It has taken us all a while to engage with the Characteristics of Effective Learning; they were included in the original version of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework in 2008 and developed further in the 2012 version of Development Matters, but it was not until recent years, when Ofsted turned their attention to … Continue reading The Characteristics of Effective Learning

At a time when the national statutory framework for the Early Years in England is being revised, Barbara Isaacs reflects on if, and how, this might impact the Montessori Early Years Community. The recent publication of the final version of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the standards that school and childcare providers must meet … Continue reading The Revised Early Years Foundation Stage, September 2021

By Andy Lulka, April 2021 Dr. Montessori had a radically different vision for the role of the adult in the school environment. Within that role, our primary function is this: to observe. Nothing more, nothing less. But what does it mean, to observe? ...the teacher must learn to control [themself] so that the child's spirit … Continue reading The Great Story of Observation