For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes Baan Dek · Episode 117 - What a Difference a Year Makes What a difference a year makes. This is the start of →

This episode is an interview with Rachel and Jamie from the All Things Montessori Podcast Baan Dek · Episode 116 - Interview with All Things Montessori Instagram: @allthingsmontessori Twitter: @allthingsmonti Our theme music is by →

You know that old joke, “Who’s on First?” If you don’t know, I’ll give you a second to google it. Surely you can come up with an example or two of your own in this →

For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes. Baan Dek · Episode 114 - Do As I Do The original title of this post was “how to get your child to →

For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes. Baan Dek · Episode 113 - The Benefits of Process Art Handprints, circles with eyes and long long legs, scribbles and blobs with →

For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes. In the midst of a crisis, or a setback, or a global pandemic, as we’re experiencing right now, it often helps to “look →

For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes. Here are links to resources listed in this episode, an interview with parent and educator Mrs. Bauer. Podcasts: brains on! Wow in the →

For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes. Montessori values collaboration over competition. A casual glance into the Montessori classroom would convey a peaceful space, children using polite language and manners →

For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes. It’s a time of year when many people are traveling. In areas of the world where this time of year is particularly dark →

For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes. This weekend, I had a homeowner adventure. The sink was slow and I didn’t really want to call a plumber. After dinner, I →

For a podcast of this post, listen here or subscribe on iTunes. As fall turns toward winter, the school year settles in, and we prepare for conferences. Students from preschool through high school have been →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. There’s any number of things that are different about the Montessori philosophy when compared to another early childhood →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. Every season is someone’s favorite, and though this one is always a harbinger of winter cold, it’s a →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. It’s the start of the school year, a time fresh with possibility. When we resume school, or when →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. We wish we could protect children from every pain. We want to bundle them up and prevent them →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. All of a sudden, the school year is right around the corner. There’s something really wonderful about the →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. We try really hard to avoid saying “no.” It doesn’t feel good to say or to hear. Many →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. Children, especially young children, ask a million questions. There are memes and tropes and jokes about the questions →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. Recently, we published on the blog a post about Observation, beautifully written by Amanda Boerger. If you haven’t →

Earlier this school year, around the winter holidays, we shared two podcasts and posts about holidays and travel with children. Well, it’s here again -- SUMMER! Some of us look forward to this season with →

Zoe Paul is the incredible mind behind Sage Montessori and Studio Montessori. She shared her story previously in this Spotlight interview. Studio Montessori can also be found here and on Facebook.

It’s natural Earth Day falls on April 22nd. Around the world, it’s a time of change! In the northern hemisphere, we’re starting to see Spring buds emerging, forgotten plants returning, the weather slowly but surely →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. Children’s clothes, puppies, anything with a gnome on it. A list of things that are unanimously considered cute. →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. Montessori and Minimalism so naturally go together. Minimalism is becoming increasingly popular, with "The Life Changing Magic of →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. At Baan Dek, we feel we have a two-fold mandate: Guiding children Supporting families Families have trusted us →

We had a lovely conversation with parents on the podcast who chose to keep their children in Montessori for Kindergarten, about what that decision-making process was like, some observations they've made since having their child →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. Every spring, a new generation of parents makes big decisions about what to do for the upcoming academic year →

For a podcast of this post, scroll to the bottom of this page or subscribe on iTunes. “Do as I say, not as I do” is a phrase that has been around for centuries. Many →

We were delighted to interview Jesse McCarthy of Montessori Education. For the full interview, please subscribe via iTunes or listen here. Jesse is active on Facebook, and Montessori Education can be found here. During the interview, Jesse →

We all have favorite songs, but even the most favorite is a bit tiresome when it’s been on repeat a hundred times. How do we select songs to sing with children? Are there even any →

We were honored to interview Pamela Green of Ananda Montessori on the podcast. For the full interview, please subscribe via iTunes or listen below. Pamela is active on Facebook, and Ananda Montessori can be found here. During the →

Like we discussed in the last episode, Celebrating Holidays with Children, travel is another common theme these next few months. Whether we’re traveling to spend time with family for a special holiday, or traveling to →

It’s the beginning of November, and around the world the next several months are often very busy. There are parties and special occasions, travel near and far, and we thought we’d share a few of →

We had the delight of interviewing Simone Davies of The Montessori Notebook on the podcast. For the full interview, please subscribe via iTunes or listen below. Here are links to books and resources referenced in →

This post is a sequel to Should in Montessori, also available on iTunes. Subscribe to the podcast here. It’s all too easy to stumble into Should. Should is judgmental. Should gets in the way of →

This post is also available as a Podcast. Subscribe on iTunes or scroll to the bottom to listen. We have this idea of “should.” You should be reading by now. You should be doing bigger →

It’s the beginning of the year. Since we have so many new families starting, and since the start of the school year always seems like the perfect time to try something new, to improve systems, →

This post is part of our summer podcast series about Montessori outside school. If you’re just joining in now, we encourage you to check out the previous posts in this series, and to check out →

This post is part of our summer podcast series about Montessori outside school. If you’re just joining in now, we encourage you to check out the previous posts in this series, and to check out →

This post is part of our summer podcast series about Montessori outside school. If you’re just joining in now, we encourage you to check out the previous posts in this series, and to check out →

This summer, we’re looking at ways to incorporate Montessori outside the classroom, on both the blog and on the podcast. In the last weeks, we explored Space and Time, and this time we’re bringing those →

This summer, we’re podcasting and writing about aspects of the Montessori classroom that beautifully translate into the home environment, ways to incorporate Montessori at home, in little or big ways. These are intended to be →

This summer, we’re reminded that Montessori lives outside the walls of the classroom, Montessori is a philosophy, Montessori is a lifestyle. We’re highlighting one way each episode of the podcast (did you know we have →

Attending a Montessori school isn’t always an option. There are many reasons families know about Montessori, but their child isn’t enrolled in a school. Sometimes there isn’t a school in the area, or it’s fully →

“How was your day?” It’s such a common question. It’s perhaps the most timeless of questions, and one we ask of children and partners and anyone we care about. It’s a love question, what happened →

It’s the time of year when we’re making plans. Plans for summer, even if it feels like we’ll never get there, and plans for school for next year, whether it’s college or first time away →

Children surprise us with their opinions. For the first few years, they’re along for the ride, wearing, eating, and doing what we choose for them. A day comes and, out of the blue, they surprise →

Let’s talk about clothing. We all wear it, it’s an expression of our personality, or how we’re feeling today, or simply protection from the elements. So, how do we dress our children? This can be →

We received the most amazing, thought-provoking question on Facebook. Here it is: [quote]How do we teach our kids to help their families and communities more than is absolutely necessary if we aren’t modelling helpfulness by →

This subject is way more fun than the word “chores” connotes, and not just because we put the word “Montessori” in front. Stay with me. Children want to be just like us. It’s the driving →

The Three Levels of Obedience is a Montessori phrase that might not be as common as “Consequence” or “Discipline,” but it’s an important one. It’s also one of those magical words (or phrases, as is →

It’s true, there are no “tests” in Montessori. There are no grades or report cards, no “holding back,” no “skipping ahead.” But this doesn’t mean we don’t care about success. In fact, we care deeply →

Math jokes are pretty common. We make jokes about how bad we are at math, jokes about how useless geometry and algebra are, jokes about how math teachers told us we wouldn’t carry a calculator →

If we were to play a word game, thinking of ways to describe the Montessori classroom, a few words might naturally emerge. Even without knowing what happens in this space, even without the children and →

What is self-discipline? In Montessori, “discipline” is thrown around a lot, but what does it mean? We thought we’d discuss some of these “Montessori Phrases,” rather than simply assuming we’re all on the same page. →

Humans are creative. It’s a creative act to speak, to cook, to dance, to imagine, to create art. Children are particularly creative, since inhibition and worry about the end result haven’t set in yet. Creativity →

We were recently asked, what’s the difference between “Good Job” and “Congratulations?” We were so struck by this fantastic, big question, we also recorded a podcast. Scroll to the bottom of this post, or subscribe →

Gifts are an expression of love. We give gifts and are giddy with anticipation as the receiver is opening it. We are given gifts and feel deeply known and deeply loved. Babies and Children, especially, →

It would be so easy to say, we should never compare. Are there ever times when comparison serves us? Absolutely, though it’s more subtle than we realize. In fact, most of the comparisons we make, →

Communication. It’s what we do, day-in, day-out. We’re communicating whether we intend to or not. It’s vital to the human experience, it’s how we bind ourselves in relationships, it’s how we interact. And it’s complicated. →

The Montessori Classroom can feel transformative, magical, mysterious. This weekend, We recently held a Parent Education Workshop on A Montessori Life, about certain principles and activities which are natural to the Montessori classroom which might →

Here we are again, talking about Motivation. We love how the Montessori classroom instills an internal motivation in children, and we’ve recorded 2 podcasts on this topic to accompany this post, and the last one →

Montessori is the education of the Whole Child. That is, not simply academics, but helping children grow internal skills and qualities which aid them not just in school, but in life. Trends in Education are →

There’s something so promising and full of potential at the start of a new school year. Even after we’re finished with our educational careers, September rolls around and we say goodbye to Summer and we’re →

It can be hard to remember, children are learning everything. Children are learning EVERYTHING. In addition to learning to walk, and to feed themselves, and how to be a friend, they’re learning reality. At some →

It’s almost our job. Help. It’s a natural part of living in a family, of life in community, or classroom life -- we depend on and assist one another. Adult-to-child, helping is one of the →

Children seek out information like it’s their job. And in so many ways, it is. Little Scientists, they experiment all day long, is this how you balance? Where’s my mouth? If I treat my friend →

Math is kind of one of those milestones. Like reading, or walking, or anything else transformative, it’s the opening of a whole new world. It’s another language. It’s a starting point and a culmination of →

Practical Life is the starting point in the Montessori Toddler and Primary Environments. It’s usually where a child begins, perhaps with tidying, or pouring, or sweeping. Why do we have these materials? What is the →

Maria Montessori developed this educational system through lots and lots of observation of young children. She noticed qualities common among children under six, and one of these qualities she called Maximum Effort. As is so →

There are these terms in Montessori Education that are used, but sometimes, we don’t really think about what they mean. “Follow the Child” is one of those. We thought we’d discuss this meaningful phrase in →

Freedom and Discipline are fundamental parts of a Montessori classroom, but they’re tough for a few reasons. We've written about Freedom and Discipline before, and we surely will again. Each day, we learn more deeply →

Lara Jacobs is gifted. She is a wealth of experience, and always happy to share her observations, thoughts, or a helpful hint. She's also always learning. She lives and breathes Montessori, and shared these thoughts →

How do we tend to the empathetic nature of children, the human desire to be in relationship with others, the important social education? Montessori is education of the Whole Child. Social interactions, development of independence, →

Some of the greatest achievements in learning a child will make happen before even stepping foot in a classroom. The foundations of independence, walking, talking, feeding yourself, all happen in those first few years of →

On our last podcast, we talked a little about how important observation is as a tool for adults in determining what a child is ready for, how we can help a child, when we should →

Observation is critical to our role as Montessori Guides. During training, we have lectures and extensive hours about observation. We learn how to observe. It is important for adults to continue honing this skill, to →

We recently held conferences, which are always some of our favorite days. We love sharing how children are doing, all the success and progress we've seen in our time together, what we're looking forward to →

Nearly a decade ago now, when we started to think seriously about building a Montessori school, we decided to reach out to a handful of internationally renown architects. Why not? We chose individuals or organizations →

We work hard to have our actions match our words, all the time. Children learn we are consistent, we mean what we say, we can be trusted. We are worthy of their faith in us. →

We are preparing them not to need us. Similar to the unspoken agreement a parent makes with their baby, yet so very different, when a child enters the classroom, we are making a promise -- →

Sleep is a universal need. Adults, babies, everyone benefits from a good night’s sleep, and studies show we’re not getting enough quality sleep. It’s often an area where parents express concern. We were all up →

Reading is so important. We don't realize we do it all day, every day. That is, until we're somewhere we don't speak the language. Does that say "push," or "pull?" Or, until we're with a →

Winter is always a bit of a surprise. You know it’s coming, it’s always the same time of year, but it always seems like the weather changes overnight. The days are suddenly dark. The Sun →

Birthdays are such a joyous occasion. Party and big celebration, quiet moment of enjoyment, close family sharing a special meal, however you honor this day, it’s so good you’re here. We’re so glad you were →

What do you imagine when you think of a “school?” How about “teacher?” Montessori asks us to put aside some of our expectations about these phrases, even what we expect children to be able to →

A child's parent is their first teacher. We love the children in our care, but there is no love like a parent's love. We work to build a trusting relationship over the years we have →

There are holidays throughout the year. Some require looking up beloved recipes on yellowed cards and hanging of decorations and long car rides. Some you only know about because social media or the Google Doodle →

Frederick Douglass said, "Without a struggle, there can be no progress." But, sometimes, the struggle can be just that -- painful. Arduous. Seemingly unending. Is there anything worse than seeing a loved one struggle? Change →

We all want to help. We are born empathetic into this close-knit community, and that empathy drives us to care for and want to help one another. We want to help other adults, even strangers, →

In this podcast, Charlotte Wood discusses the final aspect of our five Guiding Principles: We Prepare the Environment. The Prepared Environment is a specially curated space for children of a certain age, another word for →

Lately, we've been podcasting about our five Guiding Principles, core values that drive us daily, measures we use to gauge if a thought, conversation, action, perspective is in line with the agreements we make as →

One could argue that our job is communication. We are communicating when we observe a child, notice what they are ready for, and present them with a material. We are constantly communicating with the children, →

Working with children has taught us many things. Perhaps one of the most important is to adopt the mindset that we should learn how to approach everything we do as if for the very first →

When we published our "Culture Matters" piece, we received a lot of great, inspirational feedback. People were curious to learn more about how we work together as a team. They wanted to learn the details. →

We like to think that one of the things that makes Baan Dek great, is that everyone on our team has the opportunity for transformation. Not only professional growth, but also personal growth. As we →

In this Podcast, Mrs. Bauer, guide in our Young Children's Community, and Ms. Wood, our head of community, discuss tips which can aid families into a successful self-toileting experience with their young child. Toileting is →

In Podcast Episode 18, Mrs. Bauer, our guide of our Young Children's Community, and Ms. Wood, our head of community, talk about preparing for Literacy. Does literacy start with learning letters? How early are children →

In this podcast, the leader of our Young Children's Community, Mrs. Bauer, sits down with our head of community, Ms.Wood, to discuss some of the myriad ways you can help your young child prepare for →

In this podcast, Ms. Jones and Ms. Wood chat about transitioning students. Recently, new students have joined us at Baan Dek, and some of our youngest children have moved to their Primary classrooms. Listen here!

Charlotte Wood and Ingrid Geiger chat about some of Ingrid's experiences as a Montessori parent. Enjoy!

We sing a lot of songs at Baan Dek. Some are seasonal or weather-related, others are fun to sing year-round. We put together a few of our favorites in a recording to share with you. →

Recently, Baan Dek underwent the Montessori accreditation process for the Toddler Environment, where Mrs. Bauer is the lead teacher. Baan Dek is now the first and only accredited Toddler program in the state of South →

In this podcast, Mrs. Bauer and Ms. Wood discuss a hot-button topic -- developing tenacity. Listen as they provide a definition, ways the Montessori Classroom helps to develop this important transferrable skill, and how you →

In their second conversation together, Mrs. Bauer and Ms. Wood discuss music with young children. Is music important in early childhood? What kinds of learning happen through music? What kinds of music do children enjoy? →

Mrs. Bauer, Head of the Toddler Community, and Ms. Wood sat down to speak about Early Learning, discussing when learning starts. The conventional thought is that learning begins in school, at age 6, or even →

While we promised to take the Summer off from our podcasts, we just couldn't help ourselves. Bobby George and Charlotte Wood joined forces to discuss, "How to become a Montessori Teacher". They converse about the →

Bobby George and Charlotte Wood enter into a discussion of Maria Montessori and Helen Keller. The podcast centers around a book by Madeline Gins, called Helen Keller or Arakawa, as well as a philosophical conversation →

While we have written about the nature of "work" in Montessori previously, we thought it might be helpful to have a conversation. In this podcast, Charlotte Wood and Bobby George sit down to discuss the →

We receive a lot of questions at Baan Dek on how to implement Montessori at home. In this practical, down-to-earth discussion, Bobby George and Jamie Bauer have a good-spirited conversation on how to create a →

In an extract from a lecture first published in 1947, Maria Montessori lays out her vision for the future of education. At once reflective, dare we say optimistic, the text calls for a transformation in →

In our fifth podcast, The Empathetic Classroom, Bobby George and Charlotte Wood discuss the role "community" plays in Montessori. By "community", of course, they mean many different things. With that said, the discussion centers around →

While Montessori and Froebel share a number of common traits, in particular, their emphasis on the individual needs of each and every child, they radically differ on a wide range of issues. In this podcast, →

In advance of the podcast, we had formulated the direction of our conversation thus. Q: Maria Montessori proposes, in The Secret of Childhood, that the ‘creative urge of life’ is, essentially, love. She has a →