Articles tagged with "elementary"
Lesson of the Day 65: Grammar Boxes -- Exploring Parts of Speech Through Sentences
May 7, 2026
What Are Grammar Boxes? The Montessori Grammar Boxes are one of the most elegant language materials in the classroom. Each box contains a set of cards with words and phrases that children arrange into sentences, discovering how different parts of speech work together to create meaning. There are eight boxes …
Lesson of the Day 64: The Bead Frame -- Bridging to Abstract Math
May 5, 2026
Materials Needed Montessori Bead Frame (small bead frame with 4 wires) Bead frame paper (formatted for recording operations) Pencil What Is the Bead Frame? The Montessori Bead Frame is a specialized abacus used in the primary and lower elementary classroom to help children understand place value and perform the four …
Lesson of the Day 38: From Concrete to Abstract — How Montessori Math Works
April 12, 2026
From Concrete to Abstract — How Montessori Math Works ...m, m, m the math sound, M makes a manipulative sound! One of the most common questions parents ask is: "How does my child go from counting beads to doing math in their head?" This lesson explains the beautiful Montessori progression …
Lesson of the Day 36: The Five Great Lessons — Montessori Cosmic Education
April 11, 2026
The Five Great Lessons — Montessori Cosmic Education ...u, u, u the universe sound, U makes a universe sound! Cosmic Education is one of the most beautiful and ambitious ideas in Montessori elementary education. Maria Montessori believed that the elementary years (ages 6-12) are a sensitive period for absorbing vast …
Montessori Fantasy and Reality
March 23, 2026
Montessori education has always sparked debate — and perhaps no topic generates more discussion than the role of fantasy and play. I've been reading an article by Dr. Mario M. Montessori, Fantasy and Reality in Children's Games, and I'd like to share some excerpts that clarify this important topic. Recommended …
What Is Your Child's Talent?
March 16, 2026
We all are born with unique talents. Talents can be apparent or hidden, and they can change over time. Here is a fun, non-scientific quiz to help you discover your child's natural learning talent. This quiz is designed for young children. If your child is older, think back to how …
Praise in the Montessori Classroom
June 11, 2012
Praise in the Montessori Classroom How we respond to a child’s work matters deeply. In the Montessori approach, we encourage children by acknowledging their effort and process rather than offering empty praise. Descriptive vs. Evaluative Praise Instead of saying “Good job!” try describing what you see: “You carried that tray …
Students Who Resist Learning
June 9, 2012
Students Who Resist Learning Every teacher encounters children who seem uninterested, defiant, or resistant to lessons. In the Montessori approach, we see resistance not as a behavior problem but as important communication from the child. Dr. Maria Montessori observed that when children refuse to work, it is almost always the …
Play Groups
May 23, 2010
Montessori Play Groups: Building Community and Learning Together One of the most rewarding ways to enrich your child’s Montessori journey at home is by starting a Montessori play group. Whether you’re a homeschooling family seeking socialization or simply looking for meaningful, screen-free activities to share with friends, a well-organized play …
Montessori and Religion
August 13, 2009
A large part of Montessorii's philosophy includes the goodness of a child's soul. Montessori was a devout and practicing Catholic and her beliefs are evident in her approach to educating children. Basically, Montessori believed in the innate ability of a child to love and respect life deeply. Here are some …
7 Mistakes Parents Make
August 1, 2007
Worrying About Your Child Too MuchMany parents worry about their children --Whether they are developing normally, how they perform, if they cry too much, are they going to be able to survive in school and life. Children are hardier than we think, of course, this doesn't mean that we shouldn't …
Every Other Day School
June 30, 2007
Every generation and culture has unique school experiences. Here is one from the past that might be interesting. When my mother started school in Norway 80 years ago, she went to school only every other day through 7th grade. She attended a small rural school. There were only 12 or …
How to Prepare Your Classroom
June 30, 2007
How to Prepare Your Classroom The Montessori environment is a combination of the classroom, teacher, outdoor classroom and garden, and all other facilities. It should be welcoming, attractive, and orderly — set up for thinking and learning activity. Montessori understood that a child's environment develops a child's brain. It is …
My child cries every day before going to school. What can I do?
June 30, 2007
Understanding School Separation AnxietyDear parent, if your child cries every morning before school, please know that you are not alone — and that this is one of the most common concerns I hear from families. It can be heartbreaking to walk away from a tearful child, but with a Montessori-inspired …
Why does my child bite other children?
June 30, 2007
Why does my child bite other children? I know that this can be really embarrassing for parents. Many times the child who bites is the victim and not the aggressor. A child who is being overpowered by other children physically often times bites in self-defense. Also, when language is delayed …
Montessori for Special Needs
June 30, 2007
Montessori and Special Needs: A Method Born from Inclusion Many parents discover Montessori education and feel an immediate resonance with its gentle, child-centered approach. But what some may not realize is that the very foundation of the Montessori method was built on work with children who had been dismissed by …
How to Pick out a Preschool
June 30, 2007
When looking for a preschool or daycare, there are eleven questions that every parent must ask themselves about each school. Print out this list, and look it over before and after you visit each school. Is the classroom child oriented? When you first see a classroom sometimes you are impressed …
How to reduce stress in your family
June 30, 2007
In the Montessori philosophy, a peaceful, well-ordered environment is essential for the whole family to thrive — not just the children. Maria Montessori taught us that order, simplicity, and purposeful activity create calm and security. When financial stress enters the home, it disrupts that carefully prepared environment and affects everyone. …
What is your Child's Learning Talent?
June 30, 2007
What is Your Child’s Learning Talent? One of the most beautiful principles at the heart of Montessori philosophy is following the child. Every child arrives with a unique constellation of gifts, curiosities, and natural inclinations. Our role isn’t to mold them into a predetermined shape — it’s to observe, listen, …
Sensitive Periods for Learning
June 30, 2007
The Absorbent Mind Maria Montessori believed that every human being went through a quantum leap in learning during the preschool years. She felt this was especially true from birth to the first few years of life. The years when a child learns language is surely a profound and mysterious process …
My Child is out of Control, what can I do?
June 30, 2007
Sometimes parents ask, “Why does my child hit and push other children?” In fact often, my child won’t share or even take turns. They wonder if their child might even be a bully. If you’re feeling this way, please know that you are not alone — and the fact that …