Christina (2) and Will (7) absorbed in Montessori-style natural learning, 1992.
This has been a week of Montessori inspiration for parents (although it can be used for teachers as well).
On Monday, I featured the Activity of the Week – Friendship Flower Activities with a free Montessori download from North American Montessori Center’s 3-6 Montessori Homeschool Program. The download contains activities appropriate for Montessori peace education and/or the 100 Acts of Kindness Project.
Yesterday, I started an amazing giveaway with an offer from Karen Tyler, who has a wonderful online Montessori course with printable albums that has helped many parents learn how to use Montessori methods with their children. Update: The giveaway has ended, but you can find out how to get a free geography album from Karen Tyler (by subscribing to my newsletter) and learn more about KHT Montessori here: Free Montessori Geography Album.
I’m also at Natural Parents Network with a post on Montessori and Natural Parenting. The article starts:
Maria Montessori, the Italian physician who founded the Montessori Method of education in the early 1900s, was ahead of her time in promoting many principles now considered part of natural parenting. Dr. Montessori encouraged ecological responsibility, love of nature, and healthy living. I’m writing today, though, about her contributions regarding attachment parenting and natural learning.
Please join me at Natural Parents Network for my entire article on Montessori and Natural Parenting.
Hey friend! That is a great giveaway. Thanks for sharing. Popping in to say, “Hello” and Happy iFellowship! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Larri! That is an amazing giveaway, isn’t it?! … THANK YOU to Karen Tyler! Happy iFellowship Wednesday to you, too!
Boy, this pic brings back so many great memories of when my kids were in Montessori school when they were little. Such a wonderfully beneficial start in life. I couldn’t have hoped for anything better!
Thanks so much for your comment, Sheila! I’m always amazed at the wonderful effects of early Montessori experiences on my kids today (and they’re 20 and 25 now)!
I am in the process of considering what type of school to enter my son into. He is still just shy of 3 years old, but I know how much time it takes to make a real educated decision. So far, we are considering multiple models: home school, Waldorf and Montessori. I can imagine there are so many advantages to each- thanks for highlighting in your blog some of the unique benefits your family and children received from a Montessori education.
Thanks, Brynn! It’s great that you’re researching your options … home school, Waldorf, and Montessori are all wonderful singly or a mixture of the three! Good luck at finding what’s best for your family!
Nice picture. I think its really cool that kids in Montessori get to learn all that nature outdoorsy stuff, kids in regular nursey wouldn’t be allowed here in the UK for fear of the parents getting angsty about health and safety!
Thanks, Harriet! My fellow master’s students in England (who were often teachers or directors in nurseries) talked about the restrictions they had with health and safety. They were shocked to hear that I was allowed to have real tools for preschoolers when I had a Montessori school. It’s interesting that when preschoolers are taught how to handle real tools, etc., they typically aren’t unsafe.