daily ways.

It seems natural how the classroom supports academic development. But we are social creatures, how is the interpersonal development met in the Montessori classroom? Independence is fostered, children primarily work at one-person tables, isn't this lonely? How do we help children build the strong sense of community one immediately feels upon walking into a Montessori classroom? It's just as natural, once you know what to look for. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Learning happens outside of a classroom, and even before a child is ready to attend school! Learning to walk, to talk, and to feed yourself are huge achievements. Learn more about one way to support independence with eating in this podcast interview with Jamie Bauer. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Observation is important for adults in determining if and how to help a child, but it is absolutely critical for children in meeting their own developmental needs. It is one of the most crucial skills a child develops, and they do this even without any instruction from the very first days. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Observations is Key. How do we know what children need? How do we know what children are ready for? How do we know when to stand back and let learning unfold? This muscle is necessary, flexed and grown every day. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

We're often asked, what can I do at home to support the work my child is doing in the classroom. The answer is surprising -- you're probably already doing it! Spending time together, having conversations, shared experience, all are beneficial for a child, socially and academically. For some specific tips, listen here! Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Maria Montessori proposes, in The Secret of Childhood, that the ‘creative urge of life’ is, essentially, love. She has a peculiar phrase for this particular articulation: she names it an “intelligence of love”. Later, in The Absorbent Mind, Montessori posits that, “The child is a well-spring of love. Whenever we touch the child, we touch love. It is a difficult love to define; we all feel it, but no one can describe its roots or evaluate the immense consequences which flow from it, or gather up its potency…” For us, it must be said, there is a logic of life that exists beyond the logic of yes and no and that is the logic of love. We see, in your work, this logic continually being put to work. For instance: your adamant love for life, at all costs. How would you make our classrooms, classrooms of love blossoming? If nothing else, this work must be precise and rigorously determined, but how do you construct a rigorous love? How intelligent, or sentient must it be? Can the architectural surround touch the love o

Following Through might be a term we've borrowed from sports, but it's vital to supporting children in their development. It could be viewed as how we help children learn all the non-academics in the classroom. Young children are following their development, sometimes impulsively, and if something is important enough for me to stop that inner voice to change a behavior, help a child, enforce a routine, it's important enough for me to Follow Through. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

The Primary Montessori classroom is typically a three-, sometimes four-year program. When a child is ready for Kindergarten, often the question comes up-- should we stay in Montessori, or move to a different school, be it the neighborhood public school, a private school, or homeschooling. What are some aspects of that final year in a Primary Montessori classroom? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Sleep is tricky. Wouldn't it be wonderful, if every young child fell right asleep, slept through the night, didn't need multiple tucking-ins, drinks of water, one-more story/hug/look under the bed? Some families experience ease with sleep from earliest days. Some families eagerly seek help, from the internet, friends, elders, anyone with a suggestion. Sleep is something we all do, we all need, but it isn't always easy for young children. Hopefully this episode is helpful! Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Reading is more than a skill. It's an important milestone, but reading together is just as important as being able to read to yourself. Reading together can pave the way for a life of joy in reading. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Winter is here! Boots and mittens and coats and hats... there's so much to put on before we can go outside. But, as the saying goes, there's no such thing as bad weather, only wrong clothing. This podcast offers a few suggestions for getting through Winter with ease. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere