Tag: Montessori at Home

Tag: Montessori at Home

Navigate Child’s Natural Urges in a Safe and Well-Prepared Environment

Children are born with natural urges that guide them as they gain control of their muscles and senses with little effort. Especially in the first three years of life, they are unconscious learners and tirelessly work toward independence. Given a safe and well-prepared environment, an infant will begin working to hold her head up, roll

The Prepared Nest in the Spotlight

When Baan Dek Montessori school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota invited me to participate in their Spotlight Series (link highlighted below), I didn’t know quite what to expect. Our initial calls were a pleasure and I was able to learn more about their amazing Montessori school and staff during our conversations. Today, Baan Dek continues

A Love for Good Foods and Food Preferences Begins Before Birth!

There are countless articles about picky eaters, food battles and how to get children to eat healthy foods. Many parents resort to sneaking vegetables into cakes and bribing children with toys and trips to the park. Tears and tantrums can be sparked over a single green bean placed on a primarily white food plate. It

Rewarding Time and Cherished Moments with Your Grandchild

I’m sure Lesley Stahl’s peers are as she describes in The New York Times Opinion page today: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/13/opinion/sunday/grandbabies-the-great-reward-for-aging.html?ref=opinion. Most have plenty of money, time and interest in their grandkids. However, there’s a much larger percentage of grandparents that also love their grandchildren and are willing to help out as they can, but they do not

Wise Home Design Details and Montessori Principles: A Beautiful Fit

Design Wise by Vern Yip is a Great “Go-to” Guide for Any Home Environment When it was announced that interior designer Vern Yip would be a guest speaker at a local Charleston museum fundraiser, I reserved a seat. My calendar was marked and I ordered a copy of his newest design book, Vern Yip’s Design Wise.

When Transitions Trigger a Tantrum, Offer a Respectful Choice

“Respect all reasonable forms of activity in which the child engages and try to understand them.” — Maria Montessori Imagine that it’s a beautiful Saturday. Your son had spent the afternoon playing happily at his friend’s house and you’ve just arrived to take him home. From the look on your son’s face, you know he

The Child’s First and Greatest Teacher: The Hand

“He does it with his hands, by experience, first in play and then through work. The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence. “ — Maria Montessori As parents, milestone expectations are common concerns as children grow and develop. Within a relatively short time, helpless newborns gain control of their bodies and movements. Before long,

Follow the Child, First by Watching for Clues …

“Follow the child, but follow the child as his leader.” —Maria Montessori As an adult who is parenting, grand-parenting or caregiving, it can be confusing to hear the recommendation, “Follow the child …” We’ve been led to believe we must be “the responsible adult in charge” of the child throughout their days. But that mindset

Happy 1st Birthday? The Pressure Is on!!

It’s been almost a year since you gave birth to your precious little one. Meanwhile, the stressful job of planning the perfect birthday celebration is dominating your daily thoughts. You’ve joined the ranks of late night Pinterest parents. You too are now pinning frantically to come up with the BEST birthday party board ideas EVER.

An Imagination Can Be Launched in a Laundry Basket!

“Imagination does not become great until human beings, given the courage and strength, use it to create.” — Maria Montessori My daughter reminded me the other day that she would spend hours playing in a laundry basket, pretending she was in a boat with her “blankie” as the sail. Thinking back, the laundry basket was