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[cosmicnissa]

How does mindfulness and Montessori Philosophy compliment each other?

Mindfulness is a practice of being present in the moment. Some accomplish this through meditation. Others focus on their breathing. One could also observe every sensation their body experiences or the natural environment around them. When I think of mindfulness and Montessori, I reflect on how one does “a work”. There is such intentionality in every movement and focused concentration of the…

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[cosmicnissa]

Parenting Tip: Create a Space for Open Dialogue

Often, parents hope that their children will learn from the mistakes they made, so their children do not repeat the same mistakes. Sometimes they make hard-line rules based on preventing these mistakes, without sharing their experiences due to their own embarrassment or unwillingness to show their children their own flaws, thus maintaining a perfect parent persona. I believe there is a better…

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[cosmicnissa]

Guiding Six Year Olds

Chapter 1: The Six-Year-Old Confronted with the Cosmic Plan As I jump back into Montessori Philosophy reading blog, I decided to start with To Educate the Human Potential. Six year olds are intrigued by nature and can use their imagination to learn lessons about earth and our existence. One thing that is difficult in this age of media and entertainment is so much exposure to stimulation where…

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[cosmicnissa]

Montessori Approach to Parenting Adult Children

I have reached a stage in my life where my children are grown. Regardless of hardships they faced as young people they have come out as independent, freethinking people, who want to make a positive change in the world. I couldn’t ask for more! “Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by the humanity through the child.” If we raise children to be lifelong…

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[cosmicnissa]

Am I good?

“Rewards and punishments, to speak frankly, are the desk of the soul, that is, a means of enslaving a child’s spirit, and better suited to provoke than to prevent deformities.” Maria Montessori

Students will ask for my judgement or approval regarding their art, appearance, and behavior. My goal is for students to develop the ability to look for themselves, making their own evaluation. So my…

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[cosmicnissa]

Journey Back to the Classroom

I spent the last ten years without the title: Montessori Teacher. Those that know me, know that it is rare to have an in depth conversation with me without the subject turning to Montessori Philosophy and the value it has had for me, not only when I was a teacher but in the way I desire to treat others.

My most recent job adventure was a sales position. I went to call on a couple of my friends…

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[cosmicnissa]

In our apartments starlings nest in dryer vents and are viewed as a pests.  Although the best solution would be to insure that the vents are cleaned out before spring time and blocked somehow to prevent nesting, baby birds are often removed in inhumane ways either taking out the nest and laying it on the ground or blowing the nest and babies out with a blower.

My husband, Joe, saw the fate of the baby birds and begged for alternative solutions.  He saw that little baby birds, even starling, should have a better chance than being blown out and left to die.  The maintenance people gave him four little pink baby birds.  Joe took on the task of raising the birds to set them free.

The babies were so tiny and so needy.  There is no way they would have survived without our help.  We got to work researching and finding out how to feed them and we were determined them get through their first few weeks of life, so they could survive on their own.

The first week was intense with feedings every 20 minutes for about 12 hours a day.  They were very messy eaters. When it was time for feeding, Joe would say “PEEP” to encourage them to open their mouths.  With such an intense feeding schedule, the whole family had to pitch in to help feed the little babies. We tried not to handle them too much, but before they had feathers the feedings were so messy, we had to wash them.

For the first few weeks they were in a shoe box and we would keep the lid closed except during feeding time.  Once I was playing the piano while the birds were resting in their nest box and I heard how excited the birds would get  when I would play high notes.  I realized that they probably needed to hear their bird song.  So I starting playing a couple different starling song YouTube videos everyday for them so they could learn their own bird songs.

Once the birds grew out of bird formula and began jumping up on the side of their box, we had to rearrange accommodations so they could learn more movement and start learning to fly.  Joe ended up converting a portion of our garage into a large enclosure for them to explore safely.   At this time we started adding freeze dry crickets and chicken cat-food to their diet of bird formula and having water out for them. We were surprised at how long it took for them to learn to eat on their own.  We were a little worried that they would never gain this necessary independence; however, we finally realized that other birds about their age outside were still in their nests and they were still babies.

Once the birds were getting close to 7 weeks old they started exhibiting good signs of independence.  They did not show too attachment to Joe, but more eagerness to explore  and they were now eating on their own.  We decided it was time for release.  We took them to a remote area away from the apartments, we opened the box and they all flew away.

At least now they have a chance and they are strong enough to survive on their own.

                  Our family saved baby starlings, who where destined to die... In our apartments starlings nest in dryer vents and are viewed as a pests.  Although the best solution would be to insure that the vents are cleaned out before spring time and blocked somehow to prevent nesting, baby birds are often removed in inhumane ways either taking out the nest and laying it on the ground or blowing the nest and babies out with a blower.

[cosmicnissa]

Here’s a memorial tribute to my sweet birds! They are at the Rainbow Bridge. The first two are Sam and Joker. Nikki is on the top right. Fritz is on the blue towel on the bottom right.

I adopted Sam at age 15. He was a little whistler. He could whistle like a siren, say “pretty bird” and loved head rubs. Sam died at the old age of 22. He passed April 15, 2012. I really miss him!

A man I worked with told me about a bird breeder in Weston, Ohio. That’s where Joker came from. Joker hatched in April 2006. I remember the first time I met the clutch that she came from. Joker was dancing around. I told Mr. Church, the breeder, I wanted the “dancing bird”. Joker ended up being female, but I still wanted her to be Joker. She loved head rubs, dancing, and her octopus toy. Sadly enough, Joker passed over the Rainbow Bridge on October 26, 2014.

Fritz came to stay with me for awhile because an acquaintance was moving. He was a talker and whistler like Sam. He loved bathing in his water bowl and calling himself a “pretty bird”. I ended up keeping Fritz because the owner no longer wanted him. He was a big boy. I called him my little football player. He loved perching on me. Fritz stayed with me for 9 months before passing over the bridge in August 2010.

Nikki was my brother-in-law’s little girl. Nikki loved to fly around a lot and perch at the top of my Christmas tree. I ended up keeping Nikki because my brother-in-law didn’t think she was getting the attention she deserved. It was very sweet of him to give her to me! Nikki was very shy, but she always came to me for cuddling. Heartache struck in February 2010 when Nikki was diagnosed with lymphoma and had to be put to sleep.

Rest in peace sweet Sam, Joker, Nikki and Fritz

. I will see you at the bridge someday.

mama Janell Scott

Tribute to Sam, Joker, Nikki and Fritz Here's a memorial tribute to my sweet birds! They are at the Rainbow Bridge. The first two are Sam and Joker.

[cosmicnissa]

Figaro's Finale

Figaro’s Finale

After cleaning the chickens this morning, I discovered that my male cockatiel, Figaro, had passed during the night. I found him in his usual place—facing Lemon’s cage—while pressed up against the side of his special cage (see photo).

I rescued Figaro almost five years ago. He had cataracts, severe arthritis, an overgrown beak, clogged nostrils, and a nasty parrot disease called psittacosis. He…

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[cosmicnissa]

Flicka (1992-2002)

Flicka was the most affectionate parrot I’ve ever lived with. If I ever took a nap on the couch, she would settle down on my neck and nap with me. She never made a sound. One time she wouldn’t settle on my neck and kept trying to get into my clothes. All of a sudden there was something warm in my palm. An EGG! I was thrilled!

The night she died it was also in my hands. I stroked her and told her…

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[cosmicnissa]

Listen to Birdie Lullaby

Listen to Birdie Lullaby

I wrote this song to honor Peanut (2985-2015). When Peanut was still alive, I would actually sing this song to her and she would tilt her head to the side and listen intently.

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Birdie Lullaby by Nissa Newton

Oh Baby Bird, stick around a while. There’s still so much to learn and you help me smile. Through the sun and the…

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[cosmicnissa]

Bathtime for Peanut

When I was in 20’s, Peanut and I lived together on our own for a couple years in a studio apartment.  During this time she was about 12 years old. I would take bath’s with the bathroom door open and Peanut would fly into the bath with me.  It became part of the routine.  She would hear the shower or bathwater running and perk up with excitement. I would hear her feathers beating as she took off…

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[cosmicnissa]

“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” Maria Montessori

“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” Maria Montessori

As a Montessorian, when I see a child or newborn baby I see possibility.  All hope for the future lays in the child.  Maria saw children as the way for peace in the world.  They are the hope of the future.  If we do not help children learn to see themselves as possibility and instead limit them to a narrow path avoid of self expression, we are also limiting the potential of the world.

Much is…

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[cosmicnissa]

Enjoy Every Moment

As animals depart from our lives, our hearts can be racked with pain so do deep we consider never taking on a new animal relationship, not wanting to feel the same pain again.  To be alive is experiencing the full range of our emotions. To deprive ourselves of life experiences in apprehension of the pain instead of the possible joy, limits our experience of living.

I am still morning the loss of…

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[cosmicnissa]

Professional Petting Bird When Peanut was no longer able to fly due to her faulty landing gear, she took on a new area of work and became a Professional Petting Bird. 

[cosmicnissa]

Mysterious Typing

One day I went to work and left Peanut out. It was a small studio and it was just Peanut and I.  She had a perch set up by a sink and would often spend her day arguing with her nemesis in the mirror.  When I returned Peanut was in my computer area and the computer was on with typing on the screen that read something like, “fasghdi$#|^”.   To this day, I figure she was trying to tell me something…

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[cosmicnissa]

Not working at a Montessori School, but I am still a Montessorian

Not working at a Montessori School, but I am still a Montessorian

As I worked at different Montessori schools, one question always was in the back of my mind.  Why do the adults not treat each other with the same respect that we give to children?

After Montessori education, I went on to get my MBA.  During my business studies I thought about Montessori philosophy more and more as a way I would want to do business as a business leader.  I imagined a work…

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