Parent Education

Classes

Watch Me Grow – a free class open to the public at Keystone Montessori for Mom or Dad and their child, ages 15 mo. – 24 mo. Please email Ms. Laura at laura@keystonemontessori.com to be put on the waitlist for our Spring Session – space is limited!

Articles & Links

A Montessori Approach to Toileting – Michael Olaf
Characteristics of the 2nd Plane Child
‘Children Succeed’ With Character, Not Test Scores – NPR
Elementary Book List – Suggested books to read aloud to your elementary-aged child
Five Reasons to Stop Saying “Good Job!” – Alfie Kohn
Gateway Parenting – Wendy Calise
Helping Your Child Learn to Manage Anger – Dr. Laura Markham
Kids in the Kitchen – Positive Parenting
Link to Research Studies on Montessori Education
Technology in the Montessori Classroom – Greg MacDonald
The Technology Screen – John Long, Silvana Q. Montanaro, M.D., and Jane M. Healy, Ph.D.
Unsolicited Evaluation is the Enemy of Creativity – Peter Gray, Ph.D.
What Do Babies Think – TED Talk by Alison Gopnik
What Research Says About Montessori and Student Outcomes

Books

Children: The Challenge - by Rudolf Dreikurs, Vicki Soltz
From Childhood to Adolescence – Maria Montessori
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way – Tim Seldin
Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius – Angeline S. Lillard, PhD
Parenting From the Inside Out - Daniel J. Siegel, Mary Hartzell
To Educate the Human Potential – Maria Montessori
Toilet Awareness – Sarah Moudry (a good read for toilet learning)

Websites

Families Reconnecting

Dis-Connected – Impact of Excessive Screen Time on Kids:

Dr. S Sudhakar, Founder of SchoolCues and GLTYR, spoke on this subject at our Community Meeting, January 12, 2016. Scientists are just now beginning to flush out the effects of excessive electronic engagement on kids. Too much screen time may be linked to an increased incidence of risky behaviors. More social network activity also appears to correspond to mood problems among teens. But there’s good news, too. Moderate use of technology may be associated with the development of some cognitive, motor and social skills.

Dr. Sudhakar’s “Call to Action – Reconnecting” for all parents and staff is to identify one small change you would like to make in your daily life which would empower kids to be more active and to have more quality interaction and engagement with parents, friends and family. If you have any ideas you’d like to share, please send your recommendations to Ms. Laura at laura@keystonemontessori.com.

Kids and Screens: What Can We Do? – Kenneth Barish, Ph.D.

Parent Submissions

We will sometimes go for family walks after dinner (when it doesn’t get dark so early).
We do family game nights.
One of us will lay with our eldest for 10 minutes at bedtime, in the dark, so she can talk to us…she seems to open up the most during this time.
We have a rule that the kids must get a least 1 hour of exercise a day…we usually go to the park, play outside, etc.

– Anonymous
We stopped watching any TV during the week. Makes it harder some days, but ultimately makes for a happier house. And TV is a special treat, not the expectation.

– Alexander Family

We plan to incorporate this (above idea) when our kids are a bit older.
-Holm Family
We have a “no technology” rule at the kitchen table, for all meals.
We have a “no technology” rule whenever we have visitors. The only exception is if sharing pictures or videos of a recent event/activity. We need to be socializing/interacting with company.
Just as another parent shared, at bed time after reading to each other, we turn out the lights, snuggle down, and talk about our day and what the plans are for the next day. So much more gets shared at that time than the typical “how was your day” after picking her up.
-Goodrum Family

Keystone Families