Here is the MPR audio cast from the Top Coast Forum at the University of Minnesota on May 31, 2014.
Richard Louv at the Top Coast Forum
Here is the MPR audio cast from the Top Coast Forum at the University of Minnesota on May 31, 2014.
International Mud Day!
Get
Ready for Mud Day 2014!
International
Mud Day 2014 is right around the corner! Join us all over the world in a
day of splashing, rolling, squishing, sliding, making mud pies, and more!
Now’s the time to spread the word about how you will celebrate.
Tell us in our WoFoNet Mud Day Conversation and share
your ideas on our Mud Day
Facebook Page.
The Nature Action Collaborative
for Children offers a number of resources
for planning your Mud Day, including photos of previous Mud Days, articles,
books about mud, and Mud
Day logos (like the one you see here) to use in your newsletters or
websites.
The Joy of Summer
The summer program has burst into full bloom with so many friends coming each day to enjoy the lovely environment outside at MCH. We couldn't ask for a better place to spend time with each other and revel in all the fun of a summer day.
Montessori Education Week
From our friends at FOR SMALL HANDS
"And so we discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being."
—Maria Montessori
Montessori Education Week: February 23 to March 1, 2014
This time of year, we Montessorians celebrate the history and success of the Montessori method, and recognize the contributions of Dr. Montessori herself. Children are introduced to Maria Montessori, the real person who created the classroom materials children use every day. Schools often find ways to promote further understanding of Montessori education in their larger communities. There are so many delightful ways for schools, teachers, families, and training centers to celebrate this week!
"Education should no longer be mostly imparting of knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentialities."
—Maria Montessori
What can one person do?
What if there were one simple, personal way to incorporate this week into your life and work? A way to improve your time with children and deepen your understanding of the Montessori method... A little something to do in a thoroughly Montessori way...
Here it is: Sit still. Yes, that impossible task. Sit and be quiet. Sit and observe.
Sit and notice all the things your child or children are doing. Children do come with instruction manuals—all you have to do is sit patiently, watch, and listen. They will tell you everything if you are quiet enough to hear it. You'll see their perspective on things, the way they physically interact with their environment and the things in it, their preferences for work, and their curiosities.
This is how Montessorians "follow the child" and, frankly, we can't help but marvel at each child and the infinite potential right in front of our eyes.
Sit and observe your children at play. Sit and wonder as you notice what activities they choose when they are alone and what things they prefer to do with others. How they speak to different friends. How they integrate themselves into a group, how they hang back sometimes. Sitting back and observing is integral to understanding who our children are. Isn't that the ultimate gift for them and us?
Sit and observe areas in your home or classroom. How are they functioning? Are the children successful in these areas or do cabinets, shelves, or drawers, need simplifying or a little reorganizing? Can you provide something for the children in the environment so that, next time, they can follow their urges and complete their responsibilities by themselves?
"Education demands, then, only this: the utilization of the inner powers of the child for his own instruction... There is a part of a child's soul that has always been unknown but which must be known...since it means the bringing forth of an indispensable element for the moral progress of mankind."
—Maria Montessori
Observation illuminates the path ahead.
Observing is the ultimate education on what matters most...the children themselves. It gives us the understanding we need to proceed in serving the child on his or her own unique path. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, observing can foster more positive relationships, allow for independence and growth in your child, and ensure greater satisfaction and fulfillment for you.
As teachers, this is our most important work and sometimes the hardest to squeeze in, as we attempt to ensure that each child is getting the lessons needed at the right time and take care of all else that needs to be done for the classroom itself. Yet, we find a way.
As parents, observing can be tough. We aren't always objective. It can be hard to hang back, and it can be the last thing on our minds as we are busy multi-tasking and managing a busy family life. Yet, observing is truly the most illuminating gift—the gift of understanding our children.
—Kelly Griffith Mannion, M. Ed. Kelly's credentials include a Montessori Primary and a Lower Elementary Credential, as well as a Master's of Education in Early Childhood, Montessori Education. Kelly has worn many Montessori hats, acting at various times as a teacher, administrator, teacher trainer, and board member. Her current passion is the creation of a public Montessori Elementary Charter School in Petaluma, CA.
"And so we discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being."
—Maria Montessori
Montessori Education Week: February 23 to March 1, 2014
This time of year, we Montessorians celebrate the history and success of the Montessori method, and recognize the contributions of Dr. Montessori herself. Children are introduced to Maria Montessori, the real person who created the classroom materials children use every day. Schools often find ways to promote further understanding of Montessori education in their larger communities. There are so many delightful ways for schools, teachers, families, and training centers to celebrate this week!
"Education should no longer be mostly imparting of knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentialities."
—Maria Montessori
What can one person do?
What if there were one simple, personal way to incorporate this week into your life and work? A way to improve your time with children and deepen your understanding of the Montessori method... A little something to do in a thoroughly Montessori way...
Here it is: Sit still. Yes, that impossible task. Sit and be quiet. Sit and observe.
Sit and notice all the things your child or children are doing. Children do come with instruction manuals—all you have to do is sit patiently, watch, and listen. They will tell you everything if you are quiet enough to hear it. You'll see their perspective on things, the way they physically interact with their environment and the things in it, their preferences for work, and their curiosities.
This is how Montessorians "follow the child" and, frankly, we can't help but marvel at each child and the infinite potential right in front of our eyes.
Sit and observe your children at play. Sit and wonder as you notice what activities they choose when they are alone and what things they prefer to do with others. How they speak to different friends. How they integrate themselves into a group, how they hang back sometimes. Sitting back and observing is integral to understanding who our children are. Isn't that the ultimate gift for them and us?
Sit and observe areas in your home or classroom. How are they functioning? Are the children successful in these areas or do cabinets, shelves, or drawers, need simplifying or a little reorganizing? Can you provide something for the children in the environment so that, next time, they can follow their urges and complete their responsibilities by themselves?
"Education demands, then, only this: the utilization of the inner powers of the child for his own instruction... There is a part of a child's soul that has always been unknown but which must be known...since it means the bringing forth of an indispensable element for the moral progress of mankind."
—Maria Montessori
Observation illuminates the path ahead.
Observing is the ultimate education on what matters most...the children themselves. It gives us the understanding we need to proceed in serving the child on his or her own unique path. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, observing can foster more positive relationships, allow for independence and growth in your child, and ensure greater satisfaction and fulfillment for you.
As teachers, this is our most important work and sometimes the hardest to squeeze in, as we attempt to ensure that each child is getting the lessons needed at the right time and take care of all else that needs to be done for the classroom itself. Yet, we find a way.
As parents, observing can be tough. We aren't always objective. It can be hard to hang back, and it can be the last thing on our minds as we are busy multi-tasking and managing a busy family life. Yet, observing is truly the most illuminating gift—the gift of understanding our children.
—Kelly Griffith Mannion, M. Ed. Kelly's credentials include a Montessori Primary and a Lower Elementary Credential, as well as a Master's of Education in Early Childhood, Montessori Education. Kelly has worn many Montessori hats, acting at various times as a teacher, administrator, teacher trainer, and board member. Her current passion is the creation of a public Montessori Elementary Charter School in Petaluma, CA.
Lunar New Year of the Horse
Happy Year of the Horse!
Polar Express
Wow!
Returning to Northfield and school in this weather is rough. We will be safe and wise in our winter environment and keep the doors to MCH closed on Monday 1/6 and Tuesday 1/7. Everyone stay warm!
Returning to Northfield and school in this weather is rough. We will be safe and wise in our winter environment and keep the doors to MCH closed on Monday 1/6 and Tuesday 1/7. Everyone stay warm!
Keep up with our globe trotting teacher, Shana, with "Hodels on Global"
Hodels on Global: Check out our pictures: Life continues in Hong Kong and we are having a great time! Marty has taken some amazing pictures that we would like to share. The easiest ...
Halloween
Halloween is great fun for the children. We can't decide if it's the dressing up in costumes, the parade past the middle school, the piñata, or our other MCH tradition--carving the "Jolly Goblin"--that we love the best. For the most part it's the joy we feel as we come together at the end of October as a true community.
Here are "itty bitty love's" tips for
making a confusing holiday like Halloween fun for a young toddler:
- Try on costumes with friends and family before Halloween. I set up a costume corner for Elise a couple weeks before Halloween. She tried on costumes with friends and family, and had lots of fun. She also went to a Halloween party the day before Halloween, and played with other children wearing costumes. On Halloween night, Elise didn't seem at all surprised or frightened to see people in costumes. Occasionally, she squealed in delight when she saw someone whose look really struck her fancy!
- Choose a costume that your child can relate to. Next year, Elise will choose her own costume, but at 15 months, it was up to me and Hubs. One of Elise's first animal sounds was a monkey, and she always gets really excited when she sees monkeys in books, so "monkey" seemed like a fairly logical costume choice.
- Include your child in the costume-making/ buying process. Elise participated in putting together her costume from start to finish. She went to the craft store to pick out the pattern and supplies, and she tried on the costume as my mom and I sewed. If you're buying a costume, invite your child to go shopping with you, and if possible, let them try on costumes in the store to check fit and style.
- Give your child time to get used to wearing the costume. As soon as Elise's costume was finished, it was available for her to wear throughout the day for a week or so before Halloween. By the time the big day rolled around, it was covered in food (!), but she was also really comfortable wearing it.
- Look at Halloween decorations in the daylight. Not all Halloween decorations are as cute as my owls! On Halloween morning, Elise and I walked our trick-or-treating route, and watched people putting up decorations. Many of our neighbors explained to Elise what they were doing, and invited her to come by to trick-or-treat that night. I was also able to see which houses would be too scary to walk by in the dark (i.e. the house with zombies crawling out of the yard).
- Take your time packing up the decor. This applies to all holidays! As an adult, I'm usually ready to put away the holiday the day after it's done, but I learned as a teacher, it's better for kiddos to do it gradually. There's so much build-up before a holiday; putting things away over the course of a week can prevent children from feeling totally letdown. Elise is still playing in her costume corner, and our jack-o-lantern is smiling at us from the nature table in our living room.
Post Halloween
Here is a timely post from our friend Micaela at Mindful Momma:
How to Manage Sweets Season
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Are you up to your ears in Halloween candy? Yeah, we are too. Like it or not, sweets season is officially upon us! By the time the Halloween candy is gone, we’ve got pumpkin pies and then it’s candy canes and countless other holiday sweet treats. So what’s a green & healthy parent to do? Here are a few ideas:
Swap it out
Have you ever heard of the switch witch? Apparently she visits unsuspecting houses and swaps out healthier treats for crappy ones. Some brave parents even pay money for each piece of candy the child hands over or substitute a toy for the entire candy stash. Where does the candy actually go after that? Why the office candy bowl of course – where treats magically disappear without worry of calories, preservatives or artificial dyes! Full disclosure: I have never done this (although I have been known to toss whatever is still left after a few weeks).Set limits
No matter how old your kids are, it’s important to set some type of limit on candy consumption. Obviously, it’s going to be different depending on the age of the kids. When my kids were younger, I limited it to one or two pieces a day. Now that my kids are older (9 and 13), I don’t try to micro-manage the situation too much but I do ask them to limit it to 2 pieces after a meal. And call me the worst parent on the planet, but I let them have candy for breakfast on the day after Halloween. They must dream about candy all night long and they wake up completely obsessed! Oddly enough, I find that they get over the candy-mania after a couple of days and all-in-all they self-regulate pretty well.Same goes for the rest of the holiday-season dessert overload. Moderation is the key!
Take a break
So you let your kids go a little crazy on sweets for a while. Then you’ve got to cut back, which can be hard because sugar is a bit addictive in case you haven’t noticed. First, we cut the candy because that’s not something we keep around the house all year long. Then we cut back on having sweets after every meal. How about some fruit? Then, sometime after the holiday sugar season is finally over, we usually have a sweets-free week for the whole family. Getting off sugar completely is a great way to reset your system. The cravings go down and after that we can get by on homemade cookies and healthier treats. But then Valentine’s Day comes along….Emphasize healthy eating
The last part of the story is that it’s important to model healthy eating habits for your kids. So like don’t take away their candy and then down a couple of Cokes in front of them, OK? Our kids see us cooking healthy foods, reading labels and watching what we eat. We serve veggies with (almost!) every meal and the fruit bowl is always open for snack time. Talk to your kids about healthy foods and empower them to take charge of their health. Do what you can to make healthy food fun!
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Today was no ordinary day. Starting at the meeting rock, we trudged uphill to find a dry spot. We shared and we listened. My stump...
