Montessori Education Week is Here!

Next week (February 20-26), begins our annual Montessori Education Week celebration. Montessori is something to be celebrated, as it has everything to do with the development of the future; which are our children!

This week marks 115 years of Montessori Education! Quite an accomplishment for a methodology that can often be misunderstood. When I conduct tours with families, I am amazed at the misinformation:

No. It is not a “free-for-all” in a classroom. Children can move at their own pace and have “freedom within limits”. There is a schedule to the day and children have the time to explore and develop.

No. It is not a cult. It is a child centered philosophy ascribed to by authentic Montessori schools. There is a certain methodology followed; a sequence in the way curriculum is prepared, set up and demonstrated, that allows each child autonomy and independence.

Yes. Children can play and use their imagination. This is an integral piece in this philosophy. Maria Montessori believed that play IS the work of the child. To keep that from them, keeps them from flourishing.

Yes. Children can have friends and build long term friendships. The social-emotional focus during early development is a critical component in a classroom. Identifying feelings, allowing them to happen, working through conflicts and building on skills is essential.

Yes. Your child can read or write or multiply or all three, if they choose. Work is not forced on a child because a book says they should be capable of a certain skill by a certain age. The materials in the classroom lend themselves to developing a child as far as their curiosity and capability will take them. The teachers respect that growth and find ways to engage a child so they leave our kindergarten as capable, happy, life long learners.

There are many philosophies in the world of education. I happen to be fond of Montessori. The many benefits especially academically, socially and emotionally far outweigh the misconceptions.

Here’s to another 115 years!

Kathy RaymondComment
Fall Behind and Spring Forward

That may be true for our alarm clocks, but not for our little ones!

We never want any child to fall behind, which is what makes the Montessori philosophy so beautiful. Being child centered, we are guided by our student’s cues and interests. What an interesting bunch too!

Our youngest, or Seedling students are striving for independence while still needing extra guidance and nurturing. Our older, Sprout children are more confident, yet still want that love and reassurance. The Tree students are now preschoolers or kindergarteners. This group is multifaceted and talented but still desire the spontaneity and tenderness of their younger years.

Did you know it would take us, as adults, sixty years to replicate the immense brain growth children experience the first six years of their life? That is inspiring and amazing! Everyday I walk through the rooms and interact with our many students, I am in awe. Their capacity for knowledge and creativity knows no bounds. They may fall back into our arms for support, but it is not long before they spring forward to embrace their potential. We are honored guides along their journey toward adulthood and wouldn’t have it any other way. xoxo

Kathy RaymondComment
Trying Times

Who would have thought that half way through April we would have no children in our classrooms. It is strange to come into school and prepare Google Classroom Story and work time for our children. Keeping our connection to our students at this time is so important. Our preschoolers and kindergarteners love showing the work they are doing. The toddlers love to make the crafts and show them during our virtual classroom time.Getting to see their smiling faces as they sing along with us and listen during stories, warms our hearts.

We miss interactions with families on a daily basis too! We are so thankful for the support of our families as we all work to keep some normalcy to their lives. Our You Tube channel is starting to gain followers and we are excited to share stories, yoga and songs with our friends. Yes, this is certainly an unprecedented time but we want to keep a sense of normalcy.

We know this is a difficult time and we hope to welcome all our families back in May. Stay strong and know we will help anyway we can!!

Kathy RaymondComment
March Madness!

March madness? Well, perhaps a little of our own. We just celebrated Montessori Education Week and welcomed our families for Family NIght. We are now into our annual Re-Enrollment process for next year and are excited to welcome back many toddler, pre school and kindergarten families! Even our As we start to wind down our current school year, we anxiously await some fun events. The annual Art Show, Volunteer Day and Ice Cream Social will all be popular and we look forward to celebrating many accomplishments.

This month has me reflecting on what an amazing, small but mighty school we have. Our families are fabulous, thoughtful and helpful. Our students are eager learners, busy explorers and gifted each in their own ways. No two days are the same. Our teachers are energetic, dedicated and hard working. The success of each child is a priority and the partnership with each family a must. Yes, we have our daily routines, but the energy, spontaneity and joy ebb and flow daily, like the tide.

So as March blends into April, we all move toward the end of another wonderful, challenging, rewarding year. I know I speak for all the teachers when I say, we wouldn’t be the school we are without the support of our families and community. Thank you. Happy spring!

Kathy/Owner

Kathy RaymondComment
Happy New Year

Well, it has been awhile. Summer fun, fall festivities and holiday cheer have all gone. We welcomed back our families today, following our winter break. Now it’s time to embrace a new year and the second half of our school year.

So much has happened in our classrooms! With daily opportunities for physical, social-emotional, language, problem solving and motor skill development, you would not recognize the children who began this school year a few months ago. Never underestimate the power of a child. Their capacity for growth still keeps me awestruck!

As January begins and we all move forward, the faculty and myself, cannot wait to see where the rest of the year takes us!

Happy New Year!

Kathy RaymondComment
What a Year!

Our 2018-2019 school year is almost over and we get ready for our summer program!! This is a bittersweet time of year as we say goodbye to some students and families as they move on. What joy as we have watched these children work so hard and come so far. We celebrate such determination with our annual Bridging-Moving Up ceremony. The sweet sounds of the children singing is mixed with the clapping of proud families as we all watch and ready ourselves for what is to come.

Our second year students now become our third year. This is such a wonderful chance for these children to shine. They are able to reinforce their learning by helping others and becoming leaders in their classroom. This is a milestone year, a culmination of all their efforts.

From the Fall Festival, our STEM Science Night, spring Art Show to our Ice Cream Social, we look forward to coming together as a school community . So thankful to have had this partnership with our families for fifteen years. We love being part of this community and could not flourish without the support and faith from our families and MBS friends.

As we ready for summer, we will continue to nurture and play, then prepare for the year ahead. So much opportunity! Until then,

Happy Summer!!!

Kathy RaymondComment
It's Montessori Education Week!

Welcome to Montessori Education Week! I love this time of year as we head toward spring and a new school year. There is opportunity for families to re-enroll for another wonderful school year, new families to enroll for their first wonderful school year and a chance to explain a bit more about this fabulous philosophy.

Why Montessori? Why not! This philosophy centers on your child, their abilities and capabilities.. It focuses on independence, problem solving, respect and a life-long love of learning. Whether your child is an infant, toddler, preschooler or kindergartener, this environment is a multi-faceted approach to their positive growth and over all development.

Though we at Montessori Beginnings are partial to “Montessori”, it does not solve all of the challenges that occur with children. The article below,, “How to Get Your Child to Listen”, was submitted by one of our teachers and it offers some powerful suggestions on getting your child (ren) to listen. Thank you to ahaparenting.com for this insightful article and the wealth of information on the website! Hope you enjoy -

Kathy

www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/communication/How-get-kid-listen

Kathy RaymondComment
Welcome to a New Year

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are now over. We have made it through half a year! Our children came back energized and full of stories. They are really settling into routines, eager to experience and learn more with each passing day! Of course we love to provide a multitude of opportunities for them to learn, grow and have fun too!

As you settle into this new year, we would like to wish you and your family health, peace and prosperity. Whatever comes your way, may you be met with understanding, an open heart and helpful hands.

Happy New Year!

Your MBS Team,

Jennifer, Gretchen, Amelia, Jennifer, Mindy, Shaunna, Kathy, Stephanie, Susan

Kathy RaymondComment