Dayguards (childcare workers) in Finland built a “forest floor” and changed children’s immune systems.   Within 30 days of playing in forest soil and leaf garbage, Finnish preschoolers had increased the number of T-cells and much more varied intestinal bacteria. In a fascinating experiment, Finnish researchers have recreated the environment on a forest base on the playgrounds of four urban day care homes. Understanding the importance of nature, they covered the playgrounds with forest soil, moss, meadow grass, dwarf moose,

Montessori schools have a strong Peace Curriculum and all around the world embrace the UNITED NATION’S INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY on September 21st.  This year, our class will also give this a focus as it assists us all in understanding how to come together as a community and work together in the same classroom peacefully and cooperatively.  On Peace Day, we lit a candle for peace between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. to give an example of how the Light of Peace

Dear Parents,   This week’s news weighs heavy on our heart, as information unfolds about the sad and tragic discovery at the former residential school in Kamloops. Roots and Wings Montessori acknowledges the immense hurt and trauma this has caused to the Tk‘emlups te Secwepemc people and to all Canadians. While many have been regretfully aware of this knowledge for some time, the recent discovery has brought it to the forefront of thought. This means we need to consider our

To understand our philosophy on the need for a natural environment for your children, we recommend three essential books:  Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv;   Nurturing the Spirit in the Non-Sectarian Classroom, by Aline Wolf; and Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy.   We know our earth is in rough shape – that without our extreme care, pollution, global warming, garbage overload, the imbalance of obesity and hunger, weather extremes and so on, will continue to destroy our natural life space and

The Absorbent Mind was Maria Montessori’s most in-depth work on her educational theory, based on decades of scientific observation of children. Anyone looking to better understand what’s happening in the minds of our budding babies will enjoy this read. https://archive.org/…/absorbentmind031…/page/n7/mode/2up

It is no surprise to see the children’s hunger to be outside after the egregious confinements of the Covid pandemic.  For decades, expert leaders in every field have been unanimous in their counsel to ensure children have as much time as possible outdoors – and that means roaming freely, not just in learning groups.  It is our job, as caregivers to ensure environments in which they are able to do so.  You may note that our playground was developed after

“If teaching is to be effective with young children, it must assist them to advance on the way to independence.  It must initiate them into those kinds of activities which they can perform themselves and which keep them from being a burden to others because of their inabilities.  We must help them to learn how to walk without assistance, to run, to go up and down stairs, to pick up fallen objects, to dress and undress, to wash themselves, to

“We don’t stop to think that the child who does not do, doesn’t know how to do.” – Maria Montessori   We sometimes marvel at the ability of a particular child to do something considered “advanced for his/her age”. However any adult who has quietly observed in a Montessori classroom has witnessed many capabilities considered advance by those not familiar with Montessori education. Why is this? Very simply, because our children are shown how! However there are many very specific

The reason children are little affected by Covid is that they are free from fear.  As Aline Wolf stated in her book Nurturing the Spirit in the Non-sectarian Classroom, what you tell a child, what you teach him, makes much less of an impression than your goodness, your kindness, your attitudes and temperament; anger and fear have a physiological effect, and our greatest concern in the current climate is that children will absorb fear and anxiety, which are far more harmful

Are you noticing all the lights and decorations in people’s yards and gardens? I’m sure I’m not the only one decorating outside for the first time. People turn naturally to light, like a flower to the sun, and the unprecedented sales in décor testify to this yearning to uplift spirits and celebrate a joy that cannot be eclipsed by a mere pandemic. Let’s stay focused on this joy, and the beauty it brings. – Kristin