Steps to Parenting the Montessori Way: Part 2

• Make both going to bed and getting up a calm and pleasant ritual.

• Teach grace & courtesy in the home.  Model it.  Use courtesy with your child and help you child to demonstrate it.

• Look at family pictures together.  Help you child be aware of his/her family, names, and relationships.

• Refrain from laughing at your child.

• Teach your child about your religion and allow them to feel a part of it.

• Spend quality time with people of different ages.

• Always tell the truth.

• Alert the teacher to anything that may be affecting your child--lack of sleep, exposure to a fight, moving, relative visiting in home, parent out of town, etc.

• Teach your child his/her birthday.

• Talk about art, visit statue gardens, and make short visits to museums and look at a couple of paintings.  Make it meaningful and enjoyable.  Don't overdo.

Excerpt from Tomorrow's Child Magazine, September 2012

Steps to Parenting the Montessori Way: Part 1

• Allow sufficient time for your child to dress himself/herself.

• When talking to your child, physically get on his/her level, be still, and make eye contact.

• Tell and re-tell family-based stories.  For example, "On the day you were born..."

• Have a globe or atlas in the house, and whenever names of places come up, locate them with the child.

• Apologize to your child when you've made a mistake.

• See that your child gets to school on time.

• Sing! Voice quality does not matter.  Sing together regularly.  Build a repertoire of family favorites.

• Take walks together at the child's pace, pausing to notice things and talk about them.

• Attend school parent-education functions.

• Refrain from over-structuring your child's time with formal classes and activites.  Leave time to 'just be,' to play, explore, and create.

Excerpt from Tomorrow's Child Magazine, September 2012

Mighty Mustang Boot Camp 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 



Celebrating Different Beliefs at Montessori

It's the Most Wonderful Time...

 

Ho Ho Ho                                                                  

Tis the season to be jolly...

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay...

Over the river and through the woods...

Rudolph with your nose so bright...

We wish you a happy holiday!

 

These words and more can be heard echoing through the hallways of the Early Childhood building on a daily basis.  Children have been practicing songs for the Winter Sing-A-Long on December 21st. 

 

Of course along with the singing has come the high spirits due to the last couple of weeks before the holidays.  On Monday we were so excited to see the first snowfall of the season, the windows became the best seats in the house! 

 

And of course there is the secrecy of that special gift the children are working on.  It is a busy time of the year and an exciting one for all of us. 

 

I would like to extend our best holiday wishes on behalf of the staff to you and your family and many many wishes  for a Happy New Year!

 

Submitted by: Cindy Shelley

Keeping it Calm for the Holidays

Holidays can sometimes cause more stress than actual cheer. We get so caught up in trying to make this a special time for our children, that sometimes we overdo it. Some of the things we tend to go overboard with are tiring shopping excursions, infinite parties, sugary treats, and mountains of toys, gadgets, and clothes!  Remember, sometimes less is more. Young children can only handle so much that's new and exciting without a meltdown occurring.

 

1.  Try to keep their daily routine as normal as possible...they need their sleep and well balanced diet.

 

2.  Pick 1 or 2 holiday events as to which to go, and savor each experience as a family. Maybe try a new volunteer or charitable activity to show your children giving in ways you could never explain.

 

3.  Finally, plan ahead for some quiet family time. Create a spirit of togetherness and experience the peaceful feelings of the holidays.  Playing games as a family, reading books together or building legos are just a few ideas.

 

 

Stitching it Up With Room 3

Hello from Room 5

This past month our class has been discussing Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. 

Ms. Klingel gave a great presentation on The First Thanksgiving.  She brought in many native american items that she has collected over the years.  The children are able to take them to a work rug and try on native american jewerly, moccasins, and leather garments.

We've been practing our songs for Grandparents / Special Friends Day too.  Ask your child to sing some of our Thanksgiving songs adn finger plays.



Gobble, Gobble
A turkey is a funny bird
His head goes wobble, wobble.
He knows just one word--
Gobble, gobble, gobble!

Do the Turkey Hop

Do the turkey hop,

Do the turkey run,

Do the turkey gobble.

Now flap your wings like the turkeys do,

Then run from the farmer before he catches you!

 

 

Thanksgiving Time

Thanksgiving time is here

Let's clap our hands and give a cheer

for food and friends and family--

Thanksgiving time is here!

Submitted by: Donna Rockafellow

Geography Explosion in Room 3

The geography curriculum in a Montessori Early Childhood classroom allows the child to see the world in an ever expanding way. The child begins to become aware of physical differences on our planet through work with the land and water forms.



Land Forms: Island & Lake

 

The sandpaper globe shows the child that the Earth is made up of land and water. Then the painted globe shows the seven continents.

 



 

The children manipulate the wooden puzzle maps of; the world, each of the continents, and the United States. In doing so they learn the shapes and sizes of the different countries and states and then eventually the names associated with them.

 

The children can use the puzzle maps as a guide when making their own maps, by tracing and coloring them. 





 



 

 





 All this hands-on experience helps the children understand just how large our globe is. As they begin to learn about different cultures around the world they will hopefully embrace it's wonderful diversity.

 

Submitted by: Lindsay Turner

Welcoming Peace

Each school year brings with it a wonderful variety of holidays, celebrations and traditions from a world of cultures.  At The Montessori Academy we take pride in having more than 25 different countries represented in our community and this rich diversity gives us the ideal opportunity to create awareness and embrace the value holidays holds for each one of us. Families are encouraged to share their culture and traditions in the classrooms and at the end of the school year our celebrations culminate into the International Festival – a special time set aside for sampling foods, wearing native costumes and engaging in activities which highlight traditions from around the world.

 

While we know that holidays help us to honor our heritages and establish a shared bond among groups of people, we also know that the excitement that surrounds them can often distract and create a sense internal chaos especially in the young child.  In a Montessori classroom, though the excitement of the holidays is acknowledged, there is intentional restraint from generating any additional excitement for the children and perpetuating fantasy.  Halloween costumes are not worn, Santa doesn’t visit and the Easter Bunny doesn’t deliver baskets with chocolate eggs. In our classrooms it is important for us to keep our day-to-day routines stable, thereby offering the children a place of calm and peace – a respite to feel centered away from the hustle and bustle that assaults them from every direction.

At this time when excitement for the holidays increases with each passing day, please join with us as one school community to work together to keep The Montessori Academy a place of welcome peace for our students.

Submitted by: Deborah Drendall, Head of School

Soccer Shots Week #5

Catalogs are going home in folders and totes today.  This is provided to TMA families as a resource for children's gifts.  Many of the teachers have compiled wish lists and they are attached to your orange order form.

All orders are due Friday, November 9.

Books & Burgers

What:  Fundraiser 

When:  Friday, Oct 26

Where: Five Guys & Barnes & Noble (University Park Mall)

A percentage of all sales that day come back to school! ANYONE can participate!

See special codes below:

FIVE GUYS - Just tell them you are with TMA

 

BARNES & NOBLES: Either provide B&N coupon

(found on website, in weekly memo or at front desk)

OR 

for online sales, use code 10906824.

(online promotion extended to Oct. 31)

 

Don't forget to pick up your Scrip at the front office before you head over.

It provides the school an additional percentage!

Dad's Night

 

 

Self Portraits

Yesterday the afternoon Kindergarteners in room 3 had the opportunity to read the book People by Peter Spier.  This books talks about all of the different types of people that live on the earth.  Following the story, the children sat down looking at a mirror and drew self portraits of themselves.

Outdoor Environment