The Young Montessorian

This picture may be blurry but I know where my focus is 😉

Always honored to share with Montessorians about the amazing way our brains develop through relationships, trust, and love. These early years set the tone for our present and future.

It's been almost 8 years since I started my work in sharing about infant mental health within Montessori spaces and it is still as relevant as the day I began. Now, I have more research, training, and resources that continue to expand how I support young children and the adults who serve them.

Excited to move into these discussions with my adult learners at and other Montessori TEPs, as we work to ensure new guides embrace these practices from the beginning of their Montessori journey.

Today's Week of the Young Child is Work Together Wednesday!

Grace and courtesy is a cornerstone of our Montessori mixed-age classrooms! While our philosophy promotes the development of self and autonomy, this is done through the contexts of interdependence and being in community.

This idea of working together also means considering others. In this picture, an older toddler is working with me to check the size of our newest objects in the 'choke tube'. This helps us ensure that the new work is safe for classmates who may still be putting materials in their mouths to explore.

Besides the classroom environment, there are ways Montessorians are working together to serve their communities.

- is actively supporting children in a multitude of settings, making Montessori accessible to families

- has a bilingual Montessori Early Head Start and Home Visiting program in Dallas.

- has created a beautiful, Afrocentric environment to serve their community in New Haven

-.montessori and .school are supporting Black and Brown children and families in Atlanta

We also need our national organizations to work together to advocate for children and families, early childhood education and educators, and policies that support high-quality care. Funding for essential services that benefit young children and their families is being slashed, and the already struggling infrastructure of care is burning.

I would love to see partner with to give us more tools to advocate.

How do you create an environment of collaboration with toddlers? Share with us below!

 

Today's Week of the Young Child is Tasty Tuesday!

Preparing and enjoying food with young children is one of my favorite parts of being a Montessori guide! From the weaning table where infants have their first tastes of solid food to the kitchen tables where toddlers bake bread, appreciation for food and grace and courtesy is abound.

While there is a lot I could say about the developmental benefits and fun to be had when preparing food with toddlers, , , , and do it best!

As someone who has taught parent-child baking classes and done food prep in a busy toddler classroom, one of my favorite tricks is to pre-measure as many ingredients as possible ahead of time. While this does leave with a lot of dishes to wash, it allows even the youngest child the ability to participate independently. As the child's skills develop, having them help you measure out scoops is a great way to support early math skills.

Just like music, food and culture are closely related. Inviting children to taste a variety of foods and spices will expand their palate and appreciate other cultures. Ask your families to share their favorites with you, explore foods from different countries -like Taboon bread from Palestine, and pull out your own favorites.

Here are some ways you may see food presented in a Montessori environment:

- Weaning table where infants sit with one another to have their first meals!

- Roasted veggies snack prep

- Simple banana slicing activity with a real knife! Toddlers can use real things.

- Simple cornbread preparation

- Focaccia Bread set-up on the baking table with a measuring cup for flour

What's your favorite way to cook with toddlers? Share with us below!

Kicking off Week of the Young Child 2025 with Music Monday!

From the songs we sing during routines that offer transition cues to the musical instruments the child explores, music is an integral part of any Montessori infant/toddler environment.

While there is a lot I could say about the importance of music, especially as we see arts programs cut from schools around the country, this isn't my wheelhouse. I am constantly learning from , , and , so give them all a follow.

One of my favorite ways to incorporate music is by having dance parties on rainy or hot days featuring artists from all different styles and cultures!

Ask your families to share one of their favorite songs with you, explore instrumental music from different countries -like the Shebbabeh from Palestine, and pull out your own favorites. Children are cultivating their sense of rhythm and ear, so the more types of music we can share, the better.

Here are some examples of materials you may see in a Montessori environment:

- Basket of assorted musical instruments for an infant to explore. Each one has a different sound, texture, (and taste!)

-Basket of different bells to explore. Besides supporting the development of cause and effect, each one has a different way of grasping and holding while shaking!

- Set of classified objects for naming. These were curated by using accessories from dolls

- Books about music and movement from These particular books are great for toddlers to look at while older first plane children will get more out of the stories and references.

What's your favorite way to incorporate music in your Montessori environment? Share with us below!

Headed to The Montessori Event this week? If so, be sure to stop by Booth 301 to learn more about opportunities for infant and toddler guides, our new Montessori teacher education program (The Institute for ), the work of in Zimbabwe, and spend time chatting with Montessori elders and friends!

Such an exciting event put on by American Montessori Society every year! Hope to see you there!