Elementary Program

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Elementary Student at Montessori school in Rancho Santa Fe
The elementary children have now reached the age where they can reason.  They are able to distinguish between fact and fantasy.  The children can make use of their...
Value of Not Knowing, children in a montessori elementary school solving problems
Have you ever struggled with how to reply to your child’s curious questions when you don’t know the answer? There is great value of not knowing the answer to a question as it...
I'm sure I'm not alone in noticing that children often have the same problem over and over in different situations. (Don't we notice that pattern in ourselves, too?) As an...
Let's talk about how an aged child explores society and how it functions and "practices" how to be in society. Going outs, or small group outings beyond the classroom, are...
The elementary-aged child is driven to work with others. We see this all day in the classroom, even with solitary activities such as reading. Children will sit and work in...
Elementary Montessori Students in San Diego working on Geography with limited technology
Is it a surprise that one-third of children between the ages of seven and nine use social media applications on their cell phones or tablets? Or that one in two adolescents...
Coping With Anxiety at Montessori Elementary School in San Diego
At times, the world can beat a path to our children’s doors leading them into an anxiety-filled adult world. This steady news stream—war, crime, injustice and tragedy—is seen...
Carrying on from my last letter about geography, biology, and science in the elementary class, I would like to say a few words about the study of history, art, and music. ...
Today I am going to write about how the child's experiences in the areas of geography, biology, and general science in primary make the transition into elementary. From the...
After the thorough preparation of the child's mind, hands, and attention through the work in the practical life and sensorial areas of the primary classroom,  the teacher...
Last month I talked about how practical life in primary translates into elementary activity.  This month I want to discuss how the sensorial work the children do in the...
Montessori Elementary girl learning complex problems in an easy way
A major decision for parents is choosing an elementary school for their children. Often, it is part of a larger decision: picking up stakes and moving in search of a private...
Child focusing at Lifetime Montessori Elementary School
Are you struggling with how to help your child to focus? Your child grows every day in every way. Literally, a parent can see and feel that growth as their child’s mind, body...
Children solving Math problems with an abacus at Lifetime Montessori Elementary school
Although millions of American children attend Montessori school primary programs, an overwhelming majority are uprooted following Kindergarten and placed into traditional...
Children in Elementary Montessori Classroom exploring
Here are four core benefits that separate an independent learning, Montessori elementary school focused on how children learn with a traditional elementary school. Benefit #1...
Child working on Self-Respect
The most important component of Montessori teaching and philosophy is respect. Montessori begins by valuing each child’s contribution in a way that brings out his or her best...
Effective Learning techniques in a Montessori classroom in San Diego
In an elementary Montessori school setting, teachers pretend they don’t know the answer so their students can become active participation learners. Is that an effective...
Second Plane of Development Changes I wanted to write a bit on the changes that children experience when entering the second plane of development and how those changes alter...
Elementary Montessori Child Working on Writing Skills Independently
Recently, Montessori elementary school parents listed reasons why they decided to invest in their children’s private education this Fall. They stated: An independent...
Boy Learning math in a Montessori Classroom with Teacher guidance
Traditional Elementary or Montessori Elementary Education?   In our recent article entitled, “Part I—The Choice: Traditional Elementary or Montessori Elementary Education...
Three Montessori Elementary children learning together
It is easy to note the differences between traditional public elementary school Grades One, Two and Three and private Montessori Lower Elementary school philosophies....
Elementary children solving math problems in a Montessori classroom
Traditional Elementary School or a Montessori Elementary Education?   The journey towards understanding oneself continues via a Montessori elementary education. From the...
Elementary Montessori Student Learning How to Think In Montessori Elementary School
Montessori elementary school teachers guide students on how to think. This strategic approach is based on building mastery by exploring topics at one’s own speed, pace and...
Independent Elementary child in a Montessori classroom in San Diego
One Day a Moth, Then Transformed! The ransformation from childhood to adolescence is a positive result of witnessing the growth of your independent elementary child....
Montessori Primary Student at Lifetime Montessori school doing In-Person Learning
One way how Montessori elementary schools differ from public and faith-based schools is this: Montessori schools don’t assign grades.  Why not? In Maria Montessori’s view,...
Montessori Primary Student working on a puzzle
The Montessori Method is based on children being treated as adults who learn individually, at their own pace, and focused on interest-based topics. A core outgrowth:...
Elementary Montessori Child working on identifying small objects using Lifetime Montessori school tools
Signs to Observe When Your Child Demonstrates Exemplary Behavior That Could Place Him Into a Gifted Educational Program   All children have gifts. Some show it. Others with...
Montessori Elementary kids collaborating
A question that comes up quite often during our school tours is whether Montessori schools follow Common Core standards. Before we dive into this very popular question, let’s...
Two Elementary Montessori children solving problems
As Montessori elementary school students grow and prepare for Grades 7 & 8, the best way to transition to middle school is on parents’ minds. For example, they ask:...
Boy holding a map
Mom and Dad, traveling with kids can be more impactful with just a few Montessori travel tips. And, we can engage their minds whether we’re taking a one-day ‘staycation’ in...
Family Beach Kites
At long last, school’s out for the summer. Here’s a few Montessori Method tips on how to continue your toddler and preschooler’s education throughout the shortest months of...
Teacher listening to child
The Montessori Method Difference: Talking About and Validating a Child’s Feelings Helps Stop Bullying   Bullying. Is there any other word other than ‘bullying’ that...
The perfect parent trophy
As Parenthood Becomes Ever More Hands-On, One Teacher and Parent Calls For an End to ‘Instagram Perfect Moments’   Today’s parents are besieged from all sides. With social...
Modern Parenting Is Overwhelming, Expensive and Perhaps Self-Defeating. How We Parents Can Manage the Demands via The Montessori Method   Over the past 60 years, parenting...
Let’s Grow Independent Children One Neighborhood Block at a Time via The Montessori Method Mom and Dad: Have You Prepared to Let Your Child Go Outside Alone? It’s Called...
Child doing chores builds their self esteem at Lifetime Montessori school
Why Are Chores Important? A vital component of the Montessori Method is teaching children to become independent and self-reliant. As a result, Montessori teachers encourage...
Don’t Make Your Kids the Center of Your Universe Lawnmower and Helicopter Parents: Please, Don’t Let Your Child Rule Your Life! Mom and Dad: Help Your Children Grow by...
Tools to Help Your Kids Recognize and Respond Constructively to Jealous Feelings Jealousy is part of our nature. Young children especially are vulnerable and capable of...
How You Can Teach Girls to Build Each Other Up Rather Than Tear Each Other Apart Empowerment, Support and Encouragement of Each Other Can Win the Day Researchers are...
The Montessori Method Teaches Real Life Skills Early In Childhood   Sadly, Incoming College Students Often Overmatched by Their Emotions Social and Emotional...
How can we teach our children to treat others more socially, emotionally, and empathetically? How often do we read the news about bullying? Surely, it’s been going on forever...
Students Build a Global Vision by Learning About the Universe and Their Place in It   For 110 years, Montessori Elementary Schools have engaged students about the world via a...
Montessori Elementary Students thinking and solving problems
The strategic and tactical differences between a Montessori Elementary school and a traditional school are: Class size difference and a ‘one size fits all’ approach Few...
Curious Toddler in a Montessori classroom solving a problem
A core goal of Montessori education is building a love of lifelong learning in our children via the Montessori Method. This individualized learning system, via the 110 year-...
Photo by Jeremy McKnight on Unsplash
Earlier this year, one of the parents of our Montessori School in 4S Ranch was lost forever in a car accident, survived by her husband and preschool-aged daughter. This...
Children at Lifetime Montessori School in Santaluz are creating green spaces
Researchers published a study on how vegetation interacts with elementary student performance. Using remote sensing techniques to measure the amount of vegetation at varying...
Montessori Outdoor Education two children playing at Lifetime Montessori School
Several articles backing the Montessori Method have been published recently concerning: The Consequences of Forcing Young Kids To Sit Too Long In Class How Schools Ruined...
Children working together instead of Fidgeting
Fidgeting is a problem where kids are unable to sit still while being taught. Fidgeting students have shorter attention spans, are constantly moving and maneuvering in and...
ChiMontessori School Advantages
As parents, our most significant decisions are based on how to educate our children. A core concern during their formative years is ‘what’s right for them—and us.’ Whether...
Child with many skill sets having confidence in a San Diego Montessori school
How do we educate our elementary child today for a very different tomorrow? By building the whole child to have skill sets that create curiosity. The future workforce will...
Children independently walking to school
In Japan, It Happens Every Day. Welcome to Culture Shock…Imagine packing your elementary school student off from home near 4S Ranch with a box lunch and a mass transit pass...
Elementary Montessori Students working together to solve problems without technology
 Managing children's screen time is becoming increasingly tricky as technology options grow. At one time, TV ruled—and there were far fewer networks and media options. Today...
Helicopter Parent Will Not Help Your Child
The biggest difference between our Montessori school and a traditional elementary school is this: we focus on teaching your child with a ‘learn at your own speed’ approach...
Child using freedom and responsibility juicing an orange independently at Lifetime Montessori School
Dr. Montessori tells us that freedom is essential to a child's development. It makes it possible for a child to realize him or herself.   Freedom does not mean a license....
Montessori Elementary girls feeling happy
How we parents can encourage our little girls’ development through reading.   How can we help young girls break the mold and fearlessly be themselves? What specifics...
Child independently working in a Montessori Classroom in San Diego
There are many ways that Montessori elementary education differs from traditional Education.  Montessori education is individualized, self-paced, and interdisciplinary.  The...
Some parents have asked me in the past if any form of practical life exercises exist in Montessori elementary.  They don't see the prepared and color-coordinated exercises...
Child independently working outside at Lifetime Montessori school in San Diego
These astonishing, inspiring, infuriating, delightful, intellectual, affectionate, willful, imaginative, perplexing, energetic, shape-shifting, social, inconsistent, big-...
The Montessori Elementary program offers an unparalleled opportunity for the ongoing development of your child nurtured in the Primary program. He is entering a new period in...