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Practical Life

Moving Through Fall and Winter

Moving Through Fall and Winter

Moving Through Fall and Winter Moving Through Fall and Winter.  Summertime, and the livin’ is easy… when all of your child’s energy can be spent running around the playground. How to get all of that all-important movement, however, when it’s dark and cold by the time school lets out?It is …

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In Praise of the Puddle

In Praise of the Puddle

In Praise of the Puddle In Praise of the Puddle. This week, we take a break from the Communication Series to consider some of the most wonderful educational materials that Mother Nature provides our children. If, like me, you live in the temperate zone of the Northern hemisphere, it’s time to face the …

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Polish Up Your Polishing Activities!

The Quest for All-Natural Shoe Polish It began with a phone call from a teacher, as so many Montessori Services research and development adventures do. She asked if we knew of a wholly non-toxic alternative to the commercial shoe polish teachers had been using in their activity sets for years. …

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Bring the Montessori Lunch Program Back

What could be more meaningful to a young child’s developing independence than mastering the skills required to meet a fundamental human need? Though the details of individual trainings and specific school structures may differ, teachers invariably set up their lunch programs to meet two key goals: fostering the children’s independence …

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Cooking with Children in the Montessori Classroom

Whether it is slicing bananas or hard-boiled eggs, chopping vegetables, or cracking walnuts, children love to prepare and eat food. I’ll never forget the “egg yolk-between-teeth” smile I’d see when a child completed the egg-slicing activity! Of course, serving food to their friends is an important aspect and one in …

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Practical Life in the Garden

Spring has sprung – it’s time to start growing things! Though lessons in all parts of the curriculum can apply to the spring season of growth, we’ll focus on the practical life activities of growing plants, caring for the garden, and enjoying the results. The possibilities are endless but depend …

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Tools in the Practical Life Area

Only the rare primary Montessori classroom has a work bench or woodworking tools in the Practical Life area. Some teachers who consider themselves “not handy” are unsure about teaching a skill that they do not feel accomplished in. Others may avoid introducing these activities because of a lack of space …

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Sewing and Weaving in the Classroom

As the new school year approaches, you undoubtedly are thinking of ways to rejuvenate some of your “tried and true” exercises, and create some new activities for those returning children who are still perfecting their basic physical movements. If you have not included sewing and weaving in the Practical Life …

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Scissors Skills for Children

We all know how young children love cutting with scissors, sometimes even cutting hair, clothing, and other important items. That’s one of the reasons why, in the Montessori primary classroom, we acquaint young children with the proper use of scissors and help them develop basic cutting skills. Preparing the Hand …

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Let Your Children Help in the Kitchen

When children come to a Montessori school, they are delighted to be able to do all those kitchen tasks that are sometimes deemed “too dangerous” for them at home. The Montessori curriculum is unique among preschools because making snacks, serving food, eating, and cleaning up are all everyday learning activities. …

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