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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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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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.…
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This week at Forestville Montessori School, we invited the wonderful Kei from Montessori Dance to share insights about teaching dance in a Montessori environment. Movement at Montessori A key element that differentiates Montessori schools from the mainstream is our child-centred approach, emphasising the development of the whole child. Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori approach, believed that education should cater to all aspects of a child’s development—intellectual, physical, social,…
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As we develop a new vision and mission for our school, we continually refer to the guiding principles of Montessori philosophy. What are the values we impart to our students and how can we, as educators, leaders and parents, cultivate these in our own lives? Two words regularly used in the Montessori classroom are grace and courtesy. To inspire grace and courtesy in our children, we need to model these…
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Last Friday, as part of the Combined Sydney Montessori Staff Development Day for 2024, FMS staff were treated to a live presentation from clinical psychologist, Dr. Andrew Fuller. Dr Fuller is a psychologist, author and (very entertaining) speaker. He specialises mental health and wellbeing for young people and their families, working with schools, communities and individuals in Australia and around the world. According to his website, Dr Fuller ‘puts the…
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