Excitement as is related to learning is defined as a heightened state of physiological arousal exemplified by an increased heart rate and blood pressure, and higher emotional and attention. What many educators are not as aware of is how excitement can be harnessed to accelerate learning, and how Montessori educators have built-in mechanisms…
Learning by watching others is called observational learning, something every Montessori practitioner experiences every day! Observation Through Millennia People can often learn a lot just by watching others perform a task. In fact, this kind of learning is what has propelled mankind for millennia and is thought to be behind the concept of…
The science behind memory is far more complex than most Montessori training programs can deliver; however, as a Montessori guide, you already employee the essential technique of memory generation! How do Three-part Cards Generate Memories? Have you ever wondered why three-part cards work? One reason is because like flash cards, the cards work…
As an adult immersed in a culture where I couldn’t speak the language, didn’t know how to eat the food, and being reliant on others to take care of most all of my daily needs, I felt like an infant, needing the care and compassion of others to meet my needs. The past…
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” -Jane Howard Just this morning I noticed a colleague posted one of those “Are you introverted?” quizzes on Facebook. You know the kind, one of those posts that…
Twenty-seven years ago, I stepped into a Montessori classroom for the very first time. The five year old boy that I was a nanny for forgot to collect the novel he was writing at school, so I parked my car and followed him inside to collect it from the 1970’s home converted into a school.…
Dear Miss Tammy (for that is the name that generations of your students will remember you by), I know you’re on fire with the fresh burning flame of Montessori that has opened your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your life, and I want to congratulate you on following your instincts and…
Montessori schools attract staff that are committed to respectful interactions with children and yet sometimes those same skills fail to translate into effective communication between adults. School staff climates can be mercurial and depend on several conditions to become healthy and effective, of which communication is at the top of the list! Yet many…
Whether you are half of a co-teaching team or a more traditional lead guide and an assistant, you are subject to the vagaries of working closely with another adult in a high-stakes and often, high-stress position. Additionally, many teachers do not have the autonomy to choose each other, so you are essential working in what…
Every aspect of your school is running smoothly and you have all the resources you need for staff development . . . said no school leader ever. Finding the time and resources to train school staff is an arduous and sometimes thankless job, yet one that I find intriguing. Staff members are schools…