Montessori Childcare: The Importance of a Prepared Environment

Montessori teacher assisting a child with a practical life activity, pouring water with concentration.

The “prepared environment” is Maria Montessori’s concept that the environment can be designed to facilitate maximum independent learning and exploration by the child. In the prepared environment, there is a variety of activity as well as a great deal of movement. A Montessori teacher serves as the preparer and communicator of the environment to the…

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Practical Life Activities

Children practicing self-care skills in a Montessori classroom, learning to dress with button frames.

A Montessori education differs from a traditional daycare in many ways. One of the most important elements of a Montessori curriculum is the use of practical life activities. These activities are things that we do in our daily lives, such as cleaning, sewing, and gardening. Practical life activities serve many different purposes in a Montessori…

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The Benefits of Summer Camp

A child carefully carrying a tray with materials for a Montessori practical life activity.

It’s that time of the year again! With school now closed, many parents find themselves struggling to decide where to place their children. Should we enroll our child in a daycare center for the summer months? Would they benefit more from attending a summer camp program? While a daycare center can be a good option…

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Four Planes of Development in a Montessori School

A child using Montessori movable alphabet to form words and practice reading.

When you walk into a Montessori school for the first time, one of the first things that you may notice is the classroom structure. Unlike a traditional school where the students are grouped together by birth year, where typically whole group learning is based on chronological age, a Montessori environment uses 3-year, mixed-age grouping, where…

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5 Fun Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Houston and Cypress, Texas

Montessori students working on botanical puzzles, identifying parts of a plant.

As one of Houston’s largest suburban communities, Cypress, Texas is full of fun activities for the whole family. Located just a 35-minute drive to downtown Houston, Cypress, Texas is within close range of all the fun that lies in the big city. You’ll also find kid-friendly activities everywhere along the way. Below are just a…

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Montessori Environment at Home: How to Design a Montessori Bedroom for Your Toddler

A child focused on sorting objects by size using Montessori pink tower cubes.

Just like a meticulously designed Montessori classroom can encourage order, independence and self-motivation, so too can a carefully crafted Montessori bedroom. Bringing the Montessori environment into your home not only cultivates your child’s confidence but also serves as a bridge to what your toddler learns at school. Here are some ways that you can implement…

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Teaching Your Child Grace and Courtesy

Children participating in outdoor activities, learning about nature in a Montessori garden.

Good manners are essential in a Montessori education. Along with being respectful towards others, a child who has good manners is more confident and has higher self-esteem. They are also able to develop happier and healthier relationships with others. Here are some ways that you can teach the Montessori manners of grace and courtesy. Setting…

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History of Montessori

A child focused on sorting objects by size using Montessori pink tower cubes.

Many parents considering a Montessori education for their child may wonder about its origins. Some are surprised to learn that the program has been around for over 100 years and was developed by an Italian physician. Also an educator and innovator, Dr. Maria Montessori spent years researching children and how they learn best. Her research…

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Incorporating Montessori Principles into Your Daily Life

Students learning about the solar system using Montessori cosmic education materials.

Montessori is much more than an educational style. It’s a unique way of life that extends beyond the classroom walls. It’s important that parents recognize what a Montessori lifestyle is so that they can connect the gap between home and school. As a Montessori parent, there are several key Montessori principles that you can incorporate…

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