Let’s distinguish the genuine Montessori materials from the not-so-Montessori products and activities. Sometimes it’s hard to tell.

If you don't know about Montessori colored beads yet, let me introduce you. These babies are integral to the Montessori math curriculum, beginning with simple counting exercises for 3-6 year olds and...

When you find out that Montessori exists and how amazing it is for children, you want it, and you want it now! I completely understand. Even growing up Montessori with all of my mother's knowledge...

Plants are a Montessori essential! Not only do they help you breathe more deeply and feel more peaceful, they provide opportunities for the child to learn about the Earth. And it all happens right in your very own home.

When I look at this photo of Maria in 1913, I smile at her old fashioned lacily modest neckline, her coiffed hair, the folds of dark fabric which enveloped her frame. I wonder if she was overweight by early...

With all the Montessori love going on these days in the online world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hunt for the next “must-have” toy to add to your shelf. To those of you who have found yourself in a spiderweb of confusion about what is and is not Montessori and whether you need to invest in all those recommended toys, here is what to do instead.

A thrift store is a Montessori parent's best friend!  Here’s a shopping list of must-have items to go hunting for. When you get back home, you’ll be ready to set up a shelf for work!

Are Legos Montessori? The answer to this question probably depends on who you ask. Are you asking a Montessori teacher while peering into her classroom, wondering if Legos are part of the Montessori...

Before giving a work to a child aged 2 to 6, a Montessori teacher almost always gives a “lesson” to demonstrate the activity while the child watches. Montessori believed strongly in the importance of...

The three period lesson is a staple of Montessori education. It can be used to teach the name of anything, including the sounds of the letters of the alphabet, setting the stage for reading. It is...

I think we’ve all heard the siren call of Minimalism at some point in parenthood. The notion that minimizing your possessions means MORE time for other things is understandably appealing--especially to parents who find themselves overwhelmed with life and upkeep. There is truth to this: simplifying life CAN make things easier…

Sometimes we come upon a quote from Maria that shocks us and makes us reconsider everything we've been taught in the name of Montessori. Where do we go from there?

The Montessori classroom is the absolute perfect prepared environment for someone like me. Why? As a child, I was allowed the freedom to move at will, read to my heart's content, and daydream.

Never has a term so confused a traditional teacher or a parent just learning about Montessori. The common phrase "choose your work" used in the Montessori classroom has caused a massive myth...