Montessori Moms: Planting the Seeds of Growth

Tis the season!  I came across this article this morning  Blocks and crayons, balls and tricycles beat video games for kids' gift  and wanted to share.  When shopping for gifts this year, whether for your child, niece or nephew, or grandkids keep it "old school".  Our children live in a world of over stimulation.  Everywhere you go there is a TV (try and find a family restaurant that does not have one!), any kind of music is at our fingertips, you can watch a movie or play a game at the touch of a button.  No set up, no wait time needed.  Even games I played as a kid can be found with a electronic element. Life was my favorite.  I liked spinning the wheel.  I do not like the new version with the "credit card machine".  I have an unwritten rule in the classroom and when my kids were under 3, if it required batteries or needs to be charged it I will not or did not buy it!  Children need experiences to be successful. Advertising and social media are wonderful a

We all know it's coming especially if you live in the Northeast like I do.  Winter!  Its just around the corner and with it comes long cold days and being stuck inside!  I am a huge believer in being outside whenever possible but some years the winter weather does not always cooperate. As parents we are faced with the task of balancing our children's independent play, use of their imagination and exploration of the world vs. organizing their activities and constantly "playing" with them.  I personally aimed for an environment that allowed exploration, independence, imagination and quality 1:1, however I did have to think out of the box and organize some play options for them during our times stuck inside, or I would have gone a bit crazy! I loved to go a bit "old school" and get all the blankets and chairs and pillows and make forts.  We had tea parties, played board games, decorated large boxes as cars and went to the"drive in" while watching

As we know getting ourselves out of the house in the morning can be crazy enough, but add to that a child or two, a pet, making lunches, prepping dinner so you don't eat at 10 PM and maybe throwing in a load of laundry from the wet bed sheets the night before, brings it to an entirely new level! Creating routines for your family, especially your children can help make your morning go smoother, at least 90% of the time.  A few things to remember when creating a routine for the family: Keep it simple .  Simplicity is our school motto this year.  Don't get too detailed.  Use picture cards if your child does not read.   Get your kids involved .  Let them have some say in the routine if applicable.  Use a chart if helpful.  If they want to get dressed before breakfast be flexible. Communication is KEY .  Make sure your child knows what is expected of them and try your best to stick to it.  Once established you can be a bit more flexible if needed. Sample morning routine

Montessori Moms: Planting the Seeds of Growth: Managing Undesirable Behaviors : We have all been there.  The moment where you realize you've pushed your child a bit too far trying to get that one last errand in, or w...

As many of us have realized the demands of Kindergarten students have increased immensely in recent years.  I am a firm believer that children are underestimated in their abilities.They need to explore the world, try new things and learn to be independent I have sent three children of my own to Kindergarten and have taught too many to count over the last 22 years. I have compiled a list of eight skills that all Kindergarten students should have before September and it has almost nothing to do with academics. 1.  Children should be able to sit and listen to a story with no interruption or talking.  They should also be able to retell that story in sequential order. 2.  Children should be independent in the bathroom.   This one is so important! Teachers will not be able to assist each individual child with cleaning themselves, or buttoning pants etc. 3.  Children should know how to buckle themselves in a seat belt.   Most children are still in some kind of booster seat, if not a f

Let me start by saying I have been a parent for 18 years and so much has changed in that short time. I have also been teaching for 22 years and have witnessed many changes in the way we choose to raise our children.  With these changes also came huge advances in technology for families. We have also become a culture of convenience. So what does this all mean? As a 45 year old each advancement was and is new and exciting to me.  I love being able to DVR my favorite shows or binge watch a series on a Friday night.  I love being able to put away the cookbooks and use my Ipad to look up recipes.  The big clunky phone book has been recycled and replaced with google.  I love texting and Facetime, but I also remember the days before all this new technology gave me instant gratification.  My oldest child seems to be of the age where, although smart phones, apple music etc. were new, they quickly became part of his culture. My younger two children seem to be born into it. Limiting screen ti