by Danielle Hines “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”–Franklin D. Roosevelt This week was mid-term elections and it gave us all a wonderful opportunity to teach the children about civility and honoring our civic duty as Americans. But with …
Creating a Montessori Playroom
by Danielle Hines How much is too much stuff? As we enter the holiday season (yes, it’s coming!), it is a wonderful time to reevaluate our homes and all the collections of legos, board games, TV character figurines, and tablet apps. We know it is extremely hard to limit the things in our household in regards to things your children love or …
Our Favorite Parenting Books
written by Danielle Hines, Lead Toddler Teacher Here at Tuckahoe Montessori School, we pride ourselves on being readily available sources for our parents. Along with years of experience working with children, we keep our Parent Library stocked full of resources that we have read and use in our classrooms. These books cover many topics from toilet training to the …
Transitioning to School: The Montessori Way
by Danielle Hines, Lead Toddler Teacher “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”–Maria Montessori Those long, summer days are coming to an end and schedules are beginning to look more consistent. Children crave consistency. Maria Montessori stressed the importance of routine when developing young minds, but it is hard to have a consistent …
A New Home For Tuckahoe Montessori School
The next chapter in the history of Tuckahoe Montessori School is about to begin! With the start of the 2017-18 school year, we will open our doors at 6818 West Grace Street, welcoming TMS students and their families to a beautiful, wooded, and centrally-located campus just two miles from our current location. Our new home will allow us to expand our …
In Praise of Shelves
Parents who are new to Montessori classrooms often remark on the beauty of the space, noting the order and the arrangement that facilitates independence for even our youngest students. Many are seeking methods of bringing some elements of the Montessori classroom into their own home routines, and our first suggestion is often the simple addition of low, easily accessible shelves …
Teatime: Grace and Courtesy for the Very Young
Our annual Mother’s Day Tea hosted by the Toddler Program is one of the highlights of the TMS Calendar. Mothers and their young children gather in a beautiful space to spend time in one another’s company. The enjoyment for adults and children is always so remarkable, and is, delightfully, replicable in the home. Teatime with a toddler — it’s a simple …
A Toddler Activity as We Look Forward to Fall!
Contributed by Shelby Driskill Over the last year, we’ve mentioned the wonderful Montessori Guide videos several times and now we’re happy to share another with you. This video features bead stringing in a toddler classroom, providing viewers with a glimpse of the beautiful concentration that can lead to enormous satisfaction. One facet of bead stringing that might be overlooked is …
Flower Arranging With Children: Inspiration and Resources
Arranging flowers is a traditional Montessori classroom activity that places emphasis on the care of the classroom environment. The careful selection and placing of flowers in a beautiful container is a favorite among TMS Primary students and is a pleasure for our entire community. For parents who might like to share flower arranging with their children, or who might consider …