LEAP International Montessori School, LLC

In a speech titled "Devices Down, Eyes Up, Hands On,” Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, plans to declare that schools “are drowning in tech,” according to an advance copy of her remarks. She will propose an independent research consortium to study the effects of AI and screens on student learning.

Her remarks also include blocking most students from using computers in class until they reach third grade, prohibiting student-facing AI in elementary schools and banning “social companion” chatbots until age 16.

Weingarten’s comments signal that she is a prominent new ally to a fast-growing grassroots movement of parents pushing to scale back screen time in public schools. The effort, which has bipartisan support, arises from concerns that completing classwork on school-issued laptops distracts students, leading to worse grades and social skills.

Read more: nbcnews.to/4vd0jJF

✨ Does Montessori Still Have a Place in Education 100 Years Later?

Absolutely... and perhaps now more than ever.

In a world where children need independence, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and a deep love of learning, Montessori’s century old principles feel surprisingly future ready. 🌱

What Dr. Maria Montessori observed in children in 1907 still holds true today:
⭐ Children learn best through hands on exploration
⭐ They thrive when trusted with responsibility
⭐ They flourish in environments designed for their developmental needs
⭐ They become confident, capable, self motivated learners when given freedom within structure

As education continues to evolve, Montessori isn’t fading, it’s becoming a powerful answer to the challenges modern classrooms face. From early childhood to adolescence, Montessori remains a timeless approach that grows with the child, not around them. 🌍💡

If you’re considering Montessori teacher training, there has never been a more meaningful time to step into this work. The next 100 years of education will need guides who understand how to nurture curiosity, independence, and humanity.

😎🥰

If you’d like to learn more about Gabor Matē’s teachings and books here’s the link. Well worth a visit to the site. https://drgabormate.com

Here's something you can share with families. As the school year comes to a close, many families ask for ideas for continuing to support Montessori learning at home during the summer months.

One simple possibility: a Montessori-inspired patio garden. Many of these are easy to start from seed, to reduce the cost.

The benefits? A few pots of plants can invite observation, responsibility, practical life, care of the environment, cooking, art, and sensory exploration all at once.

Which plants, though? Here are a few suggestions to get started. Maybe you have favorites for this purpose-- we'd love to know what you enjoy bringing to children. (For safety, we included pictures of a few popular plants we love as adults that aren't well-suited for pets or small children.)

Children might, for example:
- cut and arrange zinnias or marigolds
- press flowers for art projects
- make pesto or herb butter with basil
- dry rosemary for cooking or pillow-sachet sewing work
- observe pollinators visiting flowers
- save sunflower seeds for birds
- watch a radish grow surprisingly fast from seed to harvest
- compare textures, scents, roots, leaves, and seeds
- help water, w**d, harvest, and prepare food together
- keep a simple journal together, based on the age of the child

The work does not need to be elaborate to be meaningful. Sometimes, a child watering a plant each morning and noticing what the plant needs is satisfying work-- and perhaps a special memory.

We hope this small resource gives families a few ideas to begin.

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Interested in a short, intensive course in Montessori? Suitable for anyone who works with children, including parents and support staff, MINT offers flexible online and in-person Montessori certificate courses that can be completed in just a few weeks. Learn more, montessori-mint.org/certificate-courses