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Every parent knows that toys are a necessary part of childhood development, but how many toys does a child really need? If you were to survey most parents, you are bound to hear a war-story or two about tripping over toys in the middle of the night. While painful, this is simply the result of toy bins inevitably filling up as children age and mature from their earlier toys. With less space and more clutter, parents can find their homes riddled with toy obstacles, that can sometimes feel placed w …

Children love puzzles, games, and really anything they have to figure out. Colourful and intriguing, the Trinomial Cube is a particular favourite within the Montessori environment. Children see it as a game and a challenge, so they’re having fun while simultaneously shifting the way they conceptualize mathematics through spatial positioning. Once unhinged, the cube reveals over twenty colourful prisms that can be moved and stacked outside and inside the box. This cube's name comes from the …

Kids love to play -- especially with a new toy. But did you know toys can be more than a fun way for your child to pass the time? They can also be educational. Montessori toys are great for children of all ages because they help them develop their problem solving and motor skills.Montessori toys stimulate the learning process by encouraging children to experiment. They also encourage your child to be independent and pique your little one's curiosity.Montessori ToysThe Montessori Method of educat …

During Zonia Baber’s time, in the 1900s, geography was viewed more as a means of colonisation than about understanding different cultures. Baber’s work revolved around transforming this mindset so geography education could become meaningful and worthwhile for students to understand the different cultures. Here’s how geography education has changed: By the 18th to the 19th century Around this time, geography was a feminised branch of science as it appealed to the American values o …

Montessori shelves are a staple of Montessori classrooms. Shelves have Montessori teaching materials displayed on them, facilitating a hands-on, interactive approach to learning where children engage in activities that are of specific interest them. Here is how to create themed Montessori shelves.Understanding Montessori ShelvesIf you are familiar with the Montessori classroom, you know that every classroom features shelves with various teaching materials on them. Here are some additional pieces …

The Montessori classroom has a unique design and atmosphere; walk into the Montessori classroom and you will find shelves filled with learning materials and uniquely defined spaces for the students. The Montessori classroom encourages choice, allowing children to build independence in a calm environment. With this in mind, here is how to set up a Montessori classroom at home, with Montessori products and academic practices. Clearly Defined Spaces for Each Curriculum Area The Montessori classr …

Sensorial toys are used to develop and refine a child’s five senses. Maria Montessori believed that the child learns (and comes to understand) his or her environment through their senses. As such, it is important for children to refine their senses, because this is how they understand their very world and take in information. Sensorial toys are also designed to allow a child to discriminate among the different senses so that they learn to become logical and perceptive people. Montessori called c …

Maria Montessori outlined four stages of growth, also called the four planes of development. The four stages begin at birth and extend to adulthood; together they make up a holistic look at the process of development and include social, cognitive, moral, and biological changes. Each stage lasts for six years, but  Montessori also acknowledged that each stage was not meant to be rigid; these are not necessarily linear stages but more like a tide ebbing and flowing. Each stage brings a …

If you have a child enrolled in a Montessori school, you might have heard the phrase “isolation of difficulty” before. It’s a critical term, so it can be helpful to have an understanding of the concept. It’s often poorly misunderstood, or there is some confusion as to what the term actually refers to. A simple online search, for example, will bring up multiple definitions. This blog post will clarify the term and go into some detail about what isolation of difficulty is. Many Montessori pro …

If your child is approaching preschool age, you may be wondering if you should enroll him or her in a Montessori preschool or a traditional preschool. To help you make an informed decision, this blog post will take a look at the differences between the two. Montessori vs. Preschool: What’s The Difference? Montessori and traditional preschools are distinct. They both provide a well-rounded education, but their approaches are different. Montessori, for example, has its own philosophy, teach …