Your child falls apart because you gave them the blue cup instead of the red one. They scream because it’s time to leave the park. They throw themselves on the floor because you cut their →

Every season of childhood asks us to let go of something—a familiar routine, a favorite teacher, a beloved classroom, or simply the comfort of knowing exactly what to expect. As parents, these transitions can feel →

There’s something wonderful about a fresh start. After a full year of settling back into the rhythm of leading Baan Dek, Jamie and I have found ourselves feeling inspired all over again. Inspired by the →

As I step back into my role as Head of School at Baan Dek, I'm filled with both deep gratitude and quiet determination. In many ways, this return feels less like a "comeback" and more →

It's a pretty celebratory time of year! Around the world, religious and secular, national and intimate, there are so many reasons to celebrate. Children are often recipients of gifts, sometimes because it's a special occasion →

Baan Dek · Episode 130 - Montessori Rewards Montessori is known for encouraging intrinsic motivation, rather than external rewards. Studies have shown that external rewards decrease motivation -- if I can get a sticker or →

 Baan Dek · Episode 129 - Setting Children Up For Success There’s a scene from the show Schitt’s Creek that, if you’re familiar with the show, you’ll know from the following four words: fold →

Baan Dek · Episode 128 - Magic Words Words are magic. Toddlers learn that when you combine sounds or gestures in a particular order, adults love it and you get what you want. We’re actually →

 Baan Dek · Episode 127 - "What Did You Do Today?" “What did you do today?” This question has been asked by generations of adults at the end of their child’s day, and the →

Baan Dek · Episode 126 - Speaking For Children As I’m writing this, there’s a baby fussing and I asked his mom, “does he know what he wants?” to which she replied, “no he has →

Baan Dek · Episode 124 - Challenge is Essential If you’ve ever peeked into a Montessori classroom, you’ll see children working at various levels of intensity individually and in small groups. You’ll see children concentrating, →

 Baan Dek · Episode 123 - Reactive to Responsive to Proactive Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “respond rather than react.” There’s a lot of work being done in childcare, parenting, education, and other child-advocacy →

Baan Dek · Episode 125 - Toileting Doesn't Have to be Tough Toileting doesn’t have to be tough. Any new experience is a learning process, sure, but there can be a monster-in-the-closet sense around toileting. →

There’s a tool we use almost constantly in the classroom. In fact, we all use it, all the time! It’s something called a Three Period Lesson, and it’s essentially how we all learn language. There →

Baan Dek · Episode 122 - Montessori & The Olympics The Olympics are coming up, which is one of the few sporting events I watch. I look forward to them, have them set to record, →