Articles for Teachers

How Important are the Montessori Materials?

Angeline Lillard, Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, writes about the preponderance of non Montessori materials that she sees in many Montessori environments and considers the effect that these materials may be having on the effective application of the Montessori approach.

Montessori and the EYFS

The introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) has created an opportunity for a new relationship between the Montessori movement in the UK and those academics, policy makers and local authority professionals involved in the care and education of young children.

Synthetic Phonics - A New Approach?

The recent claims that ‘synthetic phonics’ hold the key to transforming literacy levels in the UK is far from news to those familiar with the approach to language found in a Montessori Children’s House. Sarah Emerson looks at what is meant by this term and how far the Montessori Approach goes to fulfilling the recommendations of the recent research into literacy.

Supporting Bilingual Children

This is an excerpt from a lecture given by Irene Fafalios at the Montessori Society AGM in London in 2007. Irene explains the different forms that bilingualism takes in today’s multicultural society and how as teachers and parents we can support children who speak more than one language.

Talking About Children: Working with Parents

As Montessori teachers it is very important that we find a way to help parents understand the developmental principles that we are using to inform our work with the children. Shannon Helfrich gives some insight into how we can interact with parents and what kind of things it is important to help them to understand.

Sadhana: Reflections from the 26th International Montessori Congress

A reflection by Kristin McAlister Young on the word "Sadhana", the topic for the 26th International Montessori Conference in Chennai, India.