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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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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This Term at FMS, ten preschool students and 10 older adults from our community have been working an playing together with a hope to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of older adults now and in the future… In today's rapidly aging society, addressing the health and well-being of older adults has become a pressing concern. The George Institute for Global Health has embarked on an innovative journey to...
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This week at Forestville Montessori, we celebrate the 3rd birthday of one of our favourite furry friends, Monty! Monty is our unofficial school mascot. He is a source of endless joy and playfulness for students at FMS and a gentle, calming companion for children who need extra support from time to time. Did you know that Monty – and the team of other animals at FMS – are part of...
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Marking the end of Preschool and the first stage of Primary School, Kindergarten is a pivotal year in children’s lives and learning. Starting Kindergarten often means less time at home, more days at school, longer days at school and for some children, it might even be their first time at school! It’s a time of rapid growth and increasing independence. As with any period of change, moving to kindergarten can...
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