The Montessori Parent Blog
Montessori insight, parenting tips, and activities to try at home, from the teachers at our three St. Louis schools.
Showing all 55 articles
How to Adjust Bedtime Routines for School
Good sleep is essential for a child’s physical and mental health. During sleep, the body repairs itself, and the brain consolidates memories and retains information.
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Enjoy Montessori-Inspired Summer Activities This Summer
Are you looking for an engaging childcare experience this summer? North American Montessori is the perfect choice for you!
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Why Montessori Education is Perfect for Summer Enrichment
Summer is the season we all look forward to when the days are longer, the sun shines brighter, and life becomes more relaxed. During this time, children stay up late, have sleepovers, enjoy outdoor activities, and go on vacations.
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4 Easy Earth Day Activities for Kids
Earth Day aims to increase awareness and appreciation of our planet and its environment. Children must learn the importance of caring for the earth and recognize how their actions impact our environment.
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Montessori-Inspired Winter Activities
The Montessori Method recognizes the importance of children having experiences that allow them to probe, discover, create, and learn.
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Going Back to School Montessori Style
It’s no surprise that going to preschool can feel like a big transition for children.
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What Does a Montessori Classroom Look Like?
Selecting the right childcare and preschool is essential, as this environment sets the foundation for your child’s love of learning as they grow.
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Benefits of Montessori Education
The Montessori Method is an educational method and philosophy that recognizes children’s natural curiosity and desire to learn.
Read moreMontessori Activities for Preschoolers During COVID-19
COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges amidst social distancing, and with kids beginning to return to schools and daycares, things may feel a bit hectic!
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How to Make Math Fun for Preschoolers
Making preschool math something kids look forward to learning is a challenge to both educators and parents.
Read moreHow Does Montessori Prepare My Child for Elementary School?
As a parent, you want to give your child the best possible start in life. You know that the foundation of future success is getting a great education, but how do you choose the perfect school for your child?
Read moreDoes the Montessori Learning Method Work?
As a parent, you want the best for your child, and that starts with the right education.
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Montessori vs. Waldorf: What’s the Difference?
When Maria Montessori opened the first Casa dei Bambini in Rome in 1907, little could she have known that her ideas would create an educational model to celebrate and honor the individuality of each child, or that her model would endure and grow well over a century later.
Read moreMaking Music Montessori-Style
If there is one thing that unites us all, regardless of age, gender, or culture, it’s music.
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Montessori Toys for Preschool Make Learning Fun
Children are naturally creative. Given the right nurturing environment, their love for learning and problem-solving can be reinforced to last throughout their lives.
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Join Elementary Summer Camp at The Centre at Conway
We are so glad to pilot this elementary camp program! Our themes this summer will be Farm to Table & Children’s Literature.
Read moreHow Important Is Structured Fitness in Early Childhood?
Structured fitness such as sports or games with clear-cut rules are a staple at many early childhood centers. But how does it differ from unstructured play, when children are allowed to choose their activities freely?
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Normalization in the Montessori Classroom
With the new school year up and running, parents of new NAMCC students will no doubt hear the term “normalization” throughout the next several months.
Read moreTeaching Your Child Assertiveness
We all want to raise our kids to be polite and help people if they need it. And while it’s important that your child learn to be polite, politeness can be overdone and result in negative consequences.
Read moreWhat to Expect from Montessori Child Care Centers
Recently, I posted a blog about general criteria to use when looking for a daycare provider for your child.
Read moreWhat to Look for in a Daycare Provider
So you’ve begun researching potential daycare options for your child. Many parenting books and blogs will strongly encourage you to visit child care centers before making a decision.
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Walking On The Line: A Lesson From Dr. Montessori
North American Montessori is doing an Art, Music and Movement themed Summer Program at CAC, so wanted to share this article that goes along with Montessori and Movement.
Read more3 Effective Lessons in Self-Control
It’s an inevitable fact of childhood that kids will act out and lose control in the classroom. There are several ways to prevent outbursts before they happen and teach your classroom how to control themselves.
Read moreTeaching Cultural Appreciation in Montessori Child Care
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s a good time to educate your children on the otherholidays of winter.
Read moreWorking Thanksgiving into Montessori Lessons
With Thanksgiving coming up soon, it’s a good time to incorporate the holiday into your lesson plans.
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Autumn Safety Tips for Parents
Now that the leaves are changing and it’s getting colder, it’s time for bonfires and other fun fall festivities.
Read more4 Qualities of Great Montessori Lesson Plans
Creating Montessori lesson plans for your students can be difficult, especially if you are unsure what they should include, but it doesn’t have to be.
Read moreMontessori, Waldorf, & Reggio Emilia: 3 Teaching Philosophies
When it comes to early childhood education and development, there are three “progressive” teaching philosophies: Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia.
Read more3 Ways to Help Your Child Learn Self-Control
You’re in the grocery store with your child when he or she begins to fuss and throw a tantrum. Maybe they’re tired and want to go home or see something they want and can’t have.
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5 Tips for Getting Your Classroom Ready for the New School Year
With the first day of school right around the corner, you may be stressing about what you need to do to get your classroom ready for your new students.
Read moreDon’t Get Burned! Sun Safety Tips for Parents
Summer is getting hotter and sunnier, which means more outdoor time for children.
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A Teacher’s Wish List, Part 2: Finding Time to Collaborate
Previously, we discussed how finding time to plan lessons can be difficult for teachers and how to find that time.
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A Teacher’s Wish List: Finding Time to Plan
Between lessons and caring for your students, finding time to plan can sometimes be overwhelming for teachers.
Read moreMusic Therapy Helps Children with ADHD in the Classroom
In a classroom environment, ADHD can sometimes interfere with a child’s progression and education.
Read moreUnderstanding Your Child’s Imaginary Friend
Many parents accept that having an imaginary friend or friends at a young age is normal for a child.
Read moreHelping Children with Autism
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that can affect a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others.
Read moreHow to Positively Communicate with Your Child’s Teacher
There are both right and wrong ways to communicate with school staff. Knowing how to communicate effectively with your child’s teacher can form a parent-teacher relationship built on mutual trust and respect.
Read moreHow to Cook with Your Children
As touched on in a previous blog, teaching your kids how to cook is a fun and educational activity, especially when cold weather keeps the family indoors.
Read moreWhat Type of Child Care Work is Right for You?
Choosing what kind of child care center to work at is an important decision, as there are many varieties.
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The Importance of Free & Risky Play in Early Childhood
Structured fitness is an important part of a child’s development. It teaches children how to play by the rules, work as a team, and deal with winning and losing.
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Putting Your Camera Away & Living in the Moment
The holidays and photos go hand-in-hand, right? For many of us, family Christmas cards were a yearly staple.
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The Effect of Gender Roles on a Child’s Identity
The age old mantra, “Be yourself,” is easier said than done, especially for preschoolers. Children are constantly faced with gender stereotypes shown in the meDia and by adults they look up to.
Read moreWhy You Should Take Your Kids to the Library
Need to get the whole family out of the house? Want access to free entertainment?
Read moreParticipate in the Centre at Conway’s StL Birthday Cake
We are going to make a Pink Tower birthday cake as a school project to celebrate St. Louis’ 250th birthday. The city has been celebrating all year and placing cakes at 250 locations.
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The Directress’s Role in Normalization
Normalization is an essential part of the Montessori Method, particularly in early education and child care.
Read moreSeptember’s “Pat on the Back” Winners and More
The Centre at Conway awarded staff members 3 different awards last month. Congratulations to you all!
Read moreWellness Alert From Casa Dia Montessori of Mehlville
All children should wash their hands with soap or use hand sanitizer upon entering the building.
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Promoting a Healthy Body Image in Your Child
Child obesity statistics and teen eating disorders are common knowledge to parents these days, but many people are unaware at how early on our words and actions push children in this direction.
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Positive Time Outs for Kids
Last time, we discussed how to control your anger around your child to avoid a meltdown. But sometimes putting your kid in time out seems like the only option to calm everyone down.
Read moreLower Parking Lot Closed at Centre at Conway
The lower parking lot at the Centre at Conway will be closed from May 2nd through May 12th for improvements.
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How to Limit Your Children’s Screen Time
Parenting books have been preaching to keep your child away from television for decades, citing an increase in violent tendencies or a decrease in the ability to learn.
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Enrichment Activities: Casa Dia Montessori of Crestwood
Enrichment activities contribute to the child’s self-confidence while presenting the classes in a fun and educational way. Directresss offer age-appropriate activities for students 2 years of age and older.
Read moreBooks for Kids at Different Developmental Stages
Not all books are for all children. Depending on what developmental stage your child is in, some books may be more appropriate than others.
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Child Care Centers or Nannies?
The age old question, “Nanny or child care?” has been debated and re-debated as more parents decide to balance work with family life.
Read moreNorth American Montessori Launches New Web Site!
All things must improve and grow, including our website.
Read moreSee Montessori in action
Reading about it only goes so far. Schedule a tour at any of our three St. Louis schools and see a classroom in session.
Bring your child. They'll tell you more than we can.