Maria Montessori's most prominent work is her book entitled The Absorbent Mind. Throughout all her work she cites this phenomenon in children. It is the reason behind so much of what is incorporated in the Montessori classroom. The absorbent mind is best explained by the child's ability to acquire its native language.

"If a child's cycle of activity is interrupted, the results are a deviation of behavior, aimlessness, and loss of interest...So whatever intelligent activity we witness in a child - even if it seems absurd to us...we must not interfere; for the child must be able to finish the cycle of activity on which his heart is set."

Pampering is doing a task for your child when they are capable of doing it for themselves and without assistance. Since children possess an innate desire to do things for themselves, pampering children does more harm than good in the long run by creating weakness or reliance on others. Children develop the belief that others should do everything for them.

The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step

For generations, Montessori teachers have practiced methods designed to inspire your child on his or her journey to adulthood. By setting goals together and building positive thinking, our accredited teachers have provided a social, emotional and academic framework that has enhanced each child’s overall maturity. 

But tell me! Specifically, HOW can I help my kids towards reaching social, emotional and academic maturity? How do I create, foster and sustain the BEST of what they are and can be?

I was reflecting with another teacher about some of the struggles I've been having on the playground (gunplay, monsters, etc.).  Although it's easy to be reactive and point fingers at what causes such behavior, I think getting to the root of the issue is a little more complicated.  Fantasy play is often mistaken for violent play - fighting off bad guys and "shooting" space aliens is no different than tucking in baby dolls or talking to stuffed animals.  Fantasy play is not usually an indicator that a child is

What a Child Absorbs

Does your child start their day with a healthy breakfast?

Some of you have been asking more about how to bring Montessori into your homes. So, I'll be extending a little further:

Choosing the best school to fit your child’s needs and strengths—whether it’s traditional, parochial, private or homeschooling—can often be decided only after internally answering dozens of questions in both qualitative and quantitative areas. To help narrow your decision-making process to select a school for your child, here are some options to explore.

Your Child’s Needs and Strengths

Perhaps the best outgrowth of watching a Montessori elementary school in action is seeing how peer-age learning helps younger and older students grow while preventing bullying.   

Montessori elementary school teachers engage and embrace two-way student partnerships by pairing children of various ages. That means kids are not all the same calendar year age nor possess the same knowledge level.