Parenting Archives

Nov 14 2019

Practical Ways to Help Anxious Kids

By Denice Scala Emotional Wellbeing, Parenting No Comments

Anxiety is a completely normal part of the human experience. Both adults and children experience anxiety from time to time. As children grow, they go through so many changes physically, cognitively, and emotionally, it’s understandable that they may feel nervous occasionally. You will likely notice your child move through a number of phases in which they display anxious behaviors. If you feel like your child’s anxiety is more than just...

Nov 06 2019

Preparing your child for an unpredictable future?

By Denice Scala FMS Values, Parenting No Comments

How does a parent prepare their child for an unpredictable future? Don’t we all just want to give them every possible advantage? How do we define success in our children’s lives? Is it about being able to provide for oneself or is it finding joy in the work we do? Is it about contributing to our communities or perhaps continuing to learn throughout our lives? Couldn’t it (shouldn’t it) be...

Oct 30 2019

What’s Parenting Like for Families Today?

By Denice Scala Emotional Wellbeing, Parenting No Comments

You belong to a unique period in human history. Countless distractions compete for your attention in your home and work life. How does this play out when you’re with your children? Work demands can be unrelenting, interruptions with technology are ever present, complete with draining household logistics and consumer media. So, what’s the ultimate challenge? Being present and being intentional with your choices. An awareness of how these challenges impact the...

Oct 25 2019

The Smiles Say it All…

By Denice Scala FMS Values, Parenting No Comments

Living in Australia away from my homeland I’ve come to appreciate the times that my parents have travelled a very long way to be with my daughter. Now they are older and not able to travel we miss them so much and we take regular trips back to Scotland to be with them. What’s special about the time they spend together are the little things like the day she dropped...

Sep 26 2019

What’s All The Fuss About Class Size?

By Denice Scala Parenting No Comments

Class size in schools is a hot topic at the moment. Here at Forestville Montessori School we’re perplexed. We don’t get what all the fuss is about. Our students are self-directed learners, setting their own pace with teachers who tailor learning to their individual needs, taking them on a journey of discovery. We focus on things like ensuring students are engaged regardless of their age and abilities. We seek adventures...

Sep 17 2019

Parents looking at a computer with child.

Introducing Transparent Classroom

By Denice Scala Parenting No Comments

Transparent Classroom is a huge shift in the way we as busy educators plan, deliver and record our daily interactions with children in our Montessori environments. We’re excited about introducing Transparent Classroom because it’s genuinely Montessori and we get to track every child’s progress. Ever wondered what lessons your child has participated in every day? Ever wondered what’s happening for your child in their learning environment in real time? Wanting...

Sep 11 2019

Books to Love the Earth

By Denice Scala Montessori Philosophy, Parenting No Comments

Our planet is a beautiful, magical place. As our children move through their young lives at a different pace and with different eyes than we have as adults, they often remind us to notice all the small and special things. Whether it be a ladybug on their bedroom wall or the way leaves make shadows on the lawn, we get to appreciate Earth in a new way. This book list...

May 06 2019

Show Mum how much you care on Mother's Day

5 Simple Ways to Show Her You Care on Mother’s Day

By Denice Scala Montessori Philosophy, Parenting No Comments

Everyone loves to feel appreciated. With Mother’s Day coming up next Sunday, it’s a great time to think of how you might show the mothers and carers in your life what they mean to you. Here at FMS our students are getting ready to host a Mother’s Day morning tea, but in the meantime, we offer five simple ideas to celebrate and care for the woman who cares for everyone....

Apr 04 2019

Watering the plants at the end of the day is a part of Montessori chores.

Chores: They’re Good for Your Kids!

By Denice Scala Parenting, Talking with children No Comments

Chores: the word has such a negative connotation. But does it need to be that way? Do you remember doing chores when you were growing up? I do. My parents just expected that my brother and me would muck in and get our jobs done so we never regarded chores as negative consequences. We helped out around the house but never thought it was a big deal. Now I just...

Parenting