3 Helpful Tips for Following Montessori's Theory On Sleep

Montessori daycare children are especially susceptible to learning and behavior issues related to improper sleep schedules. They can become irritable, have trouble concentrating, or become classroom disruption, and in severe instances, the child may have trouble staying awake during periods of activity. Children need to get enough rest, and these tips will give you some insight into how that can be accomplished.

1. Self-Regulate

Maria Montessori's observations regarding sleep underscored that children's sleep cycles are commonly adjusted for the benefit of adults. This sometimes results in children not getting enough rest, being forced to sleep when they aren't tired, and more. The end result is often a child who is restless, disruptive, or unable to concentrate on tasks. Her recommendation was that children should be allowed to self-regulate their sleep, including having a bed they can enter or exit at will.

      2. Know Your Child

Just as Maria Montessori developed the Montessori Method through careful observation, parents can become more attuned to the patterns of their children by watching them without interference. When your child is tired, she will sleep if permitted to do so, and she will continue her activities when she awakens. You will see patterns developing that help you adjust her sleep schedules to match her natural rest patterns.

      3. Do Not Use Sleep As A Punishment

Forcing Montessori daycare children to go to bed when they aren't tired disrupts their ordinary sleep schedule. Because she understood the importance of a well-rested child, Montessori was very clear that sleep should never be used as a punishment. Using timeouts to address behavior problems isn't an issue, but combining time in bed with the timeout can lead to additional errant behavior rather than solving existing ones.

Parents have busy schedules, but they need to take care not to allow those schedules to interfere with the natural development of their children. Watch and listen to your daycare child. You will quickly learn how her natural rhythms work, and that will allow you to set up a sleep routine that works as well for her as for you.

Montessori Way: Instilling Values Early

Instilling morals and values is one of the focuses of Montessori elementary school education. Children are guided towards appropriate responses to situations, proper social interaction and the importance of honesty and integrity. The process begins in preschool, but it is a continuous process that continues throughout elementary school.

Reminding your Montessori Elementary Child about the Magic of the Holidays

The holiday season is a time of bustling activity at your Montessori elementary school. The seasons are changing, excitement is building and the time is right to remind kids about the magic of the season and why it is important to everyone.

What are the main curricular areas in the elementary level of Montessori?

If you and your child are transitioning from Montessori preschool to Montessori elementary school, you may be wondering what new and exciting lessons and skills await. And for those parents who are new to Montessori elementary, you may be wondering what to expect from this unique method of education. Read on for a brief overview of the curricular areas covered in Montessori elementary and what your child can look forward to.

Ideas for Motivating Your Montessori Reader

Whether you are a Montessori preschool parent planning ahead or your child is already reading and you want to encourage their interest and progress, there are several fun ways to motivate your Montessori reader.

Hands-On Learning in Montessori Preschool

At the heart of Montessori pre-school is the practice of hands-on learning. When you walk into a classroom, you will find children spread throughout the room - at mats on the floor, in small groups at tables, or tending to the classroom pets and plants - all actively engaged in learning. This approach to education acknowledges that children learn best when they can use all their senses and when teachers create an environment that sparks curiosity and encourages exploration. Where traditional classrooms might rely on telling children what they need to know, Montessori schools focus on showing and doing for authentic learning.

Educational Websites for Montessori Elementary Children

The world opens up for Montessori elementary school children, and the discovery does not have to end in the classroom. While there are few websites designed specifically for Montessori students, there are quite a few excellent educational sites which include Montessori-style play-based learning.

Montessori Environment: Redirecting Versus Distracting

Montessori pre-school and elementary school classrooms are carefully prepared to be in sync with the students’ needs and interests, making it a unique space that children can explore as they choose. However, no matter how child-centered a classroom is, there are still bound to be behaviors that challenge or disrupt the space and become an obstacle to all students’ learning. When students exhibit these behaviors, like interrupting the teacher’s presentation or distracting other students during work time, it is the Montessori teacher’s job to address the behavior. Here is a look at two strategies that may also be familiar to any parent who has needed to address the behavior of their young child.

Nurturing Inner Motivation in Montessori Elementary School Children

Unlike traditional public schools, the Montessori elementary school relies on intrinsic motivation to guide children. If this seems unusual to you, think of intrinsic motivation as the thrill of winning or success, and external motivation as working under the threat of consequences. The former comes with its own incentive to achieve even more while the latter has no incentive beyond escaping punishment or empty praise.

Manners and Your Toddler

If you have ever taken a tour of a Montessori elementary school, you were probably impressed by the behavior of the children as they quietly went about their different tasks. The secret is that the Montessori method puts more emphasis on communication and social interdependence, teaching children how to communicate in ways that are acceptable both in the classroom and in the community at large.

Teaching Children to be Big Helpers

One of the key learning outcomes of Montessori pre-school and elementary schools is the independence children gain. Through Montessori education, children are encouraged to become self-taught learners and autonomously pursue their curiosity. A secondary outcome of this cultivated independence is that children get to learn how to be big helpers as a result of feeling confident and capable. Read on to learn three ways the Montessori method teaches children to be helpers by using the right tools, encouraging skill exchange, and practicing care for the environment.

Summer Tips For Parents With Kids Who Get Bored Easily

In the Montessori elementary school, a child’s display of boredom is often a lack of ideas for fun activities. The intent is there but the child is having difficulty processing options to arrive at something to occupy his time and mind, and the same is true of the summertime blues. Interjecting some ideas and guidance will help keep the boredom at bay and encourage your child to be more active and keep his mind busy during those hot summer days.