By Lynnette Brock & John Siraj-Blatchford, SchemaPlay This photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CCBY-NC “One of the greatest mistakes of our day is to think of movement by itself as something apart from the higher functions… Mental development must be connected with movement and be dependent on it.  It is vital that educational … Continue reading How do we learn things?

Barbara Isaacs, May 2021 Many of you already know that I am a huge fan of Philippa Perry’s writing. I turn to The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did) for its generous spirit, and recognition that being a parent is a life’s undertaking.  It can … Continue reading Conditions for Good Mental Health: Reflections and Inspirations from Philippa Perry’s Book

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

In her foreword to Maria Montessori Speaks to Parents – A selection of Articles, Paula Polk Lillard reflects on her own Montessori journey and also on Montessori’s ideas for a new type of education which advocates and celebrates the child’s capacity for self-formation, agency, solidarity and justice. She draws our attention to the spiritual nature … Continue reading “Stand by…”

Introducing the work of Annie Davy “It does not need much in terms of material ’stuff’ to ignite children’s capacity to learn, but it needs your everything to ‘tend the flame’ and build a fire in the hearts and minds of young children – a resilient fire of enthusiasm for learning and confidence to have … Continue reading “The Universe is full of magical things”

This week, we are hosting Nancy Stewart, Project Lead of Birth to 5 Matters, new non-statutory guidance being developed in response to the government’s reforms to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in England. Join us on Tuesday 9 March at 19.00 (UTC). Register here. But why does Birth to 5 Matter? This week's blog … Continue reading Why Birth to 5 Matters

When Tammy Oesting of ClassrooMechanics introduced the term “Mirrors and Windows and Sliding Doors” in the webinar which she led for Montessori Musings in the Autumn of 2020, I was very inspired by this analogy and felt it fitted so comfortably within my understanding of Montessori principles.  So with Wendelien’s help by finding further references … Continue reading Mirrors and Windows

Chapters 4, 7 and 8 This is the clearest endorsement of play by Montessori I have come across recently and makes me wonder how we got to the more general attitude of negation of play in Montessori settings.  So it is useful to follow Montessori’s somewhat more accessible use of language when speaking to parents, … Continue reading Maria Montessori Speaks to Parents