Part 2: Education of the Child

We have finally reached part 2. At this point in the book it feels like we are really reaching the “good stuff”. After many chapters outlining the way a child’s mind works, we are now at the section where Dr. Montessori talks about her…

Movement both grows and expresses the child's intelligence of love.

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June Blog: The Intelligence of Love

It has been a few months since I last wrote a blog. Not only were we coming to the end of Part 1 in “The Secret of Childhood”, but you may have noticed a couple large events that took place since February. I am happy to announce that Council…

Middle School students in a game of chess

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How Montessori Prepares Students to Adapt

Introduction For this month’s blog I will take a break from The Secret of Childhood. For one, we have covered all, but the final 2 chapters of Part 1, marking a natural stopping point. However, the main reason for the shift is to write something…

Trying out instruments in Gerry's music room

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Rhythm and Movement: Chapters 13-15

Chapter 13: Rhythm We mostly think of rhythm in terms of music, dance and drums. Although music education is a large part of Council Oak Montessori School’s curriculum, the Montessori sense of rhythm goes deeper. It is one of those Secrets…

Pre-school & Montessori

Obstacles to Growth and the Montessori Solution: Chapters 10-12

In this month's blog, covering chapters 10-12 of "The Secret of Childhood", we look at obstacles to growth for young children. What did Maria Montessori see as common obstacles to growth and how does a Montessori school go about addressing them? Chapter…

Pre-school & Montessori

Chapters 7-9: Sensitive Periods

Chapter 7: Psychic Development It is strange sometimes to watch an infant at play. They seem fascinated by seemingly trivial things. It is easy to write these interests off, but if we would like to understand and assist their growth, it is…

Pre-school & Montessori

Chapters 4-6: The Spiritual Embryo

Chapter 4: The Newborn Child To newborn children, all the world is strange and magnificent. They undergo the enormous task of adapting themselves to this environment. Dr. Montessori was in awe of this. She believed that newborn children must…

Pre-school & Montessori

Chapters 1-3: The Era of the Child

Chapter 1: The Era of the Child Maria Montessori’s book The Secret of Childhood was published in 1936. She begins by talking about “the progress made in recent years in the care and education of children.” As far back as the 1890’s,…

Pre-school & Montessori

Beginning A Journey: Through the Montessori Method

I’m Dave Power, the current marketing manager at Council Oak, but my journey with COMS didn’t start here. Way back in 1999, I arrived at the Lower Elementary classroom for my first day at Council Oak Montessori. I remember only pieces from…

Pre-school & Montessori

How Montessori Sparks Children's Creativity and Learning

Every education system is designed to facilitate learning. However, Montessori stands out in its pursuit of inspiration, giving children the skills and passion necessary for deep learning. Students go beyond typical memorization to develop the…