Wow, it's been awhile!

I can't even remember when the last time was I took only a few minutes of my time to up date this blog. So I shall do so now!

In September, my active go getter of a 4 year old head back to The Montessori Family School here in little old Alliston. I will admit that I was concerned about his ability to go to school full days but was over joyed that I wouldn't have to worry so much about child care. Rachel (his lovely teacher) and I agreed that while he may be young for full days, it would be good for him to have more time to focus on his schooling. There were a couple of days in those first weeks that he fell asleep during rest time but he is now totally adjusted and loving it.

The school also gained a couple of new friends, both bigger and smaller then Kade this year. He has been loving teaching the younger friends all the things they need to know about the daily happenings of the school and learning from older students. It has been great to watch my little guy grow as he learns from and teaches others.

We recently had our parent teacher interviews and Rachel had nothing but wonderful things to day about Kade and his abilities. He is spirited little fellow and needs to stay focused! But all in all, he is progressing well.

It has recently be decided that Kade would marry our next door neighbor, Maya, who is a classmate and Rachel's beautiful 5 year old daughter. They are planning to move to China once married and Rachel and I have already decided that we go where they go! Lucky that wouldn't be for many many years.

We have been so blessed with our decision to move to Alliston and enroll Kade in Montessori School. We wouldn't be able to do it with out the support of my mother in law, who is a strong supporter of Montessori Eduction, and my parents who have been great with child care!

Tell me meet again,
Melissa

I would like to introduce.....

Kade's classmates!!!!!

I finally got around to asking the parents of Kade's Classmates if I could put pictures of their children on this blog and they all said yes. This will make my life a little easier because now I can put all kinds of different pictures up not just the ones with Kade in them.

This is a picture from crazy hair day and all of Kade's classmates got dressed up!

Maya is the one in the blue. She is Rachel (in the red) daughter and our next door neighbor. It is so lovely to walk out of our house every morning and hear her little hello!

Lucy is in the front with the pink. Kade has learned a lot of lessons from Lucy how has been in Montessori school for at least 2 years.

Diana is standing behind Lucy, she has just finished her first year at Montessori School but sadly isn't coming back next year. Kade has loved playing with and learning with Diana. Her and Kade are almost the same age and did a lot of things together.

And of course, Rachel, Kade's lovely teacher and our next door neighbor. I can not say enough good things about Rachel. Kade just loves her and we are so lucky to have her in our lives!

Hope everyone has a great Canada Day and a safe weekend,
Melissa

Sleep over fest has begun!

Now that Kade is out of regular school and starting summer school tomorrow, he is going to be having a lot of sleepover and fun days out with family. Last night was the first sleep over and while we missed him, it was nice to have a night to ourselves...not to mention the morning to myself.

I'm sure that all these sleepovers and fun days out will produce a lot of post not related to Montessori education but they will come with great pictures of my beautiful boy.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe summer....and check back soon for more on what kade is going!

Melissa

The School Year is Coming to an End!

The school year is coming to an end at The Montessori Family School but there has been many great memories.

Recently Rachel sent me some wonderful picture, I'm going to spend some time over the next few days to post the pictures and get some information from Kade about the things they have done.

Here a some pictures of Kade doing some of the practical life skills.


Using a knife to cut up veggies (he does this a lot at home and has been since he was about 2 and a half)
Folding laundry (He never does this at home but I would like him too!)


The books I have say that teaching children practical life skills like the ones listed above and others like getting themselves dressed, setting the table for dinner, greeting people and many more allow children to develop a sense of self, enable them to develop new skills and become more independent!

"Lessons in theses skills are intended not only to teach the skill itself, but also to help your child to develop a sense of calmness, concentration, cooperation, self-discipline, and self-reliance" -Tim Seldin

While Kade still really likes having his dad and I help him at home it is really great to know that when he is the big wide world that he can fend for himself. He knows when he needs some water, how to get himself ready for life, and how to treat others with respect!

I am always amazed at how wonderful my kids is! And while try our best at home, I know he has learned so much at school!

Changes have been made!

If you've been to my blog before you will have noticed that there have been some changes!

POPPIES!

Kade was born in the month of August and so I decided to put poppies as the background of the blog. Not only does it look really pretty but it reminds me of Kade.

School is coming to an end and Kade will be doing part time summer school for the month of July. He is excited to stay in school but also to have some more freedom!

I will try to post more often. I've been really busy at work and haven't had much time to post. That and my internet has been acting up!

Hope all is well with you, devoted reader,
Melissa

Montessori School is Everywhere!

I spoke to my mother in law tonight and she told me that she stumbled apon a Montessori School while teaching a workshop this week. Marianne is a professional artist now and does many workshops (she is a great teacher and beautiful artist). While teaching this week she found a Montessori school in the wonderful old building the workshop was in. The teachers asked her if the children could come and see what she was teaching and they made their way up to her classroom.

Marianne is a strong believer in teaching children about art and its history. She came and gave the students at Kade's school a lesson on how to use water colours and is always providing the classroom with more water color paper. Art has been an important part of her life since she was child and Montessori school greatly encourages the teaching of art.

I am always amazed at how much people know about Montessori Education and how interested they are to hear the ways children learn in the Montessori Classroom. Before becoming a parent I gave little thought as to what kind of education I would want for my child and now I probably thinking about it too much. I was joking today with the mother of one of Kade's classmates that we already think of our childrens futures too much. She said, and I happen to agree, that our children need a good start and that Montessori School is the best way to do that.

I count my blessings daily for the beautiful little boy I live with!

my child understands empathy

Last week the Alliston community lost a young talent soul to a train accident. The Blue Frog, where I work, hosted a memorial/band night for him and hundreds of his friends showed up to proclaim their love for him.

I was planning to send Kade to my parents house so I could work overtime but I wanted him close to me. I want to cherish every last moment I have with him and a lose like this one really brings that home. Alex came home early from work and brought him along. I want my child to be exposed to both life and death. To learn that every moment is worth living to its fullest because you never know when it will be your last.

Some would say that a child Kade's age (almost 4) would be to young to understand such things but he would have proved them all wrong last Friday night. Not only was he genuinely upset about the lose of a young man that he never knew but he could empathized with my lose. He held me tight while I cried and wiped my tears.

Kade has always been a sensitive kid but it is moments like that that I know that my child is on a wonderful journey and I'm glad that Montessori School and Rachel Coleman are their to guide him forward.

One more quick note: I aspire to be the type of parent who can rejoice my child's life. Who can "not sweat the small stuff" and allow my child to be everything I know he can be. This lose has taught me so much about the type of parent I want to be. Watching parents mourn their only child with such control and composer has shown me that parenting is more about the life you give your child then the one you want for them. That if you give your child the love they deserve everyday then they will love others and they will live on in others! It's all about love!

Rest in Peace, Patrick!

What a great weekend!

Yes we had a wonderful long weekend and I am truly sorry to be heading to bed and putting it behind us.

Not only did we enjoy hanging out and being together as a family but we also got a lot of work done around the house and got to visit with some lovely people.

On Saturday, Kade's dad Alex decided to climb one of the trees over at The Montessori Family School next door and remove some of the big branches. Alex is an arborist and has been keeping an eye on the trees at school. Finally he had some time to climb it and make some more light for the family garden.

It is wonderful to have such great neighbors! Not only do we have them as Kade's teachers but their daughter is one of Kade's closest friends.

On Sunday we went to a garden center just out side of town and ran into one of Kade's class mates mom! Kade was super excited about seeing her and letting her know all the fun things we did over the weekend.

And today we got to spend time with our favorite Becky's and their wonderful families. We are truly blessed to have not one but two lovely ladies named Becky in our lives and got to see them both today. Jose, Becky, and Tim came to visit and got to the park (and out let mall...thanks for helping me find shoes Becky M) this morning and we met Becky, Zackary and Aiden this evening for dinner.

Busy busy weekend! But much love to go around!

This week, special day with the grandparents, work, Beeton Bee Festival, how Montessori has changed my sons eating habits and so much more! Looking forward to filling you in!

The turkeys go to school!

Today was a special day at the Montessori school....the turkeys came to visit!

Rachel, Kade's teacher, asked my parents (Nunnie and Nonnu) to bring in their baby turkeys that I posted about last week. Kade was really excited to have his grandparents visit and teach his classmates about this new little friends.

My mom thought up a little game for the kids where they each got a color for their wrist and one for the turkey....so they were like little friends. Then they tried to feed the turkeys. They loved that, saying "my turkey is eating from my hand!" So cute.
Below are some more pictures of Kade with the turkeys!

Mexico!

This week at school Kade is learning about Mexico, which is kinda funny because one of my co-workers in leaving to go on vacation in Mexico tomorrow.

It's great that they learn about different cultures and get to become aware of how different people live. So far they have learned about the food and clothing of Mexico, or so Kade tells me.

Yesterday we went shopping for our snack support item, a papaya! I had never bought a papaya before (I'm not a big fan of tropical fruit but Kade is) and it turned out to be a little adventure (mostly because we couldn't find the paper plates that Rachel needed).

I quickly looked up cultural learning in one of the Montessori books my mother-in-law gave called "How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way" by Tim Seldin and here's what he has to say.

"Introducing our children to different cultures helps cultivate their sense of wonder and curiosity as well as dispelling prejudice" (P. 52)

"All of humanity is part of a global family. We share the same needs, and have more things in common then divide us. The differences among us stem from our different cultural ways of meeting these same needs...There is no educational objective more important than to bring our children into full membership of the human family" (P. 52)

I couldn't agree more with both the quotes I provided above! We want to teach our children to embrace different cultures not belittle them. We want them to ask questions about what they don't know or understand not make assumptions. And I am so glad that my son is exposed to such lessons because even though I would love to be the one to teach him, I know I don't have the time to do so.

In his book, Mr. Seldin also provides information about how to teach your children about different cultures in your own home. Here are some of his suggestions, paraphrased by me...

-admit to your child that you are also learning about different cultures and may not be able to answer all of their questions. Be sure to inform yourself about the culture, getting books at your local library and talking to people you know who have visited or lived in the culture you are learning about.

-be engaged yourself, explore along with your child, and be sure that all the information you provide your child is authentic and accurate.

-always speak with respect about the cultures you are learning about! Your child can pick up on your feelings about the lessons.

If you're interested in learning more about Montessori school Mr. Seldin's book is a wonderful starting point. Kade likes the pictures and I enjoy all the good information!

Thanks for reading my blog! I'm really enjoying writing it!

Turkeys!

Today we went to my parents house for Mother's day and to visit with the new turkeys! Needless to say Kade was really excited and wanted to play with them. You can see in the picture above that Kade gave the turkeys all the things he made for them on Mother's Day.
In the picture's below you can see Kade gently playing with them. I was amazed at how good he is with them and how he can calm himself down when he starts to get worked up. Enjoy!

Bike riding with Grandma!

Today was a PA Day at Kade's School so he went yesterday after school to stay at Grandma's house. He has only stayed at Grandma's one other time but he loves it!

They went swimming twice which is a special treat for Kade because Alliston doesn't have an indoor swimming pool so we haven't gone much since last summer. Then they went to get a new bike for him to ride at Grandmas. This is the first time he's really rode a bike that has training wheels but she says he is doing well with it. (See picture above)

Kade's dad wasn't feeling well today so he didn't go to work and was able to pick him up this afternoon. Naturally Kade fell asleep in the car so he is a little bit grumpy now but he had a good day and loves his grandma.

The kettle is ready and we are going to have some family tea.....next post will have the turkeys I promise!

Mother's Day Tea!

Today I went to Kade's School for Mother's Day Tea!

It was so cute!

When I got there he took my scarf and bag and showed me into the class room. Then he served me tea and our snack which was a strawberry short cake with whipped cream and coconut! When I was done he took all our dishes away and cleaned our places.
Then he showed me his pieces of work. He wanted to make stuff for the turkeys my dad is getting this week so he did work that has paper so he can put it in with them.

First he did cutting a line. Then he did the metal insets, where you trace the inside of the metal inset and then draw straight lines inside. He sent me home with a whole bunch of work for the turkeys.
While I was there and Kade was showing me his work, he broke a glass jar! It was an accident but he was quick to admit it and tell Rachel that there was tidying up to be done that wasn't safe for him to do. It is great to know that my child is in an environment where his mistakes are used as a time to teach him lessons about slowing down his actions instead of a punishment!

When it was time to leave he gave me a plant with a pot that he decorated and a card that said

"Dear Mommy,
I love you because you make my breakfasts so yummy and you bring flowers for me.
Love Kade"

These simple gifts speak volumes about Montessori Education. There is a strong emphases on learning about nature and making it a part of children everyday lives. But also, each child is given plenty of one on one time, enough that their teacher can sit with each of them and write a card to each parent. And the baking! Love that!

Observation at the Montessori Family School

Every few months Rachel has times where people can come and observe the goings on at the school. I went last year to see if I thought the school would be a good fit for Kade and I was so impressed!

The kids who I saw everyday playing and yelling and jumping around in the play yard were calm and focused in the classroom. They waited their turns to talk and started and stopped lessons as they saw fit. Their teacher gave them respect and allowed them as much of her attention as they needed without neglecting the other students.

Oh, and the materials! Everything is wood and clean and so organized! Such a lovely experience and now I can visualize everyday while I'm busy at work.

Anyways, here are the dates and times for this month observation.

May 11, 18, and 25 from 9:20 to 10:30.
Please contact Rachel if your interested in sitting in!

a note on color.

Today Kade came home very excited about a new lesson he learned in school... Stamping!

My son loves art. His Grandma is a professional artiest and at the mere age of 9 months he painted his first painting. Needless to say, he comes home several times a week with big beautiful paintings. They are all lovely and he must keep them all (Kade is also a pack rat but more on that another day).

From what I understand, art is a very important part of Montessori Education (or at least at Kade's School) and they are exposed to it on a regular basis. Some times it is as simple as classic Canadian art displayed in the class room or matching cards with original art work on them.

From the research I did in the handful of books I still need to go through, I found that learning about color, as well as the actual act of making art, is an very important lesson. Kade has been talking a lot about color the last few months and often asks his dad and I "if you put this color and this color together, what does it make?"

By giving children only the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) to work with and letting them explore the many colors they can mix for them self, you are teaching your child the science of color. It is easy to think that the more colors you give your child to work with, the more fun they will have, but they are able to create their own fun by creating their own colors.

Also, by allowing your child to explore with color you are teaching them that there are many different shades to the same colors we see every day. How great is that!

Montessori School breaths life into your child's ability to think and grow. It gives them the tools to learn but doesn't hold back on their learning. It is so exciting to see my little person excel in so many ways but also to know that he will always be supported and encouraged to be unique and question.

Check back later in the week when I let you know how my mothers day tea goes....I will take pictures, promise!

Summer Program at The Montessori Family School

Just thought I would let you all know that there is a summer program happening at The Montessori Family School this year. This could be a great way for you to see if your child is a good fit for the school and expose them to a child friendly learning experience. Kade will be in the program too!

It starts June 28th and runs Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8:45 am-1:15 pm until the end of July.

Please feel free to contact the Directress' Rachel Coleman at 705.435.7124 if you want more information about the program or just Montessori Education in general.

I can't remember what I've said in previous posts about Kade's amazing teacher but she is wonderful. Not only do her and her family make great neighbors but she has given Kade so many skills and I know that if I can't be at home teaching him all he needs to know to excel in his life there is no one I would trust more then Rachel to teach him to be a whole and happy person. Montessori is a fabulous program but it really comes down to the teacher to deminstrate to your child all the things they need to learn. Everyone remembers their best teachers and I have never met a teacher as good as Rachel! I feel truly grateful to her for the time and energy she puts into my child!

CRAZY HAIR DAY!

I don't know if this is something that happens at all Montessori School's but today was CRAZY HAIR DAY at Kade's school and we had a lot of fun with it!

Kade wanted to have his hair to stick right up and be blue so that's what we did. We put some hair food gel in his hair and then we used the spray we got after Halloween and are planing to use for his captain plant costume this year. It was great and he was so pleased with himself.

I am hoping to spend some more time with my Montessori books and updating this blog because I really believe that there is a lot for other parents like me to learn about Montessori education.

The end of March Break 2010!

So we are coming to the end of March Break 2010 and I thought I would have had more time to share! I only found out this year that it is traditional for Montessori school to have a 2 week March break which I thought was super cool when Kade started school in the fall, when I wasn't working! When I started working I began to stress about what I would do with him for 2 whole weeks!

It ended up working out well, with Kade's dad taking a few days off and Kade spending a few nights with family but to be honest, I'm glad that it's over! Back to our normal routine.

And Kade is really ready to go back to school. He misses his friends and his lessons and the structure of his day. I think more then anything though, he misses his teacher!

It's good, as a parent, to hear your child say that he really wants to go back to school. To know that he has somewhere safe and wonderful to go where he can grow!

busy week!

So it's been a busy week! I've had little time to do anything especially read, which I had planned to do a lot of this week. My mother in law gave me a stack of Montessori books 2 christmas' ago and I was planning to read, or at least start, some of them so I could get a better understanding of what Montessori has to offer. I mean, I see everyday all the wonderful things Montessori school offers my son. But there is so much theory that I want to but don't yet understand.

The one thing I wanted to say in this post is that my son loves school. Yes, he is lucky enough to share his classroom with 4 lovely ladies (3 under the age 6) but that has very little to do with it. He loves to learn! He comes home and tells us about sand paper sounds. He tells strangers about the pink tower. Montessori gives my 3 year old an outlet to learn like none other. And if I'm going to leave my child in anyone's hands other then family it would only be his teachers!

So here's to a great weekend and a wonderful family! If it wasn't for the ones we love (and yes that does included Kade's school community) our lives would be that much less wonderful!

We are truly blessed!

How lucky we are!

When we moved to Alliston Ontario a year ago we knew no one.

Alliston is a small town with a lot of character and a deep rooted love for potatoes. It has just the right amount of rural for us but I could still access everything I needed on my bike. This move was just as much for us as it was for Kade. At 2 and a half he lacked the social skills most children his age had acquired simply because he didn't have access to his peers. Moving into town gave us the opportunity to meet other youngest and we just so happened to move in right next to the Montessori school.

On the morning of our home inspection we got to meet the neighbors while they played outside in the yard. I asked if they ran a day care from their home and was flabbergasted to hear that it was a Montessori school! I had known that the other Montessori school in town had closed but had heard that one of the teachers had continued the school from her home. What are the odds that we would have moved in beside it!?!

Some many thinks about our move to Alliston seemed fated but none more the moving in next door to the Montessori Family School.

Why Montessori?

It's a great question and one I get asked almost every time I mention that my son goes to Montessori school. For my family, the answer is simple....my mother-in-law!

Let me explain...when I met my mother in law she had recently retired from her life long career as a Montessori school principle. In the '80s she moved from Toronto to a rural community and was unsatisfied with the quality of the schools in the area. She wanted a school that would allow young minds to grow, that would focus on nature and health and provide many different kinds of children with a high quality education. When she didn't find it in her community, she opened her own school and like everything she does, she devoted herself fully to it. Both of her sons went there. And when her children out grow the school she built for them, she stayed. She spent every summer painting every wall, she brought every student into her office to make candles for Christmas, she made her school a home. I was never able to visit but I see it in my partner and know that the years he spent there made him into the person I now love!

When we found out we were pregnant, my mother in law offered to help us pay for Kade's schooling. To her, the years he will spend in Montessori school are more important then any other part of his education and the more I learn about the program, the more I have to agree.

I am learning, along with my son, everything there is to know about Maria Montessori and the schools she designed. The more we learn, the more I want to share with others and that is what I hope this blog will become. My community needs these schools and so does yours! We are just lucky we moved in right next door to Alliston's Montessori school....but more about that tomorrow!