Eagle Montessori Teaching Academy

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Preschool (3 - 6) Development Language development Language is developing rapidly, refining communication skills Movement Development of coordinated movement Independence Exploring, freedom to choose  Sensorial experiences Continuing to learn through the senses Self and Purpose a more conscious stage of development Activities Auditory Discrimination Exploring different sounds Listening and explori...

The Power of the adult role model The participation and modeling of teachers, parents, and caregivers are essential to a child’s musical growth. Adults are able to present the music and movements with enthusiasm because it is so much fun for them, too. The children absorb the adults’ passion and joy. Don’t worry about your skill level! They just want to sing with you and their friends! 0 - 3 Years...

Many thanks to Donna Koontz for her time! Notes from Donna: Academics Music exercises more parts of the brain than almost any other activity and research has shown that music helps children access parts of the brain that may be low functioning. Music is wonderful for children that have learning disabilities or differences! Sensory discrimination is the foundation for a number of high-level cogniti...

Many thanks to Donna for the rich discussion on the importance of music and movement in our classrooms! Notes from Donna: When I reflect on music and movement with children, one of the first things I think of is community , and how music helps to build community through behaviors like interdependence, friendship, peaceful coexistence, and communicating with each other. Music is such a great way to...

We’ve talked about some of the distinguishing features of the Montessori method, such as the focus on independence, the use of individual presentations and distinct structure, and the very specific materials. Another unique aspect of the Montessori Method is the sensorial curriculum.  This is truly a cornerstone of Montessori theory, and the sensorial materials were the first to be developed by Dr...

Early childhood learning, just like other stages of education, is comprised of different areas of focus.  Whether we use the term “subjects”, “areas”, “themes”, “content”, “field”, “topic”, etc.  One of those key pieces of curriculum is language. Maria Montessori says, “language is the central point of difference between the human species and all others.  Language lies at the root of that transfor...

We’ve talked about some of the distinguishing features of the Montessori method, such as the focus on independence, the use of individual presentations and distinct structure, and the very specific materials. One of the learning areas in Montessori also sets it apart from other early childhood programs- the focus on practical life.  As we’ve noted before, this is an aspect of Montessori that can b...

One of the many things that sets Montessori apart from other early childhood programs is the focus on very specific materials.  Many early childhood programs across a variety of curriculums will have lots of similar items in their classrooms, and I am sure we can all think of some items we would deem as “classic” early childhood classroom materials. Montessori differs a bit in the sense that they...

There are a lot of fantastic features that make up the whole Montessori method.  One of the features that I think is really an item that sets this style of learning apart is the individual presentations.  This is a really fascinating concept, and a big focus of the Montessori Guide’s day. In, let’s say, the average early childhood classroom, a teacher is creating lesson plans for the class as a wh...

In our first Montessori episode, Kat Love went over some of the big concepts in Montessori education, and one of those that she mentioned was the focus on independence. Kat explained, “independence is an ongoing and organic process.  As children learn to pour water, put on their own shoes, pack away their work, or solve their own problems, they become more confident, independent, and intrinsically...

Some notes on Montessori: Multi -Age Groupings that foster peer learning.  Younger children learn from the older ones and the older children reinforce what they’ve learned by teaching concepts they have already mastered and are great role models. Generally, Montessori age groupings are Infant & Toddler (birth to 18 months), Early Childhood preschool through Kindergarten (ages 2 ½-6), Lower Ele...