The Mini Montessori

After ten incredible years, we closed our doors in May. Thank you for a decade of memories, positivity, and community.

Hello! I haven't posted in a long time, but have suddenly gotten a noticeable increase in enrollment and tour requests so I wanted to pop in. It was a very fun-filled summer with children here for two summer sessions, followed by a big off-grid adventure with my family, then on to lots of classroom prep to reopen our doors tomorrow. I'll be in touch with all interested families shortly, once the dust from the new school year settles! Looking forward to connecting!

Photo of my boys playing in Montana last month for the algorithm.

Enrollment for the 2021-22 school year is currently closed!

Due to returning families and sibling priority, things filled up FAST. While this retention is a wonderful thing and I'm excited to welcome back so many amazing families, I know it can be sad for those who toured. If anything changes and space becomes available, I'll be in touch with the families who've already applied.

I do not anticipate offering any further tours for the coming school year, aside from summer session availability.

For all of you planners who are interested in having your child enroll for the 2022-23 school year, tours will begin this October. Please note that tours will only be held for children who will be between the ages of 18 months and 33 months in August '22, when the school year begins.

This isn’t the first time I’ve shared this and likely won’t be my last. I love when it pops up in my memories. ❤️

I wanted to share this really special picture with everyone... Montessori isn't a thing. It's not a particular toy or a game. While the resources & tools we give our children to use are really important, montessori in & of itself isn't really tangible at all. Montessori is a philosophy. An educational approach. A way of life.

This is my one year old cherub learning how to cut with her new kiddicutter knife. Standing on stool at our kitchen bench. Actually helping me prep for dinner. Was it the fastest way to prep? No. The tidiest? No. Did she get it first go? No. But she did learn. She did engage. She did enjoy. She did feel a sense of pride when the cut the zucchini in half. She did smile when I thanked her for helping me. And she did actually do a real job. Watching little people learn is the most precious gift I think life can offer 😍

After having virtual classes for quite awhile, in-person summer sessions have never felt so good. We're taking precautions to stay as safe as possible while still being together. Classes include only six children, are outdoors only, involve hand washing at regular intervals, temperature checks upon arrival, individual sign in sheets for each family, and we're using personal sensory bins and other play items to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

It's been amazing to be back in the swing of things, and to see the older children showing the ropes to the incoming group. We hope your summer is happy and healthy, too!

It’s important to be mindful of the people we include in our children’s lives - in friendships, in shows, in books, and in toys. Here are some of the ways we’re fostering inclusion in our reading corner.

Some of the books have a direct focus on diversity while other stories include illustrations of people of color. Feel free to get in touch with any questions about them.

Please note: Amazing You is for my own two older boys, with detailed images of bodies. This one is not in my toddler classroom. 😉

"With too much instruction, Lancy says, children miss out on the opportunity to learn how to learn, through self-exploration and observation."

While I don't love its title, I sure love its message.

Turn Your Demanding Child Into a Productive Co-Worker All it takes are a few lessons from global cultures that raise remarkably cooperative and generous kids.

A silver lining of staying home...I finally began to build a website. I just started yesterday so it still needs lots of content added and tweaks made, but it's a start! www.theminimontessori.com

With so many families at home and routines flipped on their head, I've been asked to make Montessori bins for children to continue learning - and stay engaged! - at home. I'll be making three different kits for sale in May:

- A Montessori Starter Kit, including several of our favorite tools that the children adore, along with bowls, trays, pitchers, sensory bin supplies, a natural rug, scrub brushes, etc. ($50)

- Montessori Art, including water colors and fun papers, beads, pipe cleaners, natural play dough and tools, stickers, collage materials, our favorite scissors, etc. ($50)

- Montessori Purists: the Starter Kit, but made with natural materials such as bamboo, ceramic, and glass. ($80)

Each bin will include a guide on how to set up the materials for your children, how to present them, and how to step back and let the children take over from there. Using these principals, your children will gain independence, confidence, and fine motor skills while deepening their ability to concentrate.

Please send me a message if you would like to snag one for your family!