We are creating a documentary film project called “Building the Pink Tower” which will reimagine schools and learning through the lens of Montessori education.
What a blessing!
Tonight I had the incredible opportunity to read (shhh…it is not officially launched) the latest book from Trevor Eissler. Yep, the super cool dad who had enough guts to put it all down in his previous book, “Montessori Madness: A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education”. Tonight I could not help but feel a bit guilty as my two young Montessori children were asleep in their bed as I had a cup of tea and an inspiring read on my Ipad.
At a first glance the beautiful, scenic pictures got my attention of a boy sitting under the moon. It was apparent that young Zachary was an intrinsic thinker.
The latest book, “4,962,571” (June Books) indirectly offers the unsuspected parent an observation of a boy who does not want a reward, but instead the opportunity to count to a number in his heart. Young Zachary was given the opportunity by his parents to move throughout his community. With a messenger bag across his body, he explores with his dog. He touches and experiences life in order to achieve the intrinsic reward for himself. I was inspired by how self-directed Zachary is while continuously asking questions.
He displays self-esteem, confidence and concentration.
As an administrator of a Montessori program I believe the book, “4,962,571“will serve a purpose for the prospective parent touring my school. I believe it will increase enrollment by offering a kind suggestion to take action and go out and observe a Montessori classroom in your community.
Why? Simply put, Mr. Eissler has written a childrens book that shows a young man who is not looking for praise or reward, but instead his goal is to reach a number! As a Montessorian I know that this was through the act of asking questions, movement (touch and experience!) and he just wanted to do what my students call, “hard work!”
I leave you with this thought, “How high can you count?”
Shelley Bevilacqua is a single mom of two inspiring Montessori students: Giuseppe (age 5) and Giuliana (age 4).
She resides in Delray Beach, Florida where she adores her 21 students in her Blended 3-6 classroom.
Shelley holds an AMS (3-6) Montessori Certification, a Director Credential for the school and is also a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Her newest venture is www.athomemontessori.com
Posted in Updates Tagged boy, concentration, confidence, home, life, montessori, opportunity, order Comments closed
Discovery Days and Montessori Moments
Today we are so excited to present you with our very first guest blogger!!!!! Ms. Shelly is here today to give an overview of how the Montessori Method is used in the home! Maria Montessori developed a beautiful method of education that follows the child as they learn according to the inner need. She discovered, through careful observation, that the child is capable of great discipline and great learning at a very young age due to what she calls the absorbent mind. Children learn differently them we do as adults, and can easily absorb large amounts of information when it is presented in a concrete hands on way!!! I personally love this method to education and it is the method of education that I am using with my children in my home! It is an amazing thing to watch young children learning with great joy in their discoveries, and this is exactly what the Montessori Method is all about!!!! So, without further ado, we welcome Ms. Shelly!!!
To teach Montessori at home, you’ll need to find a place within the house to have “school”—a place where the child cannot become distracted by television, pets, or non-Montessori playthings. This is where the child will do language, mathematics, and some sensorial activities, but the entire home will become a classroom for some exercises. If you’re going to teach Montessori at home, be sure not to isolate the child—take him or her on outings and play dates so that he or she can develop the necessary social skills and niceties.
Remember to use as few words as possible when presenting lessons to your child, you want them to focus on your actions, not on your words. Also remember that you are the observer in the Montessori Method, not the teacher—the child will guide you in his or her learning by the activities he or she chooses to engage in. The child may use any lesson for as long as he or she likes, but may only have one lesson at a time.
Teaching Montessori at home requires patience! It will take a while for your child to develop the concentration and order necessary to focus on one lesson at a time, as well as for them to understand that only one lesson at a time is appropriate. Having lessons at the same time each day and establishing a routine will help your child become accustomed to the Montessori Method, and if he or she is having a difficult day or is feeling sick, they may take a day off from “school” and then continue the next day.
Eventually your child will grow used to the “freedom within limits” that he or she has, and will be eager to do her Montessori “work.” If you do need to discipline your child, use “logical consequences” instead of harsh words or time-out punishments. For instance, if the child doesn’t put his or her socks in the laundry and the next day has no socks, then it is a “logical consequence” that no socks are left; they will make the connection and put their socks in the laundry the next time.
Make sure that everything in your prepared environment in the home is low and easily reachable by the child. This includes hooks, cupboards in the kitchen for practical life exercises, and all your Montessori materials can be kept on a bookshelf, preferably a low three-shelf bookshelf…
Thank you so very much Ms. Shelly for visiting us today and for your wonderful post!!!!!
Ms. Shelly is a Mommy of two and an AMS certified pre-primary teacher! She blogs over at At Home Montessori and has a lot of great ideas and videos about how to use the Montessori method at home! She also has an ebook that looks wonderful! Please stop by and check out her work!
If you want more information about Montessori and using it at home, John Bowman has a wonderful book called Montessori at Home! and he also has other ideas online.
You could also visit Deb at Living Montessori Now who has TONS of ideas!
Finally, if you want to see what I am up to in my Montessori classroom, visit my blog Discovery Days and Montessori Moments!!!! Thanks for stopping by to read our guest post for the day!!!!!
Happy Schooling!
Posted in Archives Comments closed
Have you heard?
Starting the new school year is always fast, furious and fun. In order to accomplish my goals I have subscribed to using a fabulous tracking system. You can easily find it here: www.MontessoriBuddy.com
Posted in Updates Tagged accomplish, buddy, education, fun, goals, montessori, MontessoriBuddy, new, school, start, system, tracking, year Comments closed
Welcome to At Home Montessori
Thank You For Visiting us at At Home Montessori.
My name is Shelley. I am a certified AMS Montessori Pre-Primary teacher. I am blessed to be a mommy to Giuseppe (age four) and Giuliana (age three). Thanks so much for visiting today. Grab a cozy blanket and a cup of tea….let’s study Montessori at home!
We are focused on proving our children with the essentials that will allow them to grow in a happy, healthy, safe and educated environment.. I am compelled to be of service to our children and help guide you with the materials needed to provide your child a Montessori education.
I would like to first thank you for visiting “athomemontessori” YouTube videos posted.
My new At Home Montessori Blog.
Join our At Home Montessori Facebook Family!
To find out how to get a full At Home Montessori package please E-mail me.
