Montessori in Action Archives

Mar 11 2025

Assessment in Montessori Schools

By Denice Scala Montessori in Action, Montessori Philosophy No Comments

This week primary school students at FMS are participating in NAPLAN testing as part of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) assessment process. Also this week, and in the weeks to come, we are welcoming FMS parents to speak with teachers in person and online about their children's progress at FMS. Both activities have parents (and children!) thinking more about learning, assessment and progress as part of Montessori education.…

Mar 06 2025

Montessori at Home

By Denice Scala Article, Montessori Basics, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy, The Prepared Environment No Comments

At FMS, our teachers facilitate your children’s growing independence, confidence, capability and real-world application of everything they learn at school. But there’s just so much to learn, and children never stop learning, even at home. This is why we love sharing ‘Montessori at Home’ with families in our community, so you can engage with and extend your child’s education, develop strong relationships with your children, and establish your unique community…

Feb 27 2025

Montessori Preschool student practical skills

Montessori Education: The foundation of freedom

By Denice Scala Article, Montessori Basics, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy, The Prepared Environment No Comments

In order to be truly free, we need to be able to make our own choices, which means having the skills and abilities to then act upon our choices. Without independence, we can’t truly be free.  As children’s independence grows, so does their opportunity for freedom. They have more choices available and more to consider. The freedom children experience in our prepared learning environments is directly related to their independence.…

Feb 20 2025

Forestville Montessori student satisfaction

Developing Intrinsic Motivation – Benefits for your child

By Denice Scala Article, Montessori Basics, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Our School, The Prepared Environment No Comments

Think of a time when you did an activity because you wanted to do it–maybe weeding your garden, reading a book, taking a walk, or rearranging your bedroom. Your motivations arose entirely from within you. You likely felt pure joy or satisfaction in the very act of what you were doing. In these activities, you may have also felt a sense of meaning or purpose. Or maybe you felt like…

Feb 13 2025

Why do Montessori Classrooms Have Long, Uninterrupted Work Periods?

By Denice Scala Article, Montessori Basics, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Our School, The Prepared Environment No Comments

The Montessori method of education was born from Dr. Montessori's scientific observations as she explored how to support children’s optimum development. In her studies, Dr. Montessori found that children need a block of uninterrupted time to go through cycles of focus and consolidation. Children aged two and a half and older need at least three hours to move through rhythms of focus. Often, the most growth and meaningful work happens…

Dec 05 2024

A Sprinkling of Holiday Ideas

By Denice Scala Article, Helpful Hints, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori learning at home, Our School No Comments

We have seen how children feel more grounded and cooperative when they have a role to play. Thus, whenever possible, it’s helpful to find little (and sometimes big!) ways for children to help with holiday preparations. Children’s active participation helps them develop important life skills and also helps them better adapt to changes in holiday rhythms and routines. We wanted to share a few ideas on incorporating Montessori principles into…

Sep 19 2024

Montessori and Peace Education

By Denice Scala Article, FMS Values, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy, Our School No Comments

"Preventing conflicts is the work of politics, establishing peace is the work of education." Dr Maria Montessori As we celebrate the International Day of Peace this Saturday, we remind families of our mission at FMS: We are a school educating for Peace. Having lived through WWII, Maria Montessori was passionate about how to help the world towards peace. Peace is woven throughout every aspect of the Montessori curriculum. Sometimes the…

Sep 12 2024

Movement Matters! The importance of movement for babies and toddlers

By Denice Scala Article, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy, Our School No Comments

This term, Primary school students at FMS have been practising new skills, increasing their physical activity, and learning about heart health as part of the Jump Rope for Heart program. By participating in the program, FMS primary students have been jumping, skipping, hopping and moving more every day. They are also choreographing their own moves! Committing to their practice daily, out of school hours, students are spending less time on…

Sep 05 2024

Montessori Education: Planes of development

By Denice Scala Article, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy, Our School No Comments

Dr. Montessori recognised that childhood development is divided into four main phases which she called ‘planes of development.’ Each plane builds upon what was learned in those previously, and each plane has both an active and passive phase. By fully understanding the developmental needs of a child — wherever they happen to be on this continuum — we are better able to create an environment that will be optimal…

Aug 22 2024

How to Encourage Joyful Readers

By Denice Scala FMS Values, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy No Comments

Proficient reading skills set our children up for success in so many ways. Cultivating a love of joyful reading provides them with a lifetime of inspiration, entertainment, and knowledge. Do teachers teach kids to read? Of course. But what parents do at home plays an enormous role in a child’s reading too. Here are our tips help make reading a positive experience that your child will carry joyfully throughout their…

Montessori in Action