For this month’s Materials Highlight we bring you the fraction insets; a beautiful set of metal templates resting on slanted wooden trays. As you can see in the photo above, the insets range from one whole through tenths, and each piece has a small knob allowing children to move them easily. But before we get to the insets, perhaps we should back up just a bit. Prior to an introduction to fractions,...
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I’ve often said that Maria Montessori has a quote for everything. When you start to read her vast body of work, it’s no wonder. Dr. Maria Montessori was a scientist and physician, first and foremost. She stumbled her way into education when she observed the mistreatment of children put into her care. She recognised that adults (especially at the time) did not give children the credit and respect they deserved, and this launched...
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In our latest blog, we share Lorena Seidel's incredible presentation on Tantrums and Defiance. Lorena Seidel M.Ed. is a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Consultant, a certified Montessori teacher, a trained Positive Discipline Educator, a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction MBSR teacher, and a mother of three. In this video, Lorena will share various tools and strategies to help parents thrive at parenting and create an emotionally intelligent home. She answers parent questions, and...
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“I beg the dear all-powerful children to unite with me for the building of peace in Man and in the world.’ Dr Maria Montessori. These words, that can be found on Maria Montessori's tombstone, are an indication of the immense respect she had for children and her incredible belief in their potential. For those families who joined us at the Alumni Q&A recently, you would’ve heard for yourself just how much...
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We know parents have choices when it comes to their children’s education. We know these choices are not easy. There are many factors to consider, but have you thought about why Montessori students could adapt so well to Learning from Home during COVID-19? Independence is a key factor. Montessori education has been successfully serving children and families around the world for over a century. The basics remain - and for...
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Parenting is an amazing life experience. We all know how lucky we are to watch our children as they grow into the people they are meant to be. We try to stop and appreciate the little moments. We take hundreds of photos. We try to prepare them healthy food and space to run and play. We tell them we love them and do our very best to really be present. ...
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With today’s reported COVID cases the highest ever in NSW, we are certainly facing uncertain times ahead and with enormous challenges we did not predict or expect. With Level 4 Lockdown doomed to continue in Sydney, our children are likely to be Learning from Home for longer. As parents, you are no doubt juggling working from home whilst managing your children at home. The streets are eerily silent, and grocery stores are weird places. We’re all a little on edge, but as you might imagine,...
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Food preparation as a skill is an integral element of any Montessori classroom. While specific lessons feature most prominently during the Toddler and Pre-School years, our lower and upper primary educators find ways to teach children these important skills throughout the year as well. Learning one’s way around the kitchen is a skill that couldn’t be easier to translate at home. Parents - you can support this important learning as often as you like;...
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Idette Warburton, an FMS Alumni, share her thoughts on the importance of a child’s early education and some memories from her time as a student at FMS. She believes that “a child’s primary years are the truly academic years and getting this foundation right is critical in a child’s development and performance beyond primary school. Montessori truly is an education for life.”
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A big part of becoming a successful, independent member of society is being able to advocate for oneself. We all need to know our own worth, and we need to feel confident enough to speak up for what we require in life. This is hard for lots of people - adults included - so it makes sense that we teach our children the skills from an early age and continue...
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