Guiding Parents in Todays World Montessori Alliance of Tennessee Fall Conference September 29 2018 Significant increase in children with delayed or atypical development Lack of family engagement with their children and with their schools ID: 764835
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Guiding Parents in Today’s World Montessori Alliance of Tennessee Fall ConferenceSeptember 29, 2018
Significant increase in children with delayed or atypical developmentLack of family engagement with their children and with their schools Children as objectsParents wanting schools to do more and moreHow will I know what my child is doing at school? Two Dilemmas
What can schools do to engage families more fully in the school community?
Teaching vs Guiding Teacher Child Montessori Model Teacher Child Traditional Model
School-Family Relationships Child Family School Traditional Model Child School Family Dynamic Model
“That humanity which is revealed in all its intellectual splendor during the sweet and tender age of childhood should be respected with a kind of religious veneration. It is like the sun which appears at dawn or a flower just beginning to bloom. Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.” ― Maria Montessori Respect: To treat a person with a certain deference while honoring their unique talents, abilities, and limitations. Today’s parent programs need to recognize the current abilities and limitations of our family communities. Respect
You are the subject matter expert.Typical child developmentImportance of Prepared Environment, Transformed Adult, and Montessori materialsGuide/Directress observationsAllow freedom, with limits, for exploration and understanding“If you build it, they will come” Own Your Authority!
What is their understanding of Montessori?Why did they choose a Montessori education?What do they want for their children?What are their expectations for the child?What are their other “obligations”?What can they expect while their child is in your classroom?Their child’s growth and development Communication about their child’s progressIllnesses, atypical behaviors, and other potential concerns Get to know your families
WebsiteSchool tourApplication processEnrollment processParent handbookNew student orientationNew family orientation Family Engagement: Walk the walk
Montessori LanguageHow will this help my child?Protect the integrity of our classroomsDeveloping focus and concentrationPrepared environmentsAllowing child to grow by removing obstaclesEvery. Single. Interaction. “This is…” Family Engagement: So What?
ObservationsSchedule in advanceTurn off cell phones, purses in officeClipboard with blank paper and pencilFly on the wallObserve interactions between:teacher and children, children and children, children and the materialsWrite down questions or impressions to be discussed Family Opportunities for Learning
Montessori 101Incorporating Montessori philosophy into your daily livesBring Parents to SchoolCommunity eventsVolunteer trainingHow to be in a Montessori classroomParent Teacher ConferencesCommunication Tools such as Transparent Classroom Pick up and drop off“Show Me” & “What is this?” Family Opportunities for Learning
Preparing the Home EnvironmentDeveloping Independence (or Resiliency, Self-discipline, etc.)Family values vs. lifestylesChildhood ages & stages (aka Planes of Development)Parenting with RespectPower StrugglesHandling Difficult BehaviorsParenting Across Cultures Parenting Skills Discussions
Parenting seminars6 weeks longEstablishing values and creating routines and habits that are consistent with those valuesSetting realistic expectations and limitsNatural consequences vs adult-imposed threatsFamily support system Parenting Today Seminars
Questions and Answers Denise Harold, M.Ed. 770-281-9449 denise@CommonSenseParentingLLC.comwww.CommonSenseParentingLLC.com @CommonSenseParentsParent Mentor * Teacher Guide * School Advisor