In The Absorbent Mind, about the second plane of development Maria Montessori says, “…it is a period of growth unaccompanied by other change. The child is calm and happy. Mentally, he is in a state of health, strength, and assured stability.” There is also a newfound focus on the society, goodness, rules, and social constructs. […]
Normalization period
As the weeks have rapidly passed we have learned more and more about your children. Each child, in very different ways, has opened up to us – some quickly, some slowly – revealing a person, a personality. It is a joy to learn about (your) little humans and the potential they bring to our lives […]
Sensitive period
As every parent knows, it takes only the smallest change to throw a toddler’s day out of whack. A missed nap, a smaller-than-usual breakfast, a visiting relative, a move out of the crib and into a bed are all enough to disturb a child’s natural sense of order and routine. Even something like reading a […]
Greetings Walnut Farm Montessori School Community!
This year has proven to be a challenging and strange time for us here in Northwest Arkansas, and around the world. Walnut Farm has been in existence since 1991 and never before has the school faced anything like this challenge of a pandemic. Through our careful preparations and procedures, and the diligence of our community, […]
Reflections on The New Year
By Heather Gray The New Year is a contemplative time for many people. It is a reminder that, wherever we find ourselves, we may begin anew again and again. Over the holiday break, I found myself reading poetry by John O’Donohue. O’Donohue was an Irish poet and author; he was also a priest who is […]
Reading Aloud to Your Children
By Curriculum Specialist Heather Incao Parents often ask what they can do at home to support their child at school. Always, the first answer to my mind is to read aloud to their children. Read often and to all ages from birth into the teen years. Making time to read aloud to your child […]
Path to Abstraction
By Victoria Gaber Throughout the elementary years, children are following their own internal path towards abstracting concepts of math, language, the sciences, and the rest. The weeks right after the holidays can tend be a time of serious academic growth as the students remember the feeling of focusing on work after a long break […]
The Great Lessons
By Mary Donovan Once children reach Elementary age, they are beginning a new plane of development (ages 6-12). This child is able to have a reasoning mind. At this stage, children are beginning a gradual journey to abstraction and they have a major focus on social relationships. Children in this plane also have a […]
Happy New Year Dear Families!
With the New Year brings the promise of new things. Resolutions are made and we’re off and running into 2020. I would like to propose an addendum to the resolutions list: a plan to simply do better, specifically in this case, to do better by our children. I recently attended a seminar on parenting and […]
Montessori Inspired Checklist For Choosing Toys
By Kendyll Murray LOOK FOR NATURAL MATERIALS Choose toys that are made out of glass, wood, and ceramic. Montessori is about facilitating the child’s connection with nature and too much plastic is an empty experience. Plastic doesn’t smell, taste, or have texture. Natural materials are also less toxic to children. LOOK FOR THINGS […]