Elementary Level
Parents, Take Charge! August 7, 2022
“Jerry, it’s time to get out of the pool. Time to go now, please.” A father stands at the edge of a hotel pool in summer, clearly exhausted, as his wife walks past him carrying a crying baby girl, a floaty, a diaper bag, and two huge towels. “NO!” The boy in the pool, who…
Read MoreLet’s Play! Montessori’s Playful Nature
As a parent, you may hear Montessori teachers describe your children’s activities as “work.” Your child may use the word, too, saying, “I love my work,” or, “I did a lot of work today!” But then you may wonder, “Why does my child go skipping in there every day?” and, “Why is my child dying…
Read MoreAn Education that Matches Children’s Development
September 2018 by Paula Lillard Preschlack Developmentally, children pass through distinct phases as they age, which are universal across time and place. These phases, or planes, are the basis for Maria Montessori’s approach to education, which caters to the specific needs and characteristics of each plane.
Read MoreNatural or Man-Made: What do Children Need First?
November 2018 by Paula Lillard Preschlack Which environments—natural or man-made—do our children need to be exposed to for understanding the world they are growing up in? Maria Montessori recognized the need to begin with exploration of and curiosity about the natural world, as we launch into humanity’s great inventions.
Read MoreMontessori and the Power of Mental Association
Associative thinking is a key to innovation and problem-solving. At every age, Montessori cultivates the ability to make mental associations.
Read MoreMusic in the Montessori Classroom
February 2021 by Paula Lillard Preschlack and John Dickson Music education is woven into the Montessori classroom for all children and at all developmental stages, contributing to a joyful and enriching learning environment.
Read MoreHow Do Montessori Teachers Present Those Magical Materials?
October 2019 by Paula Lillard Preschlack Paula describes how a Primary teacher presents materials to a child under age six, how an Elementary teacher gives presentations to children over age six, and how they differ. She explains the role of the teacher and that of the Montessori materials. The magic is in the way that…
Read MoreWhat’s So Great About “The Great Lessons”?
September 2020 by Paula Lillard Preschlack Maria Montessori’s Great lessons provide the framework for children’s understanding of the world, the drama to fuel their imaginations, and the impetus to explore with their relentless curiosity.
Read MoreReturning to School with Resilience, Creativity, and Courage!
Talking to Children About Money
August 2019 by Paula Lillard Preschlack Talking about money can be uncomfortable for some families. Maria Montessori believed that this topic should be studied like all others. Here, Paula offers suggestions for talking to children of all ages about money.
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