In the Montessori primary classroom, we approach literacy differently than one might expect. We write before we read. Writing is a natural next step from speaking. We highlight the sounds in words, and the Sandpaper →

It’s that time of year. We’re planning how we’ll spend these three hot months. Long days, longer car rides, and the shortest season of the year, it seems. It’s natural to want to ensure children →

In this short, little known, but highly influential and impactful text, Maria Montessori lays out some words of advice for teachers: "Anticipating some of the questions which will certainly be put to me, I shall →

We talk a lot. We say a lot of words, some of them empty and some of them dramatic, some of them casual and some of them heartrending. As adults, we’ve learned to hear the →

Consistency and Routines. Consistency leads to the greatest success. Children thrive with routines. They’re some of our favorite words. While children are still creating self-discipline and an inner sense of order, it’s up to us →

Okay, so, Maria Montessori tells us to “Follow the Child,” right? Children will show us what they need. We pay attention, we watch and look for signs. It’s natural for us to count as we →

When you live and breathe something, day-in-day-out, it’s natural to take it for granted. Not dismissively so, but rather to be unsurprised by it. Is it because of the routine? Much like bandaids might be →

When families are introduced to Montessori, one of the aspects that is often the most surprising, is the mixed-age classrooms. It can be rather dramatic, to see a big six-year-old, working alongside a three-year-old. To →

The work is never finished. Not like laundry, where it feels like the mountain is worn down only to be built back up again, but like a grand and detailed work of art, where closer →

The only aspect of life that is linear is the passing of time. Apart from that, true, deep, daily learning, development, progress is a bit more, shall we say, tumultuous? For adults and for children →

Time is so fluid. We know this. “Time flies when you’re having fun.” “Time heals.” “I don’t have time.” It’s nebulous. Five minutes waiting for an appointment is an eternity, five minutes with a friend →

The way we typically think about learning is by memorizing and recognizing. Our entire public school system is based on this model. Here are the facts, memorize them, and then we'll have a test next →

Success is fluid. How do we qualify Success? Internal satisfaction, external rewards? Feelings of pride and accomplishment, a big bank account and an impressive title? Being relied on by others, a promotion? Personal and professional →

At Baan Dek, we have posters on the walls with lovely quotes. They’re at adult-height, and these words remind us about our intention for being here -- to Help the children. As we’ve noted previously, →

Young children are relentless. They are persistent. They are focused. They absolutely never give up. When we work with young children, it’s not uncommon to hear, “learn something new every day!” Often this is tongue-in-cheek, →