The Necessity of Community in Times of Grief

When I first read the heart-crushing accounts of the shootings at Sally Hook Elementary in Newtown Connecticut, there was very little else to do but lament.

The sorrow felt for the children and adults who died, for the mentally imbalanced young man who thought it necessary to commit such an act, for the families left with the impossibly profound distress felt when a loved one is taken from them – all too overwhelming and real.

It takes very little imagination to posit your own child in that scenario, and imagine the devastation felt. And yet such horrors are commonplace around the world – the stories numerous and equal in tragedy. We read about killings in the Congo, and Syria, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Somalia.

Now tragedy occurs 6 hours from our home, and we have no choice but to stop and pay heed and cry for such terrible loss. 

Keeping Kids Healthy At School – Top 5 Things Parents Can Do

image courtesy of learningfundamentals.com.au

Let’s face it, any place where a lot of people are within close proximity on a regular basis raises the risk of illness. Office buildings, buses, malls…and schools. At some point we all catch something.

It’s fairly common for kids to pick up the sniffles or a cough within the first few weeks of school – and it can be a reminder for us parents to do our part to help keep them healthy.

The Beyond Montessori School Blog has covered children’s immunity before, and we thought it would be a good time for a little refresher. Most of us know this already, but a little reminder never hurts.

The Problem with Institutionalized Public Schooling – Ontario and Beyond

At the heart of Montessori Education is how it distinguishes itself from public institutional practices. An emphasis placed on discovery and learning for the benefit of the child.

While this is not intended as adversarial, the Montessori approach raises several key questions about whether or not our current public systems are working.

In a nutshell, the answer is a resounding no. In spite of the courageous efforts of some pretty spectacular teachers, the very nature of institutionalized education is to treat students as commodities for specific outcomes. Historically, this has meant everything from soldiers to laborers to specifically defined “citizens”.

This begs the question, if a child’s educational path is predetermined for a specific outcome, then how much of that education is really for the child? 

The Mozart Effect – A Foundation for Intelligent, Well-Rounded Children

Early morning, a few days ago, as our household was going through its usual routines to start the day, my daughter burst into song.

She had learned the tune at school, and the urge to belt it out was sudden and immense and nothing short of lovely.

Her voice was clear, in tune, and confident. She sang with pleasure, as though the song itself were an extension of her play. I’m sure many parents have experienced similar moments with their own children. Music has such an impact on kids from an early age. As parents, we work to maintain healthy lifestyles with food, education, a sense of community – and  music can and should be as integral a component.

Organic Produce: Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen in Pesticides

image courtesy of livepermaculture.com

A large part of Beyond Montessori School’s education includes outdoor activities with the kids.

Here, they discover the natural world: how seeds germinate, how plants grow, and how our obligation to take care of the earth is crucial. 

We also want to encourage our kids and parents to be informed about the quality of foods we consume. While the ethics of raising and consuming both agriculture and livestock can be a lengthy discussion, there are simple considerations that can have positive long-term impact. Organic, pesticide-free produce is a significant one. 

Montessori Works For All Ages – An Introduction Through Video

The Montessori Foundation in the U.S. created a video as part of the National Education Report that outlines how Montessori Learning greatly benefits American students who have struggled in public schools.

Yes, the video is in reference to the United States’ plight of education reform. But the information applies directly to concerns we have here in Canada as well.

 

A lot of information on  Montessori focuses on the early, formative years in a child’s life – and for good reason. Those years are the hinge point for the rest of a child’s learning life. It’s important to note these same principles, carried from adolescence into the teens, continue to yield significant rewards.

Peace Projects: Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?

This month Beyond  Montessori families have been encouraged to reach out to their local community through peace projects.

Families pick small projects that promote community, and document them for the school to learn about. Anything from making cards to hosting a talent show for charity. The sky’s the limit.

By month’s end, we hope to hear (and post) the creative ways we’ve reached out to know people in our neighborhoods.

The Public School Dilemma: Conversation With Parents

The ongoing trend of parents seeking private schools for their children’s education has seen consistent, incremental growth.

At the top of the list of reasons why: the perception that private schools offer superior education.

Equally motivating is the concern over how institutionalized, public education seems ill-suited to so many children. A recent conversation I had with parents disappointed with how their child fared at their neighborhood school is a perfect example of how important these discussions over education reform are – and why they need to continue.

Before I continue, a disclaimer: I am aware that just as all public schools are not alike, so it goes with private schools. There are many that fall into the same form of education as public schools – for good or ill – and the debate can be a complicated one. Of importance is constructive criticism about the way children are being taught. 

Beyond Montessori’s Free Children’s Health and Wellness Presentation

Beyond Montessori School is excited to announce our very first Children’s Health and Wellness Presentation on May 11th.

These sessions will be hosted by PURE Natural Health and Wellness and feature Naturopathic Doctor Elly Jenkyns and  Certified Nutritional Practitioner Sharlene Brewer.

Coordinated by clinical counselor, Robyn Meagher, the sessions will focus on optimizing overall health and wellbeing for children, including: food and other allergies, digestive imbalances, key excesses and deficiencies in children’s health, development and behavioural matters, and toxicity.

Spring Gardening With Kids – Maria Montessori Would Approve…I Think

Is it too early for Spring? Local parks here have been packed with kids and parents alike the past few weeks.

Patio furniture has come out, barbecues ignited, and – dare I say – short pants have exposed the stark-white lower legs of many a wintry victim.

As I dropped my daughter off at Beyond Montessori the other morning, I noticed the raised garden box from last year. Over March Break camps. the kids had painted it bright with new colours. Old plants were removed; the soil turned over. Spring is about regeneration and renewal – and what better example of this than with preparing a garden.