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Sep 05 2024
Learning at Montessori

Montessori Education: Planes of development

By Article, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy, Our School No Comments
Dr. Montessori recognised that childhood development is divided into four main phases which she called ‘planes of development.’     Each plane builds upon what was learned in those previously, and each plane has both an active and passive phase. By fully understanding the developmental needs of a child — wherever they happen to be on this continuum — we are better able to create an environment that will be optimal…
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Aug 29 2024
Forestville Montessori Commemorative Founatain

Honouring the legacy of our founders

By Article, FMS Values, Montessori Philosophy, Our School No Comments
This week we celebrate the birthday of our guiding founder, the visionary Dr Maria Montessori, and take time to acknowledge our school’s own founders; the progressive families who established Forestville Montessori School (FMS) on Sydney’s Northern Beaches way back in 1981. Their vision for place where their own children could enjoy the gifts of a Montessori education continues today at FMS; one of the longest-established Montessori Schools on the east…
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Aug 22 2024
How to encourage your child to read

How to Encourage Joyful Readers

By FMS Values, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy No Comments
Proficient reading skills set our children up for success in so many ways. Cultivating a love of joyful reading provides them with a lifetime of inspiration, entertainment, and knowledge. Do teachers teach kids to read? Of course. But what parents do at home plays an enormous role in a child’s reading too. Here are our tips help make reading a positive experience that your child will carry joyfully throughout their…
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Aug 15 2024

Grow Your Mind – Mental Health & Wellbeing at FMS

By FMS Values, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy No Comments
We were thrilled this week to host Kristina Freeman, co-founder of the award-winning Mental Health & Wellbeing program, Grow Your Mind.  Children at Forestville Montessori School have been participating in Grow Your Mind as part of their learning around selfcare and wellbeing since late last year. This week, FMS parents had a personal introduction to the program, learning how it is implemented here at FMS and what they can do…
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Aug 08 2024
Purposeful work - Primary students at Forestville Montessori school

Purposeful Work – It brings us joy!

By FMS Values, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy No Comments
Last weekend, FMS families joined our quarterly Working Bee. Adults, children and teachers all pitched in to work in our gardens, helping to keep our school environment beautiful and healthy.    This type of community work is not unusual at FMS.  From toddlers through to primary school, Montessori students engage in purposeful work. This may involve contributing to the cleanliness of the classroom, the beauty of the environment, the comfort of…
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Jul 31 2024
Kindergarten at forestville montessori sydney

Kindergarten at FMS: The crucial year between pre and primary school

By Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Our School No Comments
Many families choose FMS because they are seeking an authentic Montessori education for their children. Others look to us for a non-denominational or more holistic and personally tailored education than mainstream can offer.  Others yet choose a Montessori school for the pre-school years, before their child is eligible to start kindergarten at their local public school. Once that time comes, it seems natural to make that transition. Of course, we…
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Jun 27 2024

More than Movement: Montessori Dance

By Emotional Wellbeing, FMS Values, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy No Comments
This week at Forestville Montessori School, we invited the wonderful Kei from Montessori Dance to share insights about teaching dance in a Montessori environment. Movement at Montessori A key element that differentiates Montessori schools from the mainstream is our child-centred approach, emphasising the development of the whole child. Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori approach, believed that education should cater to all aspects of a child’s development—intellectual, physical, social,…
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Jun 20 2024

Grace and courtesy for social development and relationships

By FMS Values, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Montessori Philosophy No Comments
As we develop a new vision and mission for our school, we continually refer to the guiding principles of Montessori philosophy. What are the values we impart to our students and how can we, as educators, leaders and parents, cultivate these in our own lives? Two words regularly used in the Montessori classroom are grace and courtesy. To inspire grace and courtesy in our children, we need to model these…
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Jun 13 2024

Staff Development: Cultivating Hope, Joy and Authenticity (with Dr Andrew Fuller)

By Emotional Wellbeing, Montessori Educators, Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning, Parenting No Comments
Last Friday, as part of the Combined Sydney Montessori Staff Development Day for 2024, FMS staff were treated to a live presentation from clinical psychologist, Dr. Andrew Fuller.  Dr Fuller is a psychologist, author and (very entertaining) speaker. He specialises mental health and wellbeing for young people and their families, working with schools, communities and individuals in Australia and around the world.   According to his website, Dr Fuller ‘puts the…
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Jun 05 2024

Montessori Miniature Environment and Grammar Boxes

By Montessori in Action, Montessori Learning No Comments
After our recent parent education session on literacy at Forestville Montessori School, we wanted to introduce you to more of our in-class language materials. Montessori grammar materials are not only beautiful, they do a great job of engaging children to learn about something many of us dreaded when we were kids ourselves. Parents who attended our In Conversation Literacy session had a first-hand experience of some of the beautiful literacy…
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