June is one of my favorite months of the year. Summer is "right around the corner". The school yard is in bloom, the children are excitedly gathering the hundreds and hundreds of caterpillars that have descended upon the Nature Explore play space and there is a feeling of re-birth in the air. The month will culminate with our annual Ice Cream Social where current and new families come together to celebrate our Montessori Beginnings School community.

While it is exciting to know we will soon prepare and begin our summer program, it is also a sad time as we say goodbye to some students who will be aging out of our program. Many of our students have been here since they were babies so it was bittersweet to see them perform a concert for faculty and families, and cross our little black bridge, symbolizing them moving on. We wish them and their families well as they move onto the next path of their journey.

June is also a time to finish individual student portfolios, celebrate the progress of our students and the school’s accomplishments while reflecting on ways to improve (suggestions and feedback always appreciated). As June ends it will mark the end of another busy year, full of family and student exhibits and events. I marvel at our talented Director and faculty and the tremendous amount of time and energy they invest in their students and their classrooms.  I am so thankful they are part of the team. Our behind the scenes support staff is also an integral part of the school. From the mundane tasks to technology, this group of volunteers keeps things running smoothly.  I am also thankful and blessed to have our families, who are so busy themselves-still giving what they can, when they can over the course of the year. The school would not be celebrating its 10th year without you and the tremendous support of so many. Thank you.

 By June, many of our students are flourishing at the end of a three-year learning cycle. All Pre Primary families gathered June 13th at our annual Moving Up - Moving On Ceremony as we honored the children rising through our programs. They have worked hard for three years and have achieved so much. My Director and I look forward to celebrating their successes, the dedication of our teachers, and our community of supportive families throughout the month of June.

We look forward to the promise and fun of summer and our 11th year coming in September! 

Celebrating 108 Years of Montessori Education

Montessori Education Week provides opportunity to remind faculty and families about the beauty of Montessori. It is encouraging to know that in a recent survey, 95% of our parents felt their child received the foundation needed for future success. Our school as in many other Montessori schools. lay the foundation for life-long learners. It is testament to this amazing method that it still succeeds over 100 years after Dr. Maria Montessori began putting her ideas into practice.

I would like to share this article from the American Montessori Society's website. It is an eloquent explanation of Dr. Montessori's vision. Enjoy and be prepared to be inspired-

Benefits of Montessori

Montessori education offers our children opportunities to develop their potential as they step out into the world as engaged, competent, responsible, and respectful citizens with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life.

• Each child is valued as a unique individual. Montessori education recognizes that children learn in different ways, and accommodates all learning styles. Students are also free to learn at their own pace, each advancing through the curriculum as he is ready, guided by the teacher and an individualized learning plan.
• Beginning at an early age, Montessori students develop order, coordination, concentration, and independence. Classroom design, materials, and daily routines support the individual’s emerging “self-regulation” (ability to educate one’s self, and to think about what one is learning), toddlers through adolescents.
• Students are part of a close, caring community. The multi-age classroom—typically spanning 3 years—re-creates a family structure. Older students enjoy stature as mentors and role models; younger children feel supported and gain confidence about the challenges ahead. Teachers model respect, loving kindness, and a belief in peaceful conflict resolution.
• Montessori students enjoy freedom within limits. Working within parameters set by their teachers, students are active participants in deciding what their focus of learning will be. Montessorians understand that internal satisfaction drives the child’s curiosity and interest and results in joyous learning that is sustainable over a lifetime.
• Students are supported in becoming active seekers of knowledge. Teachers provide environments where students have the freedom and the tools to pursue answers to their own questions.
• Self-correction and self-assessment are an integral part of the Montessori classroom approach. As they mature, students learn to look critically at their work, and become adept at recognizing, correcting, and learning from their errors.

Given the freedom and support to question, to probe deeply, and to make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly—a skill set for the 21st century.  

 https://amshq.org/Montessori-Education/Introduction-to-Montessori/Benefits-of-Montessori

     Well, 2014 is behind us and all the possibilities of 2015 lie ahead. Resolutions will be made, some will be broken.  As a time to count blessings, I and the faculty appreciate the good fortune we have of being able to foster a love of learning and create an environment for intellectual, social, physical and emotional balance and growth. We continue our 10th year celebrating the good fortune of being able to partner with our amazing families and their children.

     Everyday brings new challenges and rewards. As a teacher I marvel at what children are capable of if they are allowed to just get "down to business". As an administrator I appreciate the enormous commitment and love the teachers have for their craft and toward the children. As a parent I applaud and support the love and sacrifice our parents and grandparents provide. So as 2015 begins to unfold, so do all the possibilities and promise. Montessori Beginning's first 10 years have been amazing. As we get ready to launch an improved website, Face book page and message, I imagine the next 10 will be nothing less. Thank you. Happy New Year everyone. 

As October's cool winds bear down upon us and the leaves fall from the trees, I am reminded how this is a season of change. Not only for the weather, but also the students. Many returning students and new ones found themselves part of new social groups. New faculty greeted them as they transitioned into their classrooms in September. These times of transition as the children make their way from the Toddler classrooms to the Pre-primary room is so important. Not only does each class of children have new friends to meet and works to learn and master, they also have new routines to internalize. 

Stop and think about that for a moment. Children aged twelve months to five years having to conceptualize and internalize all the many nuances of a classroom or a home. There is so much to master and so many rules to know and follow. If a child is part of several homes (grandparents, divorce, babysitter etc...) there is even more to know. It is in this mastery that I think we should commend these amazing small beings. We as caregivers and parents ask so much of the children in our care and they continually rise to the challenge. There are definitely times of progress and times of regression, but how can anyone of us or the children in our lives ever succeed without having some challenges and possibly setbacks along the way?

So here's to all those amazing, resilient small ones in our lives! When any of them are having a "bad day", or seem overwhelmed, let's find the strength to recognize theirs.

 We are blessed to move into our tenth year of service to all our families. We have said farewell to longtime students and continue to welcome new ones. This past year has been one of revelation and the upcoming year is one of exciting opportunity!

 We started as a small school serving infants and toddlers, to eventually adding our pre primary program. We are very excited to welcome another ten years with an environment fully equipped to foster independence, a life-long love of learning, all while meeting the varied needs of every student, aged twelve months to six years.

This is where Montessori can “shine” and the multi age group is key, not something to be apprehensive about.  Sometimes caregivers feel this is a detriment in the classroom or to their child, but to the contrary, this allows older children and younger ones to learn from each other. Think about it in the context of a family of older and younger siblings. The same things happen at home that happen in school. Pro-social development, cognitive development and a reduction of behavior issues are just some of the benefits so long as families keep an open mind. Multi age group children are able to spend several years with the same teacher. This allows the teacher to develop a deeper understanding of a child’s strengths and needs, and is therefore in a better position to support the child’s learning. They have several years to develop, and are able to see themselves as progressive, successful learners. Children develop a sense of family with their classmates. They become a "family of learners" who support and care for each other.

It is this sense of family that makes this upcoming school year so exciting. Not only do we move into our tenth year of service, we do it voted number one in childcare from Cape Cod Magazine! We also have the honor of being the first school on Cape Cod and the South shore certified as a Nature Explore Outdoor classroom and play space. If you have been to Hidden Hollow at Heritage Gardens then you know the dynamic and energizing environment this provides for children.

It has been quite a journey with many children and their families moving through our classrooms over the years, experiencing this child centered philosophy called “Montessori”. Their families have been partners in the journey and we are proud to welcome back former students and their families to attend events or come read to a classroom.

Thank you Cape Cod for supporting us - we look forward to many more years of service!

“And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time.” 
― Libba Bray, The Sweet Far Thing

Another school year is behind us and we look forward to the upcoming one. That said, the previous year has been one of change and next is set to follow the same path as we celebrate our tenth year. We have welcomed change and experienced it one gesture, one person, one moment at a time to be sure. We would not have the Nature Explore play space, classroom space or tidy school were it not for the efforts of devoted families and faculty. These tasks were monumental in planning, preparation and completion but so worth the time and effort. Thank you.

So with the end of the year came saying good bye to families that had been with us since their children were infants. While it was sad to say farewell, it was truly a gift to watch babbling babies grow to precocious, precious pre-primary students! The enormity of all they have accomplished in their short time on earth is amazing and we have been blessed to be a part of the journey. Thank you to our families for sharing your most precious gift with us!

Now we look forward to summer and all the excitement that comes with it! Each classroom will explore many exciting concepts this July and August. They will enjoy art, science, building, exploring, imagining, playing, water fun, getting messy, visits from Green Briar Nature Center and the Mass. Audubon Society, all while investigating and learning about the world around them.

When you are young, it doesn't get much better than this. Who am I kidding? Who says you have to be young!?

We are in the eighth month of our Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom. It has been interesting to see it evolve over these past months. When we opened in October of 2013, the leaves were on the trees and all the plants looked lush and green. As fall progressed there was abscission - where the leaves fall from the oaks, as did acorns. The older children loved gathering these for "food" in their playhouse. I was happy that gathering them kept the younger children from possible choking hazards. The leaves provided giant piles to jump in while the damp, musty smell brought the children back for more. Corn stalks and pumpkins filled our messy materials area as the children built lean-to's with the stalks and bowled with the smallest pumpkins. 

Winter's grip left the play space a bit bare. This was the time to be thankful for all the evergreens in the yard.  The bountiful boughs of greenery and pine cones able to be used in the Nature Art table and Messy Materials area was welcome relief from stark surroundings. Every snowfall brought ample opportunity to build bigger snowmen, snowballs and chop ice. Snow storm after snowstorm blanketed the ground in white so it was nice to finally start to see the green and brown ground as we experienced a spring thaw.

Spring has been a welcome addition to the Outdoor Classroom! Watching buds come from the branches, daffodil and crocus bulbs emerge, inch worms invade and many birds revisit our feeders, has brought a renewed energy and vibe to the space. What a wonderful task faculty and families undertook just a year ago to make this space come to life. It has been interesting and wonderful to watch the evolution and transformation of this beautiful space. Can't wait to see what fun summer brings...  

I’ll admit I am partial to the Montessori philosophy. When I conduct tours of the school, it is interesting to me the misinformation out there. No, Montessori is not a cult (the strangest question I have fielded), nor do we keep children from playing or socializing.  Nor is it a “free for all,” where children just run about with no direction.

Montessori is just the opposite! It is a child centered, enriching environment set to the child’s level. It allows them the freedom to explore their classroom and learn at their own pace, building upon an intrinsic motivation to learn and develop. When was the last time you had to tell an eight month old child, “ok, babble – time to babble”? My point is children are born with a developmental timeline-an inner drive that can be stifled by our good intentions as parents and caregivers. If a child is taught to receive or have to seek external praise all the time, how will she learn to believe in herself and the work she does?

There are many developmental and educational philosophies in the world. I have been fortunate to learn about Maria Montessori’s revolutionary work in child and brain development. When she made her observations one hundred years ago she did not have the benefit of machines to test her theories but the testing today supports the work she did so long ago. As Dr. Stephen Hughes, President of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology remarks about Montessori:

“If we decided that the purpose of education should be to help every child’s brain reach its highest developmental potential, we would have to radically rethink school. The task seems insurmountable, yet this work has already been done. In fact, it was done over a hundred years ago. When examined through the lens of environmental enrichment and brain development, Montessori education presents a radically different-and radically effective-educational approach that may be the best method we’ve got to ensure the optimal cognitive, social, and emotional development of every child.” 

This is a week set aside to educate the world about this wonderful philosophy. I hope you will find out a little more about this amazing woman who launched a revolution so long ago that is still going strong; thank you Dr. Maria Montessori!

Until next time-

Kathy Raymond

P.S.  If you want to see some interesting videos on the amazing brain and education, check out Dr. Hughes’ wesite at www.buildingbetterbrains.com