In Part One of this series, we explored Dr. Montessori's profound belief that imagination is nourished not by fantasy alone, but by reality. The richer children's concrete experiences of the world, the more powerfully their imagination can soar. In Part Two, we look at how this actually unfolds: how the carefully designed Montessori materials of the early childhood classroom lay the groundwork for the extraordinary imaginative life of the elementary-aged...
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Of all the aspects of Montessori philosophy that raise eyebrows, the topic of fantasy and imagination might be the most misunderstood. Parents sometimes hear that Montessori discourages imaginative play, or that it takes a dim view of fairy tales and make-believe. The reality is both more nuanced and more fascinating than that. Dr. Maria Montessori didn't distrust imagination. Actually, she revered it! She was deeply interested in understanding how imagination...
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You’ve likely picked up your primary-aged child from school and heard all about who said what to whom at lunch, and not a single word about reading or mathematics. This social focus is the heart of their world. This is one of the most fascinating (and occasionally challenging) realities of the primary years. The Montessori classroom is designed to give children freedom of movement and the ability to choose their...
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At Forestville Montessori School, primary education is designed to be much more than a series of lessons. It is a carefully prepared journey that supports children to grow as capable learners, thoughtful community members and confident young people. Grounded in Montessori philosophy and supported by contemporary understanding of child development, the primary years (known as the Elementary Years in other parts of the world) offer children a rich and connected...
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On Tuesday evening, Denice was joined by the FMS Chair, Geoff Fouracre, to present the Strategic Directions 2025-2030 for Forestville Montessori School. At Forestville Montessori School, education is about nurturing capable, compassionate and curious young people who are ready to engage meaningfully with the world. That is why the launch of this five-year Strategic Directions is so significant for our community. More than a formal document, it is a shared...
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In Part One of this series, we began exploring the eight Montessori principles that Dr. Angeline Stoll Lillard examines in her landmark book, Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius. As we saw, what makes these principles so compelling is that Dr. Maria Montessori's intuitions about children were a precursor to what decades of developmental science have since confirmed about how humans actually learn. In this second and final installment, we...
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Montessori education has been in existence for over a century, but does it actually work? Dr. Angeline Stoll Lillard spent years researching this question, and her book, Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, is a must-read. In her book, Dr. Lillard identifies eight principles at the heart of Montessori education. What’s key is that these Montessori principles align with what developmental science tells us about how humans actually learn. The...
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When most people think about what children need to thrive, they first think of the basics: food, sleep, safety, and love. Abraham Maslow described how fundamental needs (such as food, shelter, and sleep) must be met to satisfy higher spiritual needs, such as belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. What is perhaps less well known is that Montessori education builds on a very similar understanding of human nature and that we carefully design the prepared environment...
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Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting Hannah and Veronica from Rebound Health, Frenchs Forest, for an engaging and practical presentation on occupational therapy for children. Their insights not only illuminated the role of OT in supporting children’s everyday skills and emotional regulation but sparked thoughtful connections to Montessori teaching methodology. The child-centred, hands-on and purposeful learning environments at Forestville Montessori School all contribute to support sensory and emotional regulation...
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Have you ever wondered how your young child seems to learn without even trying? One day, they suddenly begin speaking the language, walking with confidence, or mimicking our gestures with astonishing accuracy. Dr. Maria Montessori described this extraordinary power of early learning as the Absorbent Mind, a special mental function unique to children in their first six years of life. The Absorbent Mind vs. the Adult Mind The child's mind...
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