Blue Sky School

We are excited to announce that Blue Sky School has relaunched as ✨Bright Montessori✨. We would love to continue to connect with you, sharing inspiring updates and posts about:

✅ Mastery based learning
✅ Mindfulness tools
✅ Intentional and harmonious community creation
✅ Self-directed education in a mixed age peer group
✅ Creating a culture of gratitude, respect and mutual empowerment.

To remain connected, please visit our new page: fb.me/brightmontessori.org.uk and like / follow us.

Bright Montessori Bright Montessori offers mastery based learning together with mindfulness tools to create intentional and harmonious community, providing a self-directed education in a mixed age peer group, within a culture of gratitude, respect and mutual empowerment.

“How can we relate with one another at our Montessori to create a ‘win-win world’ for everyone?” Teacher James asked.

After a beautiful discussion, our children collaborated to create a mind map. Drawing these emojis, A (aged 6) looked at me with a huge grin and said, "At Montessori, we name our feelings and that helps us to be happy again."

At Bright Montessori, the teacher offers the child tools to navigate life in an empowered way, supporting them to understand emotional states so they can better relate to themselves, others and our environment with peace and care. We teach them to understand emotions, relationships and their mind, through mindfulness, emotion coaching and loving guidance from a patient teacher. We do not use reward and punishment as a means to control the child, rather offering them the gift of self-expression, the strength to be relaxed and at ease in all situations. This is Montessori

"The media today will tell you its Blue Monday..... This may be the case for some, but it doesn't have to be. The term was created as a media event... any day may be a blue day for someone; we all have good and not so good days and they can happen at any time.

So to counteract any low feelings try to focus on the positives. Find 3 things you are grateful for ... take time to reflect on them. This can bring a smile, a sense of happiness and feeling fulfilled and positive.

January is filled with many special things, bright sunny days and lengthening daylight, the lovely contrast of sharp, clean air outside and warm beds at home and the promise of spring maybe in seeing some snowdrops, .... So embrace what each moment brings and find your 3 things you are grateful for.....

Being grateful can help with managing stress and build resilience. Scientific studies show that gratitude supports happiness. I have found that gratefulness and kindness bring me happiness.

wishing you a positive end of January...."

- Sarah Olley, Montessori Centre International

What does Blue Monday mean for our mental health? Find out about the Blue Monday myth and why mental health should be prioritised every day of the year.

Freedom to be outside is essential for healthy development of the child. This offers them the freedom to take risk, the freedom to climb, the freedom to enjoy imaginative role play, the freedom to laugh and to socialise with their friends in a kind and nurturing environment. Freedom for the child to choose where they’re working, outside or inside, is essential to the Montessori method.

At Bright Montessori we see the value of being close to nature, our outside environment an extension of the classroom environment, the vastness of our world rich with potential to evoke a sense of curiosity and wonder within the child.

Season's Greetings and Gratitude from Bright Montessori - https://mailchi.mp/ac8b95a4b781/seasons-greetings-and-gratitude-from-bright-montessori

Mornings!✨🎢✨🌈✨💥✨ I was thinking this morning about all the parents in the world waking up and getting their children off to school. I wonder how many of us would love an easeful, connected, enjoyable and loving start to the day, one where everyone is suitably fed, dressed, bag packed, teeth and hair brushed and out the door on time, following a happy goodbye hug/kiss? I know that's what I'd love, and it doesn't always go that way. How is it for you?

What has really supported Alby (age 5) lately is this chart he created. The pictures along the top are: getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, drinking smoothie, making lunch and packing bag, with a tick box row for each day. I love this because he is leading on it. I don't need to be a constant reminder of what comes next, which allows us more space for us to just be together. I can ask in a relaxed manner (even when I don't feel so relaxed!), "how's your chart going?"

He leaves the house content and is pleased to have completed all his tasks, which is confirmed by a row of ticks. ✨✅✨

After being reminded not to play with her food, Willow was told it is fine to 'play' with food when preparing and presenting it, but not while we are eating together. This was the result. Lunch today, prepared by Willow (age 7).