Harmony Week is a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Fittingly, this year’s theme is Everyone Belongs. These values reflect the core values of Montessori education and very specifically the values we hold true at Forestville Montessori School. Within our small school community there are more than 27 cultural backgrounds. 48% of...
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If you’ve ever watched a young Montessori child build a word out of beautifully crafted red and blue letters, you’ve witnessed something profound. This is the moment when spoken language begins to take physical shape through the Movable Alphabet, a beloved Montessori material that opens the door to writing long before children’s hands are ready for a pencil. What Is the Movable Alphabet? The Movable Alphabet is a wooden box...
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With invitations shared this week for our parent-educator conferences, we thought we'd introduce all FMS families to one of the quieter, less visible practices in a Montessori primary classroom: the Child-Educator conference. You may never see it listed on a schedule or mentioned in a weekly update, yet it plays a profound role in children’s experience at school. Relationship Comes First The purpose of these conferences is to establish, maintain,...
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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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Last week we welcomed FMS families and guests for a parent education workshop called, Beyond Preschool; an overview of the Kindergarten and Primary School Programs at FMS. Families were fascinated and impressed on the night, and eager to learn more. The summary below is provided for all families – existing and potential – to discover the wonders of an authentic Montessori Primary school education, and the benefits for children during...
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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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