Westport Montessori

When a Montessori program is genuinely Montessori, you can see it in the details — the way the room is set up, the materials on the shelves, and how a Guide moves through the space.

There are five core elements that define authentic Montessori, and knowing what they are makes it a lot easier to tell the difference when you're touring.

Read the full blog to learn more. https://westportmontessori.com/blog/

Happy Earth Day!
"The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the earth."
-Maria M Montessori
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Did you know Montessori classrooms are designed to have three different ages in the same room — on purpose?

The three-year age span means younger children learn by watching older peers, and older children build real understanding by helping. It's one of those choices that looks unconventional but makes a quiet, meaningful difference in how kids develop patience and confidence.

Read the blog for easy ways to try this at home. https://westportmontessori.com/blog/

Something specific to ask when you tour a Montessori school: how long is the morning work cycle?

In a genuine Montessori program, children get a two to three hour uninterrupted block of time each morning. That window is how deep concentration actually develops — kids need time to settle in before real focus begins.

If the morning is frequently broken up with group activities or transitions, it's worth asking why.

Read the blog for simple ideas you can use this week. https://westportmontessori.com/blog/

Here are a few Practical Life Lessons that we suggest to practice at home:
1.Wash hands
2.Pour a drink
3. Put on shoes and socks
4. Set the table
5. Sorting clothes
These skills help to build independence, concentration, coordination, and confidence by engaging children in purposeful, real-world tasks. Children learn they are capable of caring for themselves, which boosts self-esteem.

It's Spring Photo time!!!
Sign Up sheets are outside each class. The theme this Spring is Enchanted Bloom. There will be a tent, a flower crown, flowers, ivy, a small ladder, a watering can and other little Spring items.

How do you manage Daylight Savings Time?
some adjust their clocks a couple of days before and some just go with the flow.
Here is the Montessori approach to Daylight Savings. Maintain consistent, predictable routines to help children adjust to time changes smoothly. To manage the "spring forward" shift, gradually adjust bedtimes by 10–15 minutes earlier in the days leading up to it. Key strategies include keeping the established bedtime routine, using dim lighting, and allowing extra time for independence
I hope this helps!

This is the Week of the Child!
Montessori Education Week celebrates the life and work of Dr. Maria Montessori. It highlights the unique, child-centered approach, including mixed-age classrooms, independence, hands-on learning, and a focus on peace education to foster a lifelong love of learning. Here are a few ideas to help you get started

https://themontessorinotebook.com/montessori-activities-for-2-years

https://www.freeandunfettered.com/montessori-shelf-activities-for-4-year-olds/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EZWpwTmPas

Authentic Montessori programs are built around trained teachers mixed-age classrooms and long uninterrupted work periods. These elements work together to support focus independence and meaningful learning throughout the day. Read the full blog to learn more. https://westportmontessori.com/blog/

I love your happy side, your sad side,
your silly side, your mad side…
I love you through and through"
-from the book, I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak