Growing up, I was labeled dumb. And it stuck with me—longer than I care to admit. I never imagined I’d be here. A Montessori teacher. A...

You’ll often hear the term “normalization " in a Montessori classroom. Montessori teachers describe it as when the classroom achieves a sense of calm and students become acclimated to their environment. This state is marked by children engaging in meaningful work with concentration, independence, and joy. However, the concept of "normalization" can be problematic. While Dr. Maria Montessori originally used it to describe a child’s natural developmental process in a prepared e

We all have heard the story "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie," right? Where the little boy is negotiating with a mouse. I have to admit, it's an adorable story, and it serves as a humorous reminder of how easily negotiations can spiral out of control—especially when it comes to our little ones. "Okay, if you stop crying, I will give you an ice cream cone!" How about this one, "If you do that again, I'll..." The child does it again, and then we go, "Okay, this time I am serious.

Welcome to the whimsical world of Montessori education, where children don’t just learn—they embark on a three-year journey. If you’ve ever watched Indiana Jones dodge traps, decipher ancient scripts, and narrowly escape from a boulder the size of a minivan, you might wonder: “How does this relate to my little one in Montessori?” Spoiler alert: it’s all about adventure! Grab your fedora and whip (or just your coffee) because we’re about to dive into how children are the mini-

Freedom Within Limits: What does it mean? "Let us leave life free to develop within the limits of the good, and let us observe this inner life developing. This is the whole of our mission” . - Maria Montessori Freedom isn't the "Freedom Within Limits" concept unless the child has learned self-control. The trick isn't to set unrealistic expectations; the trick is finding the right balance between freedom and limits, or what they can and can not do. The "Freedom Within Limits"

Navigating the Montessori Drop-Off: Smooth landing! Over the years, I have helped countless first day drop offs. I can say with confidence that every drop off has always gone smoothly. Starting at a new Montessori school can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience for both children and parents. Tears are completely normal the first few times you drop off, it's a healthy reaction. Sometimes it can even last a week or two, it's normal and developmentally okay at this age!

The Power of Spontaneous Repetition in Montessori Education In Montessori education, one principle has always stood out to me the most: spontaneous repetition. This concept is deeply embedded and understood in Maria Montessori’s education. This has always been crucial in how children learn and internalize new concepts. Let's explore how spontaneous repetition works, why it's so effective, and how it fits into the broader framework of Montessori education. My son Adonis has be

"I Can't Do It!" Montessori is a philosophy of life, a way of living and of being with others, but specifically with our children. The saddest part of my day is when I hear a child say, “I can’t do it!” I hate that phrase, especially from a 3-6 year old. Maria Montessori once heard a child say, “Help Me, Help Myself." This message is so powerful that it became the heart of my approach when it comes to children. As adults we want our kids to be independent, yet we still do eve

Discover 5 core principles of the Montessori Method and how it promotes independence and a love for learning through child-centered methods.