When Dr. Maria Montessori spoke of the prepared environment, she wasn’t just describing a beautiful classroom filled with child-sized furniture and neatly arranged materials. She was describing a space that nourishes the whole person, a place designed to meet children’s developmental needs, spark curiosity, and invite purposeful activity. A Montessori prepared environment is a place designed for children. And the design deeply respects children’s natural drives, including their sensitive periods...
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At Forestville Montessori School, children participate in many different sports and physical activities. These include swimming, gymnastics, tennis, surfing, rock climbing, table tennis, athletics, ball skills, skipping and Jump Rope for Heart. This variety gives every child opportunities to discover ways of moving that feel enjoyable, purposeful and achievable. It also introduces students to individual pursuits and team experiences, encouraging them to develop a positive, lifelong relationship with physical activity....
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Digital detox? No need, Montessori in the early years is screen free In a world where screens are part of everyday life, it can be surprising to enter an early-years Montessori classroom and see children learning without ipads , interactive whiteboards or personal devices. Instead, they are pouring water, sorting objects, tracing textured letters, building words, counting beads, preparing food and caring for their environment. This is not a gap...
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Spring opens a refreshing door. Suddenly, there is time (unhurried, generous time!) to kneel beside a flower and really look at it. To follow a beetle across a garden path. To press a leaf between the pages of a book and wonder later what kind of tree it came from. To ask questions that don't have quick answers and feel good about the not-knowing. This is exactly the spirit of...
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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…
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October 25th is World Teacher’s Day – a day of great importance at FMS! More than teachers, our educators are partners in learning, guides, mentors, role models, and friends. They make it possible for us to share the high-fidelity Montessori education FMS students enjoy. FMS teachers bring Montessori learning to life every day, so today, it’s hats off and gratitude to our team. FMS teachers have a personal connection to the…
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As we start a new school term, we focus on settling children into their classes, their work and their school routine. At Forestville Montessori School (FMS), routines and schoolwork can look a little different than other schools. With this in mind, we’d like to share what learning at FMS looks like from a parent’s point of view. Here, an FMS mother of 3 shares her process for choosing a Montessori…
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It’s that time of year again. The temperature is rising ever so slowly, the daylight is gracing us with its presence a bit more each day, and it feels like the world outside is waking up. Spring does something amazing for us all. While we believe in the importance of finding fun ways to be outside all year round, spring seems to pull us there without the need for…
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