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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Harmony Week is a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Fittingly, this year’s theme is Everyone Belongs. These values reflect the core values of Montessori education and very specifically the values we hold true at Forestville Montessori School. Within our small school community there are more than 27 cultural backgrounds. 48% of...
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If you’ve ever watched a young Montessori child build a word out of beautifully crafted red and blue letters, you’ve witnessed something profound. This is the moment when spoken language begins to take physical shape through the Movable Alphabet, a beloved Montessori material that opens the door to writing long before children’s hands are ready for a pencil. What Is the Movable Alphabet? The Movable Alphabet is a wooden box...
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With invitations shared this week for our parent-educator conferences, we thought we'd introduce all FMS families to one of the quieter, less visible practices in a Montessori primary classroom: the Child-Educator conference. You may never see it listed on a schedule or mentioned in a weekly update, yet it plays a profound role in children’s experience at school. Relationship Comes First The purpose of these conferences is to establish, maintain,...
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The school years are full of exciting growth but can, at times, be fraught with tricky social situations. This is all normal. Children are learning how to communicate kindly and effectively, make and maintain friendships, manage their emotions, and solve problems, all while figuring out their place within a group. It’s no surprise that challenges arise. As parents and caregivers, our instinct is to protect our children, especially when they...
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Our children are particularly sensitive to changes. Whether something as seemingly small as news day, or as major as a new sibling, our children feel the energetic shift of change, and we may see resulting (and perhaps frustrating) differences in their behavior. Starting the school year, moving to a new classroom and especially starting a new school are much bigger changes that may take your child a little more time...
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