Blog

Reading with your child is one of the most impactful practices you can do in the early years. Book reading is beneficial for children of all ages, starting from birth. Listening to stories helps children grow their emergent literacy skills even long before they can speak. Research shows that reading aloud to children, ideally daily, supports a love of literacy, advanced language development, and future ability to read independently. Additionally, taking the time to read storybooks aloud together also enhances the parent-child bond and supports a variety of cognitive and social-emotional skills, including critical thinking and emotional resilience. A few reasons for this host of benefits from reading together is that children learn best when their knowledge is scaffolded by an adult. Scaffolding is when an adult adapts their behavior and the way they give instructions based on the knowledge level of the child. Scaffolding is achieved by first recognizing what your child knows, and then providing incremental challenges to help support their learning. One research-based technique for scaffolding your child’s learning while reading is known as dialogic reading . Dialogic reading is where an adult and child have a meaningful conversation about a book before, during, and after the book. This goes beyond the typical experience of an adult reading while a child simply listens. Through dialogic reading, children are actively involved in learning how to become the storyteller. The goal of dialogic reading is to have the child increasingly lead the reading experience. The basic structure of dialogic reading is the acronym PEER : P rompt the child to talk about the book. Parent, pointing to a picture of a dump truck: “Ooh, what is that?” Child: “A truck!” E valuate the child’s response Parent: “Yes, a dump truck!” E xpand upon their response by adding information Parent: “The dump truck is yellow.” R epeat the prompt or word to see what they learned from the new information. Parent: pointing to the dump truck again “Can you say dump truck?” Child: “A dump truck!” There are five types of p rompts to try out, which you can remember with the acronym CROWD : C ompletion , fill in the blank type questions “This is a _______ truck” R ecall , asking your child to remember or summarize something from the story “Can you tell me what happened to the dump truck in this story?” O pen-Ended , focused on the images in the book “Can you describe what’s going on in this picture?” W h- , asking specific what, where, when, why, and how questions “What is that called?” D istancing , asking your child to connect elements of the story or pictures to their real-life experiences “This book was about a dump truck! Do you remember when a dump truck came to our house? Did it look like any of the trucks in this book?” To practice dialogic reading, try reading a new book to your child. Read it once through, while pointing to interesting images and encouraging your child to repeat new words. The next time you read the book, you can scaffold their knowledge by practicing the PEER method. Ask increasingly complex questions about the book. As you read the same book multiple times, you will start to read the words on the pages less as your child engages in conversation around the story more and more. It’s an incredible thing to witness! A few more ideas for making reading aloud a central and enjoyable practice for the whole family are : Create family routines around reading aloud to ensure it is part of your child’s day. Many families choose to incorporate books into the bedtime routine Read both fiction and nonfiction books, including different genres, with rich illustrations Choose books connected to your child’s cultural background and ethnicity Follow your child’s interests and explore topics that they enjoy through literature Pay attention to your child’s behavior while reading and adjust as necessary Utilize your local library to access countless options for both board and picture books

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen media exposure (except for video chat, which is appropriate for children of all ages) before age 18 months and setting screen time limits of one hour per day or less for older toddlers and preschoolers. However, recent research shows that young children are spending an average of 2.5 hours DAILY on screens. If you find this number alarming, you’re not alone! Digital technologies such as televisions, tablets, and smartphones have become central to modern society. Screens can be a valuable tool for parents to use with and for their children. However, face-to-face human interaction will always be the primary and preferred way for young children to learn. A child ages 0-6 is in the absorbent mind stage of development, soaking in everything in the environment easily and completely. This means the good and the bad are taken in equally. It also means the child cannot absorb what is not there, so as adults it's our responsibility to provide an environment rich in concrete experiences, language(s), art, culture, discovery, exploration, and most importantly, emotional connection and a sense of love and security. Technology is useful, but not essential, for young children. Whether or not your family chooses to engage with technology in the home is a personal decision. Evaluating your unique family situation and values is important to determine whether and how technology fits in. There is a distinct difference between intentional, mindful media use that contributes to a child’s knowledge and development and habitual media use without a clear benefit to the child. It’s necessary to carefully consider the impact of our technological choices on growing young minds. In the same way that Montessori materials are introduced to children with a set of lessons, safety precautions, and guidelines, home media use for young children requires a knowledgeable guide. Parents play an essential role in shaping children’s media literacy and guiding them to learn healthy boundaries around using technology as a tool. While technology is rarely included in the Montessori classroom, applying Montessori principles to screen time provides a framework for home media use with young children. Here are a few of our favorite Montessori-based approaches to setting healthy boundaries around technology and choosing media that contributes to children's well-being. Freedom Within Limits Set firm boundaries around technology, including what type of devices children can use, how long they can spend on the device, and what type of content they can access. Hold these boundaries in a firm, loving way, and do not change your limits in response to tantrums. Create technology-free times and spaces in your home. Choosing areas such as bedrooms and eating areas to be tech-free encourages healthy boundaries around technology. Prioritizing tech-free meals where the family sits down together to eat and engage in conversation is invaluable for healthy child development. Fit screen time into the gaps of your child’s day rather than making it a central focus. Ensure that your child’s schedule prioritizes the things that matter most for child development, including interaction, play, sleep, meal time, exercise, and reading. Follow the Child Think about the Three Cs when it comes to tech use in childhood: Child - Your child is the “ who ” of the media situation. What are your child’s individual characteristics? Each child experiences media differently depending on their age, developmental level, cognitive skills, past media experiences, preferences, and interests. Choose media that is aligned with your child’s level and interests. Content - The content your child is watching is the “ what ” of their media experience. It is essential to pay close attention to the themes, behaviors, messaging, and design of the media your child is interacting with. Opt for shows with a slower pace of motion, relatable situations, and kind language. Children copy what they see, so it’s important to ensure that the content modeled on the screen is positive and appropriate. Context - Think of context as the “ where, when, how ” of the media situation. What type of device is your child using? Where are they? What time of day is it? Who else is present with your child? As often as possible, engage with your child around their tech use. Screen time is not a babysitter, but it can be used as a tool for education and connection. Try joining your child for their media use and talking about what you see on the screen to help your child connect the screen to real life. Practical Life Seek out age-appropriate and relevant educational media content that contributes to your child’s growth and development. Look for themes and lessons that they find interesting to help support and advance their learning. Behavior Modeling Integrating technology into children’s lives should always be secondary to face-to-face human interactions. Research suggests that parent phone use around children can cause impactful interruptions in parent-child relationships. This happens through a concept coined technoference , when technology causes interference in interpersonal interactions. Consider how often you pick up and look at your phone throughout the day, and be mindful of the ways your children see you interacting with technology. Set screen time limits on all devices. People use screens far more often than they think they do. Set realistic screen time limits on your devices to reduce daily usage. Montessori education is a preparation for life. As caregivers, it's important to consider what kind of life we hope to create for our children. Media use is not essential to childhood, but if you do choose to use media at home we hope that these tips serve as a helpful guide for making the most of your child's screen time experiences. References: Guernsey, L. (2007). Into the minds of babes: How screen time affects children from birth to age five . Basic Books. McDaniel, B. T., & Radesky, J. S. (2018). Technoference: Parent distraction with technology and associations with child behavior problems. Child development , 89(1), 100-109. Ohme, J., Araujo, T., de Vreese, C. H., & Piotrowski, J. T. (2021). Mobile data donations: Assessing self-report accuracy and sample biases with the iOS Screen Time function. Mobile Media & Communication, 9(2), 293-313. Rideout, V., & Robb, M. B. (2020). The Common Sense census: Media use by kids age zero to eight. San  Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media .

Traditions connect the past, present, and future in a tangible way.

When it comes to toddlers and preschoolers, you often hear about the “terrible two” and “threenager” phases. How can you handle these the Montessori way?

When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength -Dr. Maria Montessori

What is the prepared environment in Montessori?

What, exactly, is the role of the Montessori teacher? How is it so different from that of any other teacher? Sometimes it’s easiest to begin by explaining what a Montessori teacher isn’t. A Montessori teacher is less like the traditional idea of an instructor, and more like a gentle guide. They don’t consider it their job to give a child information. They rather lead children in the general direction and give them the tools they need to find the information themselves. Maria Montessori once said, “The greatest sign of success for a teacher...is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’” Montessori Teachers Cultivate Independence In a Montessori classroom, rather than seeing a teacher at the front of the classroom giving the same lesson to every child, the teacher will be working quietly with individual children or small groups. While that is happening the rest of the children are free to spend their time doing the work that calls to them. A Montessori teacher works hard to create structures that allow children to be independent and to trust themselves as learners. One large part of what a Montessori teacher does is to intentionally prepare a classroom environment that is developmentally appropriate, is inviting to children, and supports them on their journey to work independently. This environment is constantly changing in tiny ways as the teacher notices new and evolving needs of the students. Montessori Teachers are Trained to Think Like Scientists Parents should know that Montessori teachers are highly trained. Most have recognized Montessori credentials in addition to their college degrees. Montessori certification programs are intensive and demanding; one might compare them as being the equivalent of another college degree. These training programs don’t just teach Montessori educators how to use the specialized materials; there is extensive coursework about Montessori philosophy, child development, and integrating the arts. When it comes to assessments, Montessori teachers don’t rely on standardized tests; they rely on the power of observation. They have notebooks brimming with evidence of what their students have mastered, need more support with, and are curious about. They are constantly recording what they notice children working on, how that work is being executed, and ideas they might have in anticipation of a child’s next steps. Montessori teachers literally sit beside a child and determine exactly what they know about a wide range of content areas. Montessori Teachers Think Long-Term Because of Montessori’s three-year cycles, teachers have the unique ability to consider their big picture when working with students. There is a natural tendency to allow the children to genuinely learn at their own pace. Getting to know a child and their family well over the course of a few years really supports this approach. Montessori Teachers are Often Called ‘Guides’ ...and for good reason. While children in Montessori classrooms have an abundance of choice in their educational pursuits, Montessori is based on the idea of ‘freedom within limits’. It’s the Montessori teacher’s job to carefully craft those limits. Children rely on having a certain amount of structure in place. This gives them comfort and a safe place in which they can take risks and try new things. Montessori teachers set some boundaries and then carefully help students navigate within them. What if your second grader loves to read but tends to avoid math? Their Montessori teacher will find ways to ensure the math still gets done. Sometimes this involves a gentle discussion with a child about time management skills, priorities, or setting goals. Sometimes the teacher will find a way to integrate the child’s interests into the less desirable work. Sometimes all it takes is a minor change in the environment. Montessori teachers gives children freedom, but they assist children in finding their way to success in this environment. Montessori teachers value independence, self-reliance, and intrinsic motivation. They also value cooperation, kindness, and strength in community. Still curious? Call us to set up an appointment today to observe in a classroom. See what Montessori is really all about.

One hallmark of a Montessori education is the use of multi-age classrooms. Infants and toddlers may be together or separate, with a toddler classroom serving children 18 months to three years. Primary classrooms are for children ages 3-6, with preschool and kindergarten-aged children together. The elementary years serve children ages 6-12; some schools separate into lower (6-9) and upper (9-12) elementary, while many split elementary into two groups. Even Montessori middle- and high-school students learn in multi-age classrooms. While Montessori is not the only type of education that utilizes this approach, it’s not what most people are used to. What are the benefits of structuring a classroom this way? Read on to learn more... Learning at an Individual Pace Children in multi-age classrooms tend to have a little more flexibility when it comes to mastering skills within a specific timeframe. We know that learning is not linear, and that learners have periods of significant growth, plateaus, and even the occasional regression. In multi-age classrooms, children are typically able to work at their own pace without the added pressure of keeping up with the whole group, or even being held back by the whole group. When children in a classroom range in ages, everyone has someone they can work with, regardless of their skill level. Children don’t feel left behind if they struggle with a concept, and they also don’t feel bored by repetition of something they have already mastered. Teachers who teach in multi-age classrooms typically have deep knowledge for a range of developmental abilities, leaving them well-equipped to differentiate instruction for each individual child. Building Stronger Relationships Traditionally children move from one class to the next each year. This means not only a new set of academic expectations, different routines, and different classroom structures, but a different teacher. In multi-age classrooms teachers have a longer period of time to get to know a student and their family, and vice versa. When teachers really get to know a student, they are able to tailor instruction in regards to both content and delivery. They know how to hook a specific child onto a topic or into a lesson. They know what kind of environment a child needs to feel successful. Parents have an opportunity to get to know teachers better this way, too. If your child has the same teacher for two or three years, the lines of communication are strengthened. Parents get to know the teacher’s style and expectations. The home to school connection becomes more seamless, and the biggest beneficiary is the child. Mentors and Leaders When a child spends multiple years in the same class they are afforded two very special opportunities. Children who are new to the class are fortunate enough to be surrounded by helpful peer mentors. Children often learn best from one another, and they seek to do so naturally. First and second year students watch as the older children enjoy advanced, challenging work, and this inspires them. They look to the older children for guidance, and the older children are happy to provide it. After a year or two in the same room, students have a chance to practice leadership skills. In Montessori classrooms, the older children are often seen giving lessons, helping to clean up spills, or reaching out a comforting hand to their younger friends. The best part is kids make the transition from observer to leader in their own time. It doesn’t happen for all children at the same time, but when it does it’s pretty magical to observe. Mirroring Real-Life There is no other area in life in which people are split into groups with others who are exactly their chronological age. Whether in the family, the workforce or elsewhere, people ultimately need to coexist with people older and younger than themselves. Doing so makes for a more enriching environment, replete with a variety of ideas and skills. Why not start the experience with young children in school? Moving On While staying in the same class for multiple school years has many benefits, a child will eventually transition into a new class. While this can feel bittersweet (for everyone involved!) children are typically ready when it is time. The Montessori approach is always considering what is most supportive of children depending on their development. When formulating how to divide children into groupings, Maria Montessori relied on her ideas about the Planes of Development. There are very distinctive growth milestones children tend to reach at about age 3, another set around age 6, and yet another at age 12. The groupings in our schools are intentional, and they give kids a chance to feel comfortable in their community, while also preparing them to soar forward when the time is right.