12/06/2023
Chazlee Myers, Assistant Guide for Young Toddlers
Chazlee began with our school as a substitute and moved quickly into the role as an assistant. Please read her bio below.
Hello! I'm Chazlee, embracing the role of Assistant Guide in the enchanting Young Toddler classroom. A proud graduate of German Studies and Photography from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, I've had the privilege of shaping young minds—from preschools to universities—for over 7 years. Recently, I embarked on a transformative journey through a year-long Fulbright grant, sharing my passion for English and fostering cultural exchange in Italian high schools and universities.
My fascination with Montessori education blossomed during my thesis studies as I delved into Maria Montessori’s theory of the Absorbent Mind, particularly its relation to first and second language acquisition. Reflecting on my own early childhood education shaped by Montessori principles, I find immense joy in witnessing the children of the Guidepost Montessori of Birmingham community explore and acquire language, foster cultural exchange, forge connections between diverse concepts, navigate relationships, and build self-confidence.
12/05/2023
Activity: Pouring water from a pitcher to a glass.
A small pitcher holding just the right amount of liquid is poured into a child-sized glass. We invite the child to pour water (or other liquid) into his or her own glass. Our students do this activity to aid the development of functional independence; to expose the child to real, beautiful implements that he will take pleasure in using; to communicate to the child that he or she is capable, worthy of trust, and worthy of using beautiful things.
12/02/2023
Guide Spotlight - Shannon Terry
My name is Shannon Terry, and I am proud to be the Lead Guide for the Young Toddler classroom at Guidepost Montessori of Birmingham! I attended the University of Kansas and studied Graphic Design and Theatre. I have 10 years' experience working with children, ages birth to five years. I am currently studying to complete my Montessori Teacher Certification with The Prepared Montessorian Institute.
This is my first year at Guidepost Montessori of Birmingham. I enrolled my two children in August 2022 and fell in love with the school and the Montessori philosophy. I was pleased to accept an offer of employment only a few months later. I have a passion for working with our youngest learners. Helping each child progress in all areas of their development is a challenge that I am honored to accept daily. I strive to create a community of learners that nurtures this growth in a positive and fun environment.
11/26/2023
It is Bookfair Week! Stop by room 5 any day Monday 11/27 through Friday 12/1 to browse the book collection. Books have the power to inspire children and take them to places they’ve never gone. What great Christmas gifts! 📚
(We can only take cards and checks as methods of payment.)
11/18/2023
Refer your friend and have them set up an admission vist:
https://www.guidepostmontessori.com/schools/birmingham-al -now/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps&utm_campaign=birmingham
11/15/2023
In preparation for math, with squaring, the decanomial squares is an activity that helps children learn how to discriminate size, shape and color. And.... It is beauitful!
11/14/2023
What are the benefits of learning to scrub a table here at Guidepost Montessori! The child is strengthening the hand muscles in preparation for writing as they grip the brush. As the brush is moved in a circular motion to loosen the dirt, this also develops their core as they work across the table. The child has to concentrate and observe to see when more soap is needed.
11/11/2023
Exploring introduction of fractions!
11/04/2023
Building the alphabet with the moveable alphabet. Children hold each letter in their hands and have the opportunty to explore the orientation of how to lay them out feeling the straight edges and curves of each letter.
10/31/2023
Wishing everyone a safe and fun evening!
10/30/2023
In our Montessori schools, children are encouraged to take part in outdoor practical life such as raking outdoors. How fun!
10/10/2023
Exploring Nesting Dolls in the classroom. Nesting dolls are not only a beautiful part of culture, they are also an incredibly useful teaching tool for exploring visual discrimination, the concepts of order and symmetry, differentiation of size, and developing fine motor skills.
10/06/2023
Why do we have children spooning from one bowl to the next. Scooping, pouring, and transferring of materials builds motor control, more refined movements, and teachers process of order from left to right.
10/04/2023
Great friendships are forming here at Guidepost! Friendships benefit children by creating a sense of belonging and security and reducing stress.
09/29/2023
Flower arranging is a fantastic activity that assists children in developing their ability to discriminate visually and to exercise judgement over size, capacity and process and order.
09/28/2023
The Binomial Cube is introduced to children from around 3.5 years to 4 years old. In these early stages, the purpose of the material is less focused on the complex mathematics behind the material, and rather is to provide a challenge for a child's ability to find patterns and relationships between the blocks. And still math behind this cube amazes us! The cube is composed of eight wooden blocks which fit together in a binomial pattern, representing the cube of two numbers, (a + b), or tens plus units. All the blocks fit into a natural wood box. Each box contains colour coded blocks; One red cube a³, One blue cube b³
09/25/2023
The main purpose of the Bead Cabinet is to help develop children's knowledge about numbers from the concrete to the abstract. By working with the material, children form a strong understanding of number sequencing, as they learn how to skip count by twos, threes, all the way through to tens.
09/21/2023
The moveable alphabet is a box of individual letters that have been cut out so the child can 'move' them around to make up words.
The key purpose of the Moveable Alphabet is to prepare children for writing, reading, and spelling. The child's use of the material progresses from single words, to phrases, and eventually to stories. In this way, the Moveable Alphabet teaches children how to symbolize their own thoughts, and begin to write creatively.
09/21/2023
Hanging beads 1-9 is a way to visually represent number values; making abstract concepts more concrete so that children can better grasp mathematical principles.
09/19/2023
Grandparents Day! Thank you so those that came out to make this day so special!
09/18/2023
Working with the Metal Insets teaches children to develop their pencil grip, refine their fine motor skills, and learn how to draw within an outline, which is the material's control of error. The Metal Insets indirectly allow children to practice concentration and order as they work with, and master, the material.
09/13/2023
Matching Cursive to Print! Why teach cursive? Here are few reasons: Learning to write in cursive is great for young children for three reasons: Every single letter starts on the baseline. The pencil never comes off the paper. Cursive writing prevents letter reversals that we see in print, specifically letters b, d, q, p, f, t, a, and c.
09/13/2023
Our Back to School Bash 2023
09/13/2023
We wanted to send a wonderful, "Thank you" to all of the families that came out to our Back to School Bash! It was so lovely to connect and have an amazing time together.
09/05/2023
Our Back to School Bash is just around the corner we are so excited to see current families and meet new faces! Hope to see you there!
09/04/2023
Did you know that flower arranging helps children develop their gross and fine motor skills? It allows children to practice pouring, cutting, and allows children to explore their creativity.
09/01/2023
We hope to see our current families and meet new families as we welcome the school year with our Back to School Bash. We will be enjoying face painting, balloon art, hairstyling, presentation from your guides, and lots more. We look forward to seeing you there!
08/31/2023
Happy Birthday Maria Montessori! We celebrate your contribution and eternal wisdom everyday.
08/28/2023
Here in the Children's House classroom, the Golden Beads are used to help our students understand unit quantities of tens, hundreds, and thousands.
08/24/2023
Come join the fun at the Back to School Bash. It will also be a lovely opportunity to connect with our new Head of School, Ms. Patti.
Guidepost Montessori at Birmingham
We're a high-fidelity Montessori school located in Birmingham, AL serving children 1 year old through
08/24/2023
Come join us for our Back to School Bash! We welcome all current families, and prospective families.
08/22/2023
Happy Toddler Tuesday! Here at Guidepost Montessori we encourage our children to explore nature! Here you will see a child observing a butterfly wing under a magnifying glass.
08/21/2023
Happy Monday
Here in our Children's House we use letter tracing to strengthen hand writing by helping children recognize the shape of the letter.
08/18/2023
Our "Young Toddler Classroom" is where all the basics of Montessori begins. Here your child will be able to have freedom to move, learn early socializing, and work on their language development, along with working on their fine motor skills. Book a tour with us today!
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