We know that part of our work as Montessori teachers is to observe children. We observe to understand their development, that we may better prepare for that development in the materials and lessons we offer in the environment. Before we introduce writing as a lesson, we need to observe the child’s physical and intellectual development for signs of alignment. That is to say, each new lesson should be aligned to the observations we’ve made of the child to whom we’re offering it

Just when your class has finally hit its pace, when the hectic scheduling of the holidays is behind you and the children have returned to school ready to focus and settle in, it's time for families to think about registration for next year and time to welcome lots of guests into the peaceful sanctuary of your classroom. Lots and lots of guests. Big ones, full-sized adults who make noise and ask questions and look uncomfortable with their knees pulled up to their chests sittin

Montessori classrooms enchant curious observers. How can so many young children engage so independently at once? How come everyone seems so peaceful? What’s so magical about the materials on the shelves? Montessori teachers are often inundated with requests from people who want to observe our classrooms. While the requests can seem like an endless distraction, creating a space within which guests can learn about Montessori and children can learn lessons in grace, courtesy and

Observing in a Montessori classroom offers an insight into the rhythm and climate of the prepared environment, but it sometimes needs a little translation. Because so much of the peacefulness and productivity of the Montessori classrooms is tied to the preparation of those classrooms (including the preparation of the adults within them,) observing them "in real time" means preparing yourself for the experience. First, expect that there will be rules for how to observe. If you

You may be getting ready to return to your classroom with a whole list of teacher resolutions in your mind. Maybe you're planning to take more time for yourself this year. Maybe you're hoping to take time to offer more advanced lessons. Maybe you're determined to take time to finish those materials you've been working on. Where to begin? Teaching is a demanding practice, and most teachers feel pulled in more directions than they can count at any given moment. There are so man

Montessorians often use the language of, "Freedom with limits," to describe the open ended choice enjoyed by children in these environments. You'll just as often hear, "Follow the child," to describe the child-directed nature of those choices. So why do so many classrooms require children to receive formal lessons with the materials before they're permitted to remove them from the shelf? The Montessori materials are carefully designed, elegant activities intended to support

We know that part of our work as Montessori teachers is to observe children. We observe to understand their development, that we may better prepare for that development in the materials and lessons we offer in the environment. Before we introduce writing as a lesson, we need to observe the child’s physical and intellectual development for signs of alignment. That is to say, each new lesson should be aligned to the observations we’ve made of the child to whom we’re offering it

Just when your class has finally hit its pace, when the hectic scheduling of the holidays is behind you and the children have returned to school ready to focus and settle in, it's time for families to think about registration for next year and time to welcome lots of guests into the peaceful sanctuary of your classroom. Lots and lots of guests. Big ones, full-sized adults who make noise and ask questions and look uncomfortable with their knees pulled up to their chests sittin

Montessori classrooms enchant curious observers. How can so many young children engage so independently at once? How come everyone seems so peaceful? What’s so magical about the materials on the shelves? Montessori teachers are often inundated with requests from people who want to observe our classrooms. While the requests can seem like an endless distraction, creating a space within which guests can learn about Montessori and children can learn lessons in grace, courtesy and

Observing in a Montessori classroom offers an insight into the rhythm and climate of the prepared environment, but it sometimes needs a little translation. Because so much of the peacefulness and productivity of the Montessori classrooms is tied to the preparation of those classrooms (including the preparation of the adults within them,) observing them "in real time" means preparing yourself for the experience. First, expect that there will be rules for how to observe. If you