Montessori West

Montessori Schools of Fremont offers a program of education for children based on the highly regarded Montessori Method. We strive to continually create an enriching and fun environment where children love to learn and spontaneously practice care and...

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Preschool Behavior Strategies

From her earliest research, Maria Montessoriworked to bring order into disorder, and sought to educate the unteachable. She recognized many behavioral problems in young children as being a lack of purpose or the freedom to make choices. She looked at behavioral issues as symptoms rather than problems, and she worked to treat the underlying cause, which was often boredom or frustration. For Maria…

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Preschool Valentine Crafts

Preschool is a great time to get into crafting because kids start focusing better and developing important motor skills like folding, sorting, and drawing straight lines. This Valentine’s Day, take advantage of the season and create some fun, festive crafting opportunities for your preschooler. Here are a few of our favorite Valentine’s Day crafts for little hands:

Wreath of Rainbow Hearts

Cuttin…

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Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet

Where keeping internet access under lock and key was once a possible way to protect children online, the emergence of smartphones has limited that approach dramatically. There are still things you can do to keep children safe on the internet, ranging from communicating the dangers with your children to installing parental controls which limit access to questionable sites.

Parental Controls

There are software apps available for both computers and phones which limit access based on content and safety. Many of these apps come with specific locations blocked, and provide parents with the ability to add more. As a stop-gap method, parental controls can be with your child even when you are not able to be. Contact your internet service provider to find out whether they have parental controls which will work on all devices in the home.

Stranger Danger

Some aspects of the online world are the same as in the real world. We always have to be on the lookout for bad people, and avoid them as much as possible. Teaching children the dangers of strangers offering gift or surprises is important online and off, along with giving specific instructions on how children should deal with strangers. Make sure that keeping you involved is part of the plan.

Monitor Devices

Not only is it a good idea to put monitoring software on your child’s phone, it is also a great practice to go through their phone periodically, scanning for malware or questionable contacts. Keep in mind that children are able to pickup on new technology very quickly, and keep the passwords you use on your children’s phone private - children who know the passwords will use them.

Limit Usage

Try to impress your children the importance of curtailing their internet usage. For young children, it is easy to impose hours when supervision will be available, but you need to have those constraints in place before your children get older and more curious about what you are preventing them from knowing. In addition to creating limits and weeding out forbidden websites, it is also a good idea to keep your children informed about the dangers they could face, and how to react to them.

Teach Internet Etiquette

As your children are growing up with technology, it is important that they understand the rules of polite behavior online. This includes the fact that messages sent cannot be unsent, bullying is frowned upon, and everyone is entitled to have their own opinions even when we don’t agree with them. By teaching children to be more responsible online citizens, we can create a better internet for future generations.

Keeping your children safe online can be challenging, but there are tools and services at your disposal to make the job a little easier. There is no substitute for direct adult supervision, but you can still make a child’s browsing experience safer with a little effort and some software applications.

The Montessori School of Newark teaches both children and parents tips to be safe both inside and outside of school, and specifically, when interacting with technology and the internet. To learn more about the Montessori Method, schedule a tour and contact us today.

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George Washington: Learning about our First President

George Washington: Learning about our First President

George Washington was a very important man. His birthday is honored in February, and this is a good time to learn more about the first President of our country. Already surrounded in legend, we owe it to our nation’s heritage to keep Washington’s legacy alive and remind each new generation what the man stood for.

The Declaration of Independence

Although he agreed with the Declaration of…

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Preschool Craft: Making a Kaleidoscope

A kaleidoscope is a wonderful way to enjoy learning about the properties of light and vision. Preschoolers will require assistance on some steps, but should be allowed to do as much as they wish. To speed up the process, an adult can make all necessary cuts and the inner lens ahead of time. Allow appropriate drying time for glue steps.

Tools and Materials Scissors Aluminum foil Hammer and nail…

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Benefits to using Storytelling to Teach your Preschooler

Storytelling has been an important instructional tool since before the invention of writing. In many cultures, histories and life lessons are still verbally handed down from one generation to the next. The benefits of storytelling for preschoolers are many, including some aspects you may not have previously considered.

Because “You” Matter

Storytelling can be enhanced using using general pronouns…

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Cold day?  Fun Indoor Preschool Games!

Despite all your winter clothing, hats, mittens, and boots, some days are just too cold to be outdoors. Spending another cold day indoors may leave your preschooler feeling restless. Interacting with different indoor preschool games will help chase away the boredoms.

Fun Indoor Games for Your Preschooler

Fun preschool games are a great way to spend a cold wintry afternoon indoors. Along with keeping your child entertained, your preschooler will enhance large and fine motor skills.

Indoor Bowling

Set up empty plastic bottles or cups in a triangle formation resembling bowling pins in an alley. Use masking tape to place a line on the floor that your preschooler must stand behind to bowl. Using a small foam or rubber ball and roll towards the pins to see how many you can knock over with one roll.

Indoor Obstacle Course

Setting up an indoor obstacle course has endless possibilities for your preschooler to enjoy.

Using masking tape, create a balance beam on the floor.

Tape off different squares for jumping from one to the next.

Use a foam ball and basket for a hoop.

Set up chairs with a small blanket to crawl under.

Do jumping jacks, hopping, or run in place.

For added fun, you can set a timer to see if your preschooler can beat the record.

Freeze

Preschoolers love to dance and move around. Using a cd player or the radio, encourage your preschooler to dance to the music. Either shut the music off or say freeze. Your preschooler needs to stop moving and stand like a statue. The funnier the freeze position, the better the laughs.

Balloons

Brightly colored balloons are always a fun addition to a boring day. Consider these easy balloon games for your preschooler.

Don’t Touch the Floor: Using your hands to bat the balloon, do not allow it to touch the floor. You can use timers to see how long the balloon stays in the air.

Balloon Race: Set up a finish line with masking tape. Using large wooden or metal spoons, race with the smaller balloons. If the balloon falls off the spoon and touches the floor, your preschooler must begin again.

Balloon Volleyball: Set up a net by attaching a towel or small blanket to two chairs. Simply use a balloon to volley back and forth over the net.

Balloon Basketball: Using a laundry basket, encourage your preschooler to toss the balloon to score.

Board Games

Preschool board games or card games will always be classic entertainment. Allow your preschooler to pick their favorite game to play.

Animal Game

Mimicking animals encourage your preschooler’s natural curiosity to learn. Copying an animal can easily be part of an indoor game.

How does a bunny hop?

How does a horse gallop?

How does a turtle crawl?

How does a crab walk?

Spending time indoors on a cold day does not need to be boring. With a little creativity, you and your preschooler can have a memorable day. Montessori education embraces using nature to teach children; however, when it's too cold to go outside, using hands-on play indoors is the next best alternative. Contact the Montessori School of Newark today to see a Montessori preschool class firsthand.

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Teaching your Child Safety Skills

While there’s a lot to be said for hands-on experiences, some lessons simply shouldn’t be learned the “hard way”. When it comes to safety, kids need certain skills and knowledge in order to navigate the world without getting hurt (or worse). And as adults, it’s our responsibility to prepare kids for these dangers they don’t yet understand. That includes arming them with safety skills they can use if we’re not around, just as Montessori educators arm kids with facts, skills, and experiences they can apply outside the classroom.

So, how do you begin to teach your child safety skills – and make sure they stick? Here are some of the most important guidelines to keep in mind as you help your kids learn how to protect themselves.

Try Not to Scare Them

It’s tempting to take an extreme approach when you see little hands approaching a hot stovetop or little feet wandering into a crowd of strangers. After all, you want your kids to understand the severity of these risks, especially as you imagine exactly what could happen if they don’t listen. However, anxiety and fear can make it harder for kids to develop the confidence they need to assert themselves and keep themselves safe. Remember: you can enforce absolute rules (such as “don’t cross the street without looking” or “don’t go near the oven”) without giving your kids detailed reasons. Repeat these rules frequently and firmly. Your kids will accept and apply them instead of getting flustered and frightened when they encounter threats.

Play Games to Increase Awareness

If kids don’t see or recognize a threat, they won’t know how to protect themselves. Because safety is impossible without awareness, kids need to learn how to pay attention to their environment so that they’re better at spotting anything out of the ordinary and escaping if necessary. Fortunately, building this skill is as easy as playing games together! A simple game of “I Spy” in a crowded restaurant or store will challenge your kids to pick up on details and notice the people and objects around them. You might even try fun “fire drill” experiments like wearing blindfolds and guiding one another through the house so that you all know the layout and exit routes no matter what.

Set a Good Example of Safety Skills

Of course, one of the best ways to teach a child any skill is to demonstrate it. If you want your kids to make safe, smart choices as they grow up, lead by example and make safe choices in your daily life. Do you take a flashlight with you on your afternoon walk? Do you wait until you reach your destination to make a call? Explain what you’re doing and why, and your kids will take note. If they see you ignoring safety rules that you expect them to obey, they may start to doubt the importance of other safety rules later.

The Montessori Method, as taught at the Montessori Children's House, encourages children to explore on their own, but with the guidance of an older leader, such as an older student or adult. With this approach, students are able to learn through hands on experiences vs. reading about it in a book. Contact us today for more information about our unique approach to building critical life skills.

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Five Holiday Books to Read this Month

What new adventures will your kids have this winter? As long as they have books, they could find themselves anywhere from a snowy forest to a magical train bound for the North Pole. Every season is full of new reasons to crack open a book, but the end of the year inspires some of the most heartwarming and memorable children’s literature. Here are five of our favorite recommendations for little…

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Importance of Setting a Sleep Routine for your Child and How it Effects their Learning

Research demonstrated the importance of sleep on education decades ago, and the link between a rested child and their overall performance at school continues to be confirmed today. A lack of sleep, or just not resting while they sleep, effects everything from how well your child will perform during the day, but also how well he will be able to retain lessons, or simply behave in the classroom.

How…

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How Technology Impacts Preschool

Technology has become an inseparable part of our lives. And because it has become so pervasive, parents have begun to question the impacts it may have on young children. Regardless of what your personal stance may be, technology is here to stay, and it has a tremendous impact on students of all ages.

Necessity of Basic Computer Skills

Basic computer skills are becoming a necessity - at school, at home, and everywhere in between. Research, while still relatively new in this field, indicates that having access to computers and other technology for a limited time each week serves to improve some skills in preschool children, while it has little effect on other areas of development. Even so, encouraging familiarity with basic computer skills is seen as a beneficial step in preparing children for later educational curriculums.

Concerns with Technology and Young Children

There are definitely some concerns about over-exposure of young children to technology. For one thing, spending more time using a computer or smartphone is actually taking time away from other, more direct developmental activities. For this reason, it may be best to put limits on preschool activities involving technology, including limiting the time spent using technology at home and at school. Another solution is to provide more focused guidance for children using technology, helping them learn to make the most out of technology rather than becoming enamored in pursuits with little to no positive gain, including social networks.

Technology and Child Engagement

It is important to recognize that using technology does not replace other forms of learning and development. Instead, technology should encourage and reinforce those other activities. For example, worksheets for learning math are better suited to the physical classroom, while technology is more appropriate for open-ended exploration of ideas and concepts. Another example would be using technology to record and notate physical experiences, rather than attempting to replace activities with software applications. The early years are best suited to individual development than to mass involvement with technology.

Balancing Technology, Development, and Activity

As technology becomes more pervasive, new types of software and developmental tools are being created. For example, technology can be used in tandem with developmental activities, but it must share the job. Reading along with someone will always be better than using screen readers, for instance. Puzzles and other mentally developmental activities are ideal for technology, so long as the technology does not replace other developmental practices.

Technology is inescapable in our society, but it needs to be managed by student guides, parents, and other authoritative entities. In the preschool classroom, guides should help students direct their use of technology to specific areas of education and development. At home, parents should also take a part in limiting technological exposure, such as managing the time spent watching television, and supervising the content and activities children use technology for.

The teachers in the preschool program at the Montessori School in Newark understand the technology plays a role in everyone's lives, including its youngest students. During the school day, children are encouraged to explore on their own, which can be translated when into using different forms of technology. Contact us today to tour our preschool program.

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Parents and their Middle School Montessori Child - what are the roles?

Montessori education is a process for a better educational experience. Student guides focus on helping children achieve educational goals instead of learning strict curriculum content. This creates an ongoing experience for the child which extends beyond the classroom into all facets of their daily lives. When parents take a supporting role in the process, children are better able to seamlessly transition between home and school performance.

Benefits of Parental Involvement

There is a great deal of research which supports the notion of parental involvement at all levels of childhood education. Children are better prepared for classroom studies, and that translates into increased achievement and higher graduation rates. The important concept is that parents are often the first and most important role model for children, making involvement a critical part of development and learning.

Support and Encouragement

Support means far more than simply paying for a child’s tuition. It also means providing your child with encouragement to try, and understanding when studies are difficult. This is a major part of the Montessori instructor's goal, but it should also be a fundamental part of the home environment as well. Parents should show an interest in the subjects their children are studying, and take the time to not only talk about those studies, but to participate in what the students are learning.

Partnering with Educators

When parents and educators form a united front, children perceive education differently. Curiosity and inquisitiveness come naturally, but it is up to children’s role models to keep the excitement going. Parents can take an active role by providing the tools and atmosphere to pursue subject matter at home, from learning to cook (chemistry), to helping children grow plants or take care of pets (biology). To do this, you could establish a method of reproducing as much of the classroom environment as possible within the home, including making the same tools and resources available.

Learning Occurs at Different Speeds

Children learn at their own pace, and the Montessori environment encourages students to do so. Too often, a child is hampered by limitations on when and how they can apply their time. One example that parents can easily adopt is to give their middle school children the freedom to spend as much time as they need to investigate subjects and activities.

The Relationship Between Play and Education

Along the same lines, many forms of play are indistinguishable from types of study. Something as enjoyable as building and flying a kite provides middle school children with an opportunity to learn mechanical skills, understand scientific processes and absorb concepts such as spatial dynamics. If a child is playing, they are learning, so encourage and help direct your children to follow their interests in a positive and informative way.

When the whole family learns together, everyone benefits. Show an interest in the subjects your child enjoys, and play an active role in experiencing new things. You can learn from your children’s studies as they learn from your experience. If you are looking for ways to get more involved in your middle school Montessori child's life, consult the teachers and staff at the Montessori School of Flagstaff Cedar Campus. If you haven't visited our school, we invite you to do so to see the Montessori Method firsthand.

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Giving Back this Holiday Season

Giving Back during the Holiday Season is the Greatest Gift You Can Give

The holiday season is as much a magical and giving time as it is a bustling, hustling busy time. During the season, you should take a step back and remember all those who are important in your life. Take some time to teach your child holiday gift giving that can become new traditions for both of you. Show your child how the…

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Showing your Middle Schooler the Importance of Voting

Our democracy is powerful, but it is also fragile. Voting is a critical step in exercising the will of the people, and there are numerous reasons why every citizen should vote. For a middle school student, introducing the rules of our society, including the purpose of government, laws, and voting, is crucial for young adult development. In order to become a functioning citizen, the students must first learn how to participate.

Citizen Education for Civic Competency

Learning to be a good citizen is important. Children should understand how the voting process works, and how to make informed decisions regarding their local, state, and national governments. Voting is how the people’s voice is demonstrated, and children who understand the power of the vote will be more likely to participate in the process when they are older.

Community Involvement

Children are the future, and what we teach them about their civic duties today is how they will manage their community when they are older. Voting plays a large part of affecting the local government, and gaining the services best suited to the community. Middle school children who are taught to look at both sides of the issues will be better able to achieve positive results through voting. Learning the methods of American civics ensures that tomorrow’s citizens know and understand what their duties will be as adults.

Learning to Use Democracy

There is more to voting than casting a ballot. Informed citizens are able to weigh the issues, looking at the best and worst traits of the candidates and local ballots. They know what petitions are for, and how to initiate one. Our Democracy puts a lot of power into the hands of the people, but only well-informed students become educated adults who can put that power into use.

Civics Class Projects

Learning the electoral process can be fun as well as instructional. Voting for a class government helps children see how candidates establish a platform of promises and goals. The project can include everything from choosing candidates to creating pamphlets and other campaign resources. When regular elections come around, the class could vote on those as well, to give them more understanding of the processes.

The Montessori method puts a lot of focus on helping children mature into respectable adults. Learning to vote is a small part of that process, but it is regarded as a critical evolution from citizenship being equated to behavior, to understanding that being a good citizen involves participating in the process of electing officials and creating laws. Contact us today to schedule a tour of the Montessori School of Flagstaff Cedar Campus' middle school.

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Montessori School: Benefits of a Mixed-Age Class

Among the innovative benefits of the Montessori classroom, mixed-age classes have proven their usefulness. Because the Montessori method puts a strong emphasis on personal and social responsibility, mixing ages in the classroom contributes to the well-rounded curriculum.

Naturally Mixing Ages

The montessori classroom aims to create a family-like group of children. Since your neighborhood includes children of various ages, the idea is that doing so in the classroom provides a more natural setting. Many of the activities are appropriate to children of different ages and study focus, allowing student interaction in many ways.

Social Interaction

Historically, older children help out with younger ones, and a mixed aged classroom is no different. This has the dual benefits of helping older children gain self-respect and helps the younger ones learn while allowing the instructor to interact with children who may need a little more guidance. As an added bonus, children enjoy learning by watching, and in a mixed age group, they are better able to gain insights from the example of older kids. For example, the older children may teach younger ones to play an educational game, or reinforce classroom etiquette and manners.

Enables Pace-Based Learning

In the traditional classroom, children who need a little more time to learn a particular subject may be somewhat stigmatized. In a mixed age class, the child simply keeps working at the problem until they can move on, and those who catch on quickly can either assist those who need help or move on to new projects. The provides a morale boost for children needing extra help, as well as encouraging the class to interact with one another.

Encouraging Personal Responsibility

The little kids tend to look up to older ones, even going so far as to emulate their behavior. In a traditional fixed age class, the example of older children is absent, and children must learn by repeated instruction rather than picking up behavior from their older peers. Montessori classrooms tend to be well-behaved, owing in part to the instruction of the older kids.

Everything in a Montessori classroom is designed around children, including mixing the ages of the students. Being looked up to builds self esteem in the older kids, and little kids are comfortable with taking cues and friendly instruction from older kids. The benefits for children go in both directions, and the teachers benefit from a classroom which runs more smoothly and provides them with the time necessary to devote to children who need it most. Schedule a visit of Montessori Children's House today to see a mixed age class in person and see how beneficial it is for all students.

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Four Behavior Strategies to Try with your Preschooler

Preschoolers are at an exciting age. They are growing by leaps and bounds, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, that also often means they are taking an interest in testing their limits with you and the other adults in their lives.

Don't let preschool behavioral challenges get you down! Most of them can be avoided by using a few simple strategies.

Set them up for success.

Most behavioral issues occur when kids are tired and/or hungry. Therefore it's important to set them up for success by making sure their basic needs are met. This means setting nap and bedtime schedules and sticking to them, providing meals and snacks, and making sure they'll get plenty of sleep if you know an upcoming change in routine is going to overstimulate them. When those changes in routine do happen, make sure you compensate with earlier bedtimes, extra or longer naps, and unscheduled snacks to prevent them from getting overtired or "hangry."

Establish a routine.

Kids like a routine they can count on, especially preschoolers. Transitions are another source for behavioral issues with preschoolers, so knowing that after lunch comes nap, after nap comes a snack, and so on, can ease the anxiety of transitions. Knowing that they'll have another chance at an activity after lunch or the next day can also help kids put it away when it's time. Routines can also help achieve a specific goal since they always know what to expect, such as winding down at bedtime.

Offer positive reinforcement.

Preschoolers may be testing limits, but they also like to please. Positive reinforcement also has the added benefit of helping young children identify what they should be doing, which is more important than what they shouldn't. Make a sticker chart, plan outings together as a reward, or offer a special treat. Even just thanking or praising your child for good behavior can make an impression.

Use natural consequences.

Even when you do everything right, sometimes you still see bad behavior from your child. That doesn't mean you're a bad parent or your child is a bad kid; it's just a part of them growing up. Rather than yelling a lot, spanking, or engaging in another anger-based punishment, try to stay calm and implement natural or logical consequences. This means that the consequence should make sense based on what the misbehavior was. For instance, instead of using time out, have your child help you clean up the crayon they colored all over the wall.

Raising a preschooler is fun, but can also be frustrating at times. Some behavioral challenges are normal and healthy, as your preschooler explores his place in the world. To find out more about the kinds of strategies we use in our Montessori classrooms to encourage good behavior, and how you can implement some of the same ideas at home, come tour the Montessori School in Newark today.

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Importance of Play-Based Learning

It is becoming more and more common for traditional education programs to put more focus on academic, instructed learning. At the same time, research is adding up which says that play is an important part of early education. In the Montessori classroom, play-based learning has always been important, viewing child-centered activities as a vital component in early childhood development. In addition…

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