Baan Dek Montessori

How to help children navigate social situations. Schitt's Creek clip https://youtu.be/NywzrUJnmTo Read this on the blog baandek.org/blog/ Follow @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

"What's the magic word?" Except it's not magic. Read this on the blog baandek.org/blog/ Follow @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

If you've ever asked this question, you know the usual answer: "nothing." This episode is for you. A Really Cool Article About Jargon https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-jargon-1691202 Read this on the blog baandek.org/blog/ Follow @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Children need us to speak for them and interpret them, and then suddenly they don't. When I speak about a child, is the message I'm sending in line with my intent? Read this on the blog baandek.org/blog/ Follow @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

This episode references quite a few tools, which are linked in the blog post below. Toileting is an important milestone. How do we help children toward success? Read this on the blog baandek.org/blog/ Follow @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Help is always well-intended. It's not always helpful. The Umbrella Game https://groupgames101.com/the-umbrella-game/ How Does A Caterpillar Turn Into A Butterfly? https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/caterpillar-butterfly-metamorphosis-explainer/ Read this on the blog baandek.org/blog/ Follow @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Behavior is communication. What is my behavior communicating? Mr. Chazz https://www.instagram.com/mrchazz/ conscious.hippie.mama https://www.instagram.com/conscious.hippie.mama/ Mindful Parenting from The Gottman Institute https://www.gottman.com/blog/mindful-parenting-how-to-respond-instead-of-react/ Read this on the blog baandek.org/blog/ Follow @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

The Olympics are coming up, and there are surprising ways they're Montessori. Really?! Really. Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

I don't want to go to school. We've all been there! Spoiler: nothing's wrong. Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Life is full of challenges! Isn't that wonderful?! How do we approach challenges when it's not my challenge, but my child's? Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Respectful, clear communication sure is tricky, especially when we're sabotaging ourselves or sending unknown messages. Isn't it wonderful we'll always get to practice?! Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Isn't this year like any other? Why are things particularly tough this year? Is it just me? Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Happy Birthday, Maria! It's been a wild 150 years, and we're ready for the next 150. Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

This episode is an interview with Rachel and Jamie from the All Things Montessori Podcast https://www.allthingsmontessoripodcast.com/ Instagram: @allthingsmontessori Twitter: @allthingsmonti Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

You might not have heard the Montessori phrase, "Maximum Effort," but you've definitely seen it. It's not children doing things the hard way, or wasting time, or just not being efficient yet, it's a completely different reason for interacting with the world around them. Wiki for "Who's on First?" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who%27s_on_First%3F Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Grace & Courtesy are the “what to do when” and “how to” lessons of the classroom. They’re direct instruction on rules, policy, how to be a human in this space and time. Children will learn anything as long as they’re provided with a clear model, reinforcement, and an opportunity to practice. https://baandek.org/posts/do-as-i-do/ Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

For a text of this podcast, search the title at https://baandek.org/blog/ Process art is about the doing, not the end result. How do we emphasize process art, set logical limits, and give different outlets for creativity? What does process art have to do with developing a growth mindset? Check out a Buddha board here https://www.amazon.com/Original-Buddha-Board-Relaxing-Painting/dp/B0010TEFFQ Stanford researcher Carol Dweck on fixed and growth mindset https://youtu.be/hiiEeMN7vbQ Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

When we're at home with children, do we need special tools or training to do Montessori? Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

There's always a silver lining. Maybe one of the silver linings of social distancing is time! We never seem to have enough of it, what about all those things we put off or avoid due to a lack of time? Read this on the blog https://baandek.org/blog/ Follow us @baandek Get in touch hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Some families choose to avoid technology altogether with children, but if you're interested in using this tool, here are a few resources we recommend. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Many of us are working from home these days. This can be tough, even when there aren't children around, only more so when there are other circumstances beyond our control! In this episode, we chat with the original Ms. Wood -- Mrs. Snyder's Mom! Jan Smith Wood is a former Montessori parent herself, and worked from home while her daughters were in school. She shares her experience here. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Montessori is known favor collaboration over competition. But there IS space in Montessori for competition. In fact, we rely on it! Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

If travel is in your plans, what small things, let's call them heroes, do you have laying around that might make the trip so much easier? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

It's so easy to focus on the skills Montessori "teaches" children, the product, the results. What does Montessori teach? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Conferences are exciting, but they can sometimes feel a little stressful. Do they need to be? Spoiler: NO WAY! Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

You've maybe heard of sound games, or a child identifying their sound rather than their letter. Why? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

The times, they are a changin! All around us are signs the weather is changing, whether it's bare trees and snow already, or maybe pulling out a sweatshirt or wearing shoes instead of socks. Here are five ways to celebrate fall with children of all ages! Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

How can we support the work our children do at school at home? We pulled together five common questions about Montessori at Home. If you have a question that's not covered here (there are about a million!!) be sure to send us a note at hello@baandek.org Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

We wish we could protect children from everything. Since we can't, what can we do? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Our One-Hundredth episode celebrates one of our favorite times of year -- back to school! What are you looking forward to this school year? (even if you're not in school!) Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

"No" is pretty unpleasant. We don't like to hear it, we don't enjoy saying it, it's just, no pun intended, pretty negative. Can we re-frame no? Is it even necessary? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Children ask about a zillion questions. How can we possibly answer them all? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Our task is to Observe without Judgement. We can't imagine judging a child, so can this really be so hard? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Summer is coming! Some of us are thrilled, some are anxious, some are, well, a bit of both. How can we make the most of these next three months? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Zoe Paul of Sage Montessori and Studio Montessori shares her story in this interview. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22nd. What's a Montessori way to participate in a joyful, learning-filled, relationship-building way? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Clothing is necessary, but also a moment for independence and for self-expression. How can we help our children be successful with dressing, and create a bit more ease in our day? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Montessori and Minimalism so naturally go together. Minimalism is becoming increasingly popular, with "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo from a few years ago and her new Netflix show. Many of us want to have less and enjoy more. How do we get there? Is minimalism possible with children. Montessori parent and minimalist Cassie shares her story in this interview. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

We live in a time when information is readily available. We can find the answer to any question, just as soon as we ask. But with all the noise of opinions, we still have to listen to the most important voice: our own.

We had a lovely conversation with parents who chose to keep their children in Montessori for Kindergarten, about what that decision-making process was like, some observations they've made since having their child in a Montessori setting, and if they had any thoughts they'd share with families considering Kindergarten year Montessori. Staying in your Primary classroom or starting your new Elementary school for Kindergarten is a huge choice, with so many factors. We hope this family's story helps clarify those questions, and maybe provide a few answers, for your own family's decision.

It's the time of year when we're wondering what to do about the upcoming year, an especially challenging question for parents whose children will be eligible for Kindergarten. How do you make that choice?

"Do as I say, not as I do" Never Works. We've all heard the phrase, "Do as I say, not as I do." The challenge is, while our intentions are good, this idea isn't helpful for children.

Here's an interview with Jesse McCarthy from the blog MontessoriEducation.com

Are you looking for a few new songs? This episode includes ideas for how we choose songs to sing with children, as well as five songs you might or might not be familiar with. Happy Listening!

Pamela Green of Ananda Montessori shares her story, experience, and an exciting upcoming project.

This time of year can be full of travel. Here are a few of our favorite tips for enjoying, rather than stressing, travel with children.

Over the next several months, there are so many holidays and special occasions. How do we help children through these joyful, and sometimes stressful events? Due to your feedback, this episode includes tips for all ages, not just those under six! Thanks for the notes, they help us be better! (Spoiler alert: the next episode will be about travel with young children, and will be live just a bit early.)

The Toddler Whisperer herself, Simone Davies of The Montessori Notebook and The Montessori Toddler, joins us in this episode about toddlers and specifically about tantrums and challenging behaviors.

This is the sequel to Episode 80 - Should in Montessori. How do we turn from "should be" to "could be?"

Even with training and patience and observation, our own judgement is a voice that is hard to quiet. It's instinct, and can be a helpful tool, but it means we also sometimes jump to conclusions, rather than leaving space for Following the Child.

It's easy to get stuck and thing some things definitively ARE Montessori, while other things patently are NOT. The truth, as with so many things, lies somewhere in the middle.

We're wrapping up this Montessori Summer series this week. It's been fantastic to hear stories of how Montessori has been implemented at home! Thanks for keeping us company.

Offering choice is so hard, but so important for developing confidence in yourself, logic, and decision-making skills. What kinds of choices do we offer? How do we phrase those choices?

While our first few episodes of the Montessori Summer Series were about routines and systems inside the home, this episode has a few activities and ideas for going outside, one of the best things about Summer!

In Episodes 73 & 74, we discussed Space and Time in our Montessori Summer series. In this episode, we bring them together, to address one difficult area of family life. We'll go over four areas where small changes can have a big impact, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. What's one challenging area in your family's life, where minor changes can make a tremendous difference, and really set you up for success?

What's the best way to use our time? Are we over-scheduled, or might things be a bit simpler if a schedule were implemented?

This week, we're kicking off summer. Learning and Montessori live outside of the school building. Let's look at ways we can Montessori at home, outside, whether or not school is in session.

This week, we're starting our series about Montessori outside of school. We're focusing on spaces, or "Prepared Environments."

"How was your day??" It's such a common question, but our answer depends on so many factors, some emotional, and some factual.

It's the time of year for making plans about what's coming next. We're often asked, what can we do to get ready for school? Here are our top three tips.

Why and how do we give choices? Which choices should we give? How should we present the choice, to set a child up for success? Is everything a choice?

Can how we think about clothing and about getting dressed make mornings a bit easier?

We received the best question on Facebook. Here are our thoughts on how to support children into altruism!

Children love to help, love working hard, love feeling the strong sense of belonging. We think of them as tasks that "have" to be done, children gain a sense of responsibility, attention to detail, and satisfaction.

An impulsive two-year-old flushing a whole roll of toilet paper, a four-year-old telling her sister not to cut her pants into shorts and then joining in, a six-year-old cleaning her room before bed without reminder. What do they have in common?

Just because we don't use tests doesn't mean we're not looking for children to be successful. In fact, just the opposite is true! So, if it's not an "A," how do we define success?

Math isn't just flashcards and worksheets. We use math all the time!

A child might always hang up their coat at school, but never at home, or always tidy their work, but leave small doll shoes for parents to step on at home. What's going on here?

What is this word, "discipline?" What do we mean? Why do we say it with such delight? Is it the same as punishment? Is it demanded, supported, imposed?

What's the purpose of Art in a Montessori classroom? How can we support creativity? How can we support the Process of Art, not just the Product?

Why do we say things like, "you did it!" and "congratulations!" but we try to avoid "good job?" Are Montessorians cold and unfeeling, or is there space for affirmation?

We love to give children gifts. For a birthday or a holiday, or because it's Tuesday or I was thinking of you. Looking for a great gift? Here are five of our favorites.

Stick to your guns of let it go? A pause and reflection on what's really important can help diffuse an argument, or provide another way to approach a situation.

Sometimes comparisons are helpful, sometimes, not so much. They can be a tool, or they can create challenges, or even internal conflict, when it might be unnecessary.

Communication is the give and take of everyday life. There can be challenges, and in this podcast, we provide some tips and suggestions from the classroom.

We recently held a Parent Education Workshop and a Webinar on A Montessori Life, uncovering a few areas of the classroom dynamics which sometimes translate well into family life. In this podcast, we chat with Jamie Bauer, Montessori Parent and Educator, on some ways she has brought Montessori into their home life, aspects of school they leave at school, and some challenges even a trained Montessorian faces!

No one will tell you what to do in a Montessori classroom. Opportunities will be provided, but it's up to you to choose how you're going to spend your time, what you'll do when faced with a challenge. It is empowering, and gives children motivation.

Work is motivating. When we only progress when a child has mastered something, we're instilling intrinsic motivation. The first in a two-part series on Motivation.

A few hints for starting the school year off strong.

It's so easy to forget, EVERYTHING is learned. We learn from an early age that we have an impact on our environment -- the people and the things around us. Sometimes, when we say something, it's true. Sometimes, it isn't but is that the same as a lie? Or wishful thinking? Or hope? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

To help is one of our most important roles as adults in children's lives. It's one of the ways we live in relationship, and one of the reasons we need community. What are some of the ways we help, and what might be motivating factors behind this help? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Children want to know everything. There's such a drive to learn and to discover. Questions are second nature. How do we need more information, in order to best help a child? What are they REALLY asking? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Math is typically one of the last areas of the Primary Classroom a child works in. There are so many things a child is working on developing, skills required for success in math. Why do we wait? Why don't we jump in on the first day? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Practical Life is foundational for children under six, in both the Toddler and Primary Environments. Why do we show children sweeping, scrubbing, polishing? What is the point of all these materials? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Maximum Effort is a Montessori term for a quality Maria Montessori observed in very young children. Devoting all of their energy to mastering something, in order to fulfill their development. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

"Follow the Child" is a Montessori phrase that is used a lot, but what does it mean? What DOESN'T it mean? How do we know we're Following the Child? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Freedom and Discipline are big words in Montessori. Hugely important concepts, and so clear in practice, but difficult to understand, and to support equally. This podcast goes deeper into explaining how these two sides of the same coin manifest in the classroom. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

This work, the Montessori lifestyle, is all-encompassing. It isn't clock-in-clock-out, it's not even a job or a career. It's a vocation, a lifestyle, a path of self-reflection and self-improvement. In this podacast, we chat with Lara Jacobs, Montessori guide and parent, who wrote a beautiful post for the blog entitled, "Vocation of Job?" In this podcast, with the same title, we talk about how she discovered Montessori, and how it's impacted her life. Hint -- in many, myriad, daily ways.

It seems natural how the classroom supports academic development. But we are social creatures, how is the interpersonal development met in the Montessori classroom? Independence is fostered, children primarily work at one-person tables, isn't this lonely? How do we help children build the strong sense of community one immediately feels upon walking into a Montessori classroom? It's just as natural, once you know what to look for. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Learning happens outside of a classroom, and even before a child is ready to attend school! Learning to walk, to talk, and to feed yourself are huge achievements. Learn more about one way to support independence with eating in this podcast interview with Jamie Bauer. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Observation is important for adults in determining if and how to help a child, but it is absolutely critical for children in meeting their own developmental needs. It is one of the most crucial skills a child develops, and they do this even without any instruction from the very first days. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Observations is Key. How do we know what children need? How do we know what children are ready for? How do we know when to stand back and let learning unfold? This muscle is necessary, flexed and grown every day. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

We're often asked, what can I do at home to support the work my child is doing in the classroom. The answer is surprising -- you're probably already doing it! Spending time together, having conversations, shared experience, all are beneficial for a child, socially and academically. For some specific tips, listen here! Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Maria Montessori proposes, in The Secret of Childhood, that the ‘creative urge of life’ is, essentially, love. She has a peculiar phrase for this particular articulation: she names it an “intelligence of love”. Later, in The Absorbent Mind, Montessori posits that, “The child is a well-spring of love. Whenever we touch the child, we touch love. It is a difficult love to define; we all feel it, but no one can describe its roots or evaluate the immense consequences which flow from it, or gather up its potency…” For us, it must be said, there is a logic of life that exists beyond the logic of yes and no and that is the logic of love. We see, in your work, this logic continually being put to work. For instance: your adamant love for life, at all costs. How would you make our classrooms, classrooms of love blossoming? If nothing else, this work must be precise and rigorously determined, but how do you construct a rigorous love? How intelligent, or sentient must it be? Can the architectural surround touch the love of the children?

Following Through might be a term we've borrowed from sports, but it's vital to supporting children in their development. It could be viewed as how we help children learn all the non-academics in the classroom. Young children are following their development, sometimes impulsively, and if something is important enough for me to stop that inner voice to change a behavior, help a child, enforce a routine, it's important enough for me to Follow Through. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

The Primary Montessori classroom is typically a three-, sometimes four-year program. When a child is ready for Kindergarten, often the question comes up-- should we stay in Montessori, or move to a different school, be it the neighborhood public school, a private school, or homeschooling. What are some aspects of that final year in a Primary Montessori classroom? Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Sleep is tricky. Wouldn't it be wonderful, if every young child fell right asleep, slept through the night, didn't need multiple tucking-ins, drinks of water, one-more story/hug/look under the bed? Some families experience ease with sleep from earliest days. Some families eagerly seek help, from the internet, friends, elders, anyone with a suggestion. Sleep is something we all do, we all need, but it isn't always easy for young children. Hopefully this episode is helpful! Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Reading is more than a skill. It's an important milestone, but reading together is just as important as being able to read to yourself. Reading together can pave the way for a life of joy in reading. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Winter is here! Boots and mittens and coats and hats... there's so much to put on before we can go outside. But, as the saying goes, there's no such thing as bad weather, only wrong clothing. This podcast offers a few suggestions for getting through Winter with ease. Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere