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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Last Saturday was the United Nations International Day of Peace. As a school educating for peace, we highlight this day in our calendar and remind families how peace, connection and concepts of humanity are woven into learning and life at FMS. Dr. Montessori believed that education should help children see themselves as part of a larger human family. By studying the universal needs that all humans share, children develop a...
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One of the gifts of Montessori education is that we can truly focus on the whole child —cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. Our approach is not just about academics but also about nurturing life skills, emotional intelligence, and social relationships. The Montessori approach to child development revolves around the understanding that children are naturally curious, care deeply about others, and can be intrinsically motivated. When provided with the right environment,...
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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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In Montessori education, we emphasise community, not just as an abstract concept, but as a lived daily experience. From the very beginning of life, we emphasise carefully prepared environments that foster a deep sense of belonging and connection. What Is Community? The word community comes from the Latin communis, meaning “common, public, general, or shared by all or many.” In addition to shared space, in Montessori, we also think about...
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This article has been shared by Dr Judith Locke, Clinical Psychologist, registered teacher and author. Judith recently delivered a keynote at our NSW Combined Montessori Schools Professional Development Day, ‘When help becomes unhelpful’. Her session was well received, endorsing the many benefits of a Montessori education focusing on growing children’s independence. Please see more about Dr Locke, links to her books and social media following this article... Help them...
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Understanding human development at each stage is crucial to fostering optimal growth. This belief forms the foundation of Montessori education, which is deeply rooted in the developmental needs of children. Each stage or plane of development, comes with unique needs and capacities. Understanding them allows us to better support children in their educational journey. As we prepare to welcome families to FMS for our education evening, Beyond Preschool, we invite...
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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.…
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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…
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