The things that make me different are the things that make me.
A. A. Milne
As educators, we recognise that each child is an individual with the potential for a kind of excellence that is unique to them. And that is what makes Montessori the ideal educational philosophy, as it follows the child and is designed to bring out the best in that potential. Maria Montessori recognised that each child learns at their own pace and in their own way, according to their abilities. Our students bring their unique experiences, personalities, ideas, and strengths into our classrooms, and into our lives.
We not only create safe spaces for our students to learn in – where they are respected and valued, where they feel comfortable expressing themselves and in sharing their ideas and feelings, and where they always feel welcome and included – we incorporate these values into our curriculum and our code of conduct. We teach and model compassion and respect for others regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic status, age, ability, or religious or political beliefs. A strong foundation for a kind and respectful society starts with an education that will “foster both the development of individuality and that of society.” (Montessori, 1972, p. 65).
Part of recognising that we are all connected in life is not only acknowledging our similarities but also acknowledging and embracing our differences. To paraphrase a popular song, if everyone were exactly the same we would most likely soon get tired of each other. At the heart of it all, we celebrate all of the different human beings in our lives who are capable of making a positive impact in this world through the expression of their unique gifts and talents.
Sandra Bosnar-Dale & Isabelle Kunicki
Co-Founders & Directors of The Clover School
Cooking is a practical life skill that will last a lifetime, and can be taught to even very young children. We love to see our toddlers cutting fruits and vegetables and whisking; our primary students are excellent at setting the lunch table and helping to serve; and our older students make a mean soup, using ingredients they have grown and harvested.
So don’t worry about the sharp things. Or the fire. Or the flour coating every surface including your hair! Lisa Tolin, children’s author and Today Show’s Head of Special Projects, will help calm any apprehensions you might have with her article “How to teach your kids to cook — without setting the kitchen on fire.” Let’s get cooking!
GET COOKING WITH THE KIDS
An Indigenous, female-owned company based in the heart of the beautiful Niagara region and traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishnabe people, Lofttan provides gorgeous handmade jewellery with an emphasis on slow fashion and sustainability.
Owner/designer April Mitchell-Boudreau is a Turtle clan Mohawk with roots at Six Nations. She’s passionate about awakening and engaging the creator that lives inside all of us. Lofttan is designed and made in Niagara, using textures and traditional materials like shell, sustainably sourced wood, and semi-precious stones.
LOFTTAN | HANDMADE JEWELLERY
Montessori is a timeless approach to education with a powerful legacy of proven success. For over a century, the Montessori model has equipped children around the world with a distinct academic advantage that lasts a lifetime. We are pleased to share the opportunity to take part in a Montessori Parenting Series, offered through Montessori Thrive.
This series, designed to educate and inspire parents to carry the knowledge of Montessori into their homes, will take place every Wednesday, from January 20th to February 17th, from 8 to 9 PM EST.
Each Wednesday evening will feature guest speakers who are experts in applying Montessori principles to parenting. They will be sharing with you their knowledge and experience in Montessori education, child development, and parenting, and will also answer parent questions live on Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend this exciting parenting series at no cost, as the aim of the series is to spread the wisdom of Montessori philosophy to anyone who wants to learn about it.
Tonight’s event is Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Screen Use for Adolescents with Elizabeth Englander. We look forward to seeing you there for this very timely discussion.
MONTESSORI THRIVE | BULLYING, CYBERBULLYING, AND SCREEN USE FOR ADOLESCENTS
Peace Out Podcast‘s calm and serene kid-sized bedtime stories are a wonderful way to end the day. Chanel Tsang, the Toronto-based creator of Peace Out Podcast, is a fellow Montessorian, family supports practitioner, and yoga guide, and is currently working in a research centre focused on child development and mental health at the University of Toronto.
She created Peace Out Podcast as a resource for parents and educators to promote social-emotional skills and introduce yoga and mindfulness to children aged 5-12. Her podcasts cover a range of topics that children can relate to, with titles such as “Stop Bothering Me“, “Helping Hand“, and “Because I’m Happy“.
“Peace out…and peace within.“
PEACE OUT PODCAST