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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As we help our children learn to navigate the world, we are supporting their journey toward independence. In Montessori, we often emphasise the importance of independence. But did you know that independence isn’t the end goal? Our Children’s Journey Dr. Maria Montessori observed four distinct planes of development, each representing a stage in the human journey toward greater maturity, independence, and ultimately, interdependence. At each stage, children have specific developmental...
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A common misconception about Montessori education is that it is entirely child-led. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Certainly, children feel like they are in the driver’s seat of their education, and that’s by design. Behind the scenes, Montessori-trained educators are skillfully guiding children through carefully sequenced lessons, ensuring they encounter and master all of the subject areas, strands, and standards they need. The true gift of a Montessori...
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Thank you to all families helping with class art for the annual FMS Art Auction. With FMS parents enjoying this creative outlet, we thought was timely revisit the benefits of artistic expression for our children! Numerous theories and lots of research expound upon the importance of artistic expression. For young children and adolescents, art is an especially crucial form of personal expression. As such, children need to experience their own...
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When Dr. Maria Montessori was observing children’s development, she wasn’t just focused on how they learn in the classroom. She was curious about the drives, instincts, and patterns that have shaped humans across time. These human tendencies are the forces that have guided our species since the very beginning, helping us adapt, survive, and thrive. When we recognise the human tendencies in children, we can create environments that don’t fight...
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Our Toddler and Preschool Programs share some similarities with regular childcare or preschool centres but we like to say we are different from daycare and more school than preschool. Here's what we have in common with other daycare and childcare facilities: Long hours: Toddler & preschool programs run from 8.30am - 3pm, with an on-site FMS-staffed after-school care program open until 5.30pm daily 3, 4 or 5 day program options…
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At the heart of Montessori education is a deep respect for human potential. The core of Montessori philosophy and practice originated when Dr. Maria Montessori, as part of her medical school training, worked with children who had developmental delays. Dr. Montessori observed that the children needed something different, so she provided them with materials and an environment that truly supported their development. The result? The children demonstrated remarkable growth. This...
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In our culture, we often think of “will” in terms of willpower—gritting our teeth to do something difficult or pushing ourselves to achieve a goal. But in the Montessori approach, the will is something far more profound. We understand that, rather than being about discipline or determination, the will is the very force that propels children forward in life, guiding them from unconscious action to conscious choice. In Montessori, supporting...
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