Why Cursive: The Benefits for Early Development Montessori education prioritizes teaching cursive over print for several developmental reasons. Cursive writing encourages fluid, continuous motion, which helps children develop fine motor skills more naturally than the separate strokes required in print writing. This connection of letters also promotes smoother and faster writing, reducing frustration and supporting legibility. The Montessori method focuses on the link between physical movement and cognitive development, and cursive’s flowing nature... READ MORE

The three-year cycle in Montessori education is a foundational aspect of the method, promoting holistic development in children. Here’s a breakdown of how it achieves this: Building Community By remaining with the same teachers and classmates for three years, children develop strong relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and security. This stable environment helps them feel valued and supported, which is essential for their emotional growth. Encouraging Collaboration In a mixed-age classroom, children... READ MORE

As parents, you may already be aware of the tremendous benefits of a Montessori education — the hands-on learning, the focus on independence, and the development of a lifelong love of learning. But there’s one year in the Montessori program that holds exceptional value: the kindergarten year. Montessori classrooms are designed as a three-year cycle, and the final year, often referred to as "kindergarten" or "the third year," is crucial for your child’s development.... READ MORE

Starting Early: Why Reading to Your Child Matters Reading to children from infancy is incredibly important for their cognitive, emotional, and social development. Even at a very young age, babies begin to absorb language through the rhythm, tone, and cadence of their parents' voices. Early exposure to books helps develop essential skills like listening, vocabulary, and comprehension. As children grow, hearing stories stimulates their imagination, encourages curiosity, and fosters a love for learning.... READ MORE

Many parents first encounter Montessori in preschool, but the method extends far beyond the early years.While Montessori’s early childhood approach emphasizes independence and self-directed learning, Montessori Elementary builds on these foundations, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and social skills in children ages 6-12. What’s Different in Montessori Elementary? Multi-Age Communities: Children in grades 1-3 (Lower Elementary) and grades 4-6 (Upper Elementary) work together, allowing for social growth, peer mentorship, and individual learning paces. Child-Led... READ MORE

  Writing a thank-you note alongside your little ones teaches them to respect others and their feelings. Once they are older, they can write their own! Have them embrace the beauty of gratitude at an early age so they can grow to be responsible and caring adults. Whether it's a birthday or a holiday thank you note, start young. Time spent together is time well spent! Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q3MnDXrdxc #ItStartsAtHome... READ MORE

Did you know that self-sufficient children tend to have greater self-esteem, are better able to manage frustration, and are less dependent on others? Start the process of raising a self-sufficient child by finding tasks that they can do independently. You can give them age-appropriate household tasks, such as folding the laundry, placing their plates in the sink after dinner, or packing and unpacking their school lunches. Engaging in simple self-care tasks will put them... READ MORE

Click to play full video here. Writing a thank-you note alongside your little ones teaches them to respect others and their feelings. Once they are older, they can write their own! Have them embrace the beauty of gratitude at an early age so they can grow to be responsible and caring adults. Whether it's a birthday or a holiday thank you note, start young. Time spent together is time well spent! ... READ MORE

by Amity Hook-Sopko The theme of Grace and Courtesy is the oil that keeps a group of people functioning smoothly. It is the ambiance parents can create in the home and the teacher can create in the Montessori classroom. It is a general attitude of graciousness and respect. We can only create it when first we model it with our own actions, and then with good-natured lessons, we demonstrate the way we do things... READ MORE

by Dr. Dean Blase Montessori educators have all experienced it: walking into a well-run, humming classroom where children are focused on learning, making and reinforcing new discoveries, and demonstrating works to younger peers. Where teachers are happily engaged in the best adult work imaginable, “observing the children, judging their ripeness, and figuring out when and how to stoke a child’s interest.” (Randolph et al 2023, 2.2). These images bring us home to Montessori classrooms. ... READ MORE