Explore every episode of the podcast Montessori Education with Jesse McCarthy

In today’s Insta-worthy world, we tend to want to present things as always “perfect”. But in what fantasy land do children, or us adults, never mess up?

The reality is, real perfection includes falling down. And that’s why in Montessori it’s OK for children to make mistakes along the way, like accidentally spilling things.

What a missing boy taught me about childhood

As a teacher, what to do with a boy who’s cussing in the classroom?

Sandra Girlato’s got a funny and super insightful story on that.

As a parent, what to do with a child who won’t put on her shoes before leaving the house? Sandra got a story on that, too.

How to get children to eat any kind of food? She's got one on that.

How to help children care for others — genuinely, without lectures? She has a story around that, too.

If you don’t know Sandra Girlato — mom; grandma; Montessori teacher; Director of Training at Canada’s Foundation for Montessori Education, the organization founded by the late Renilde Montessori, Maria Montessori’s youngest granddaughter — then it’s time to get to know her.

Or at least to hear some of her awesomely insightful, and sometimes hilarious stories from over the last 30+ years of work with children.

“Remember that every day is a new day, and we can start again. Whatever you didn’t like from the day before just change it the following day.” Gaby Velazquez

Gaby is a longtime mom, AMI Montessori trainer for ages 0-3, and the guest on our latest episode of The Montessori Education Podcast.

A few of the topics/questions covered:
~“I just don’t have time — what do I do?”
~“Is my child behind language wise, and how do I aid him?”
~“Montessori at home — what’s that like?”
~”How do I help my child become a great eater?” “Did Maria Montessori herself have anything to say about early eating, e.g. baby-led weening?”

-What is a Montessori assistant -- what is his/her role?
-What happens when an assistant disagrees with a head teacher or guide -- and what happens when real conflict arises between them?
-Should assistants speak with parents, or is that solely the job of the head Montessori teacher or administrators?

These and other big questions about assistants in the Montessori classroom are asked and answered in this super practical yet also deep discussion about the job of an assistant.

Episode is especially for teachers and administrators (and curious parents) of children from birth through elementary.

Sometimes what we think is the problem is not really the problem.

Digging deeper into the things that might stress us out, that might bring on strong emotions.

"The real preparation for education is a study of one's self." Maria Montessori

"When you see good, collect yourself and absorb what you've witnessed. When you see what is ungood, allow yourself to feel the upset and then look within." -adaptation of Xunzi, student of Confucius

As a teacher or an administrator it’s wonderful to hear a mom or dad say, “I want to go back to school here.”

Today’s guest Bridget Dangel — longtime Montessori educator, school owner, and mom — shares her experience running a chill, home-like Montessori school that no doubt often brought on this kind of parent feedback.

We’re so focused on political life but what about our own personal lives?

As Maria Montessori said, “We all need to be changed.”

#children #parents #teachers #knowthyself

So many parents choose Montessori school for their children’s preschool and kindergarten years, but what about Montessori for elementary and beyond? 

What happens when you lose your cool on your child?
How do you get along with your significant other when there is disagreement?
Any concerns about Montessori?

These and more questions discussed with four Montessori dads.

From The Montessori Education Podcast with Jesse McCarthy | https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/dads-talk-montessori-and-parenting

"A few days ago during pickup at our little schoolhouse, a mom shows up to get her daughter, who is 3 yrs old. ..."

A story about how we treat children -- and how we might change things around for the benefit of us all

"You don't have to go Instagram worthy to raise a child. That is a lie."

A Montessori OG, Claudia Alvarez, speaks to today’s moms and dads...

Permission not needed.

I asked my wife, “Did you tell Kennedy to do that??”

Nope.

-from The Montessori Education Podcast with Jesse McCarthy | https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/kennedy-the-plant-masters-of-the-house

One little change can have an impact.

Jeff Bezos was a Montessori child -- and became one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history.

Is there a connection between early Montessori education and later success in business?

Our guest today, the ed-tech entrepreneur William Kelly, thinks there can be, if an individual chooses such a career path for his or her life.

And Will himself is proof, being a former Montessori child who now attributes much of his success as an adult to his Montessori schooling.

from The Montessori Eduction Podcast with Jesse McCarthy,  https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/montessori-entrepreneurs-in-the-making

#montessori #life

Interview with Janet Lansbury, author of 'No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame', host of 'Respectful Parenting - Unruffled Podcast', mother of three grown children, and great advocate of Magda Gerber’s Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE).

An example of how I interact with my toddler son #montessori #toddlers #freedom 

-The Montessori Education Podcast | https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/ragnar-at-the-zoo
-The Montessori Club | https://www.skool.com/montessori/about

On the show today are Angeline Lillard and Justus Randolph, two research professors who recently found some impressive results for children in Montessori school vs traditional school.

In the aftermath of the atrocities of WWII, Maria Montessori gave a speech.

Given the current state of the world, especially with the recent horrific attack on Israel -- really on all civilized human beings -- her talk is well worth hearing.

"... the monster does not come to life all of a sudden. It is not created in one moment, in one hour, in one week, even in one year."

No-nonsense answers to three Montessori parent questions from a live Q&A with Ginni Sackett and Jesse McCarthy:

-How much screen time should young children have, if any?

-What happens after Montessori school?

-How do we do Montessori at home?

“The real preparation for education is a study of one’s self.” Maria Montessori

Gaining big from Maria Montessori’s story about Granny..

Former Dean of Students, Head of School and President of the ultra selective $50,000 a year Sage Hill high school talks education and parenting.

One child is "too independent," the other has "high anxiety." What to do?

Clip from a parent Q&A at a recent live event..

https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/parent-questions-independence-anxiety

Is fantasy accepted in Montessori, or is it frowned upon, or is it welcomed with open arms?

The wonderful returning guest Ms. Ginni Sackett joins us as we dive into fantasy, imagination, pretend play and more in Montessori schools, homes, and beyond.

https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/fantasy-children

A conversation with one of the most experienced Montessorians alive today.

Mrs. Beverley McGhee is 94 years young and began in Montessori in the 1960s, when she and her husband started Alexander Montessori School in Miami, Florida.

Good, bad, in the middle, maybe even horrible ...

https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/are-playpens-montessori

“I always thought I’d send my kids to public school. But I’m probably not going to do that now.”

Andrew, who understandably didn’t want to share his last name for this discussion, has been an elementary school teacher for the past 10 years. But he’s recently started to question if what he and his public-school colleagues are doing is actually helping students — or holding them back.

With his own two young children (a toddler and a 5-year-old) now in Montessori school, and their showing incredible growth in it, Andrew believes he just might have found a successful alternative to America’s traditional system which, ironically, he is still a part of.

https://www.MontessoriEducation.com

Taking on critical questions and feedback...

-Can children be too confident? Should we be encouraging humility instead?
-Are Montessori children stronger academically and socially and emotionally, etc. because they come from higher SES (socio economic status), i.e. from richer families?
-Is it better to drill kids in school or allow them to follow their interests?
-And more...

From The Montessori Education Podcast with Jesse McCarthy | https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/montessori-pushback

"The Montessori child is a constructor, not a consumer ... he’s not waiting to be told things."

Get ready for a wonderful discussion with the incredibly experienced Amukta Mahapatra -- 50 years in education -- about how children learn in Montessori environments.

"This is officer Johnston. Everything is alright, but I have your son in my car."

Unwavering confidence — the child who decided to go shopping ALONE

Contact: https://www.montessorieducation.com/contact

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"What's important for us is not to meet the needs of the curriculum. It's to meet the needs of your child."

A deep dive into what learning is all about in Montessori school, with trainer Sandra Girlato...

Maria Montessori talks about her Montessori schools: play vs. work, mixed ages, freedom and discipline -- and more.

from The Montessori Education Podcast with Jesse McCarthy | transcript and references at https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/interview-with-maria-montessori

A popular TV personality talked trash about Montessori. I decided to answer his complaint..

To watch the video, https://www.montessorieducation.com/podcast/montessori-school-why-is-my-child-washing-dishes-all-day

What do you do when things get crazy or seemingly out of control with children, whether in school or at home?

Long-time Montessori parent, teacher and teacher-trainer Ginni Sackett shares her decades of experience to help bring the calm when all around seems to be chaos.

One chance day over a century ago, a young doctor named Maria Montessori was sitting in a classroom when she observed a child doing something very unusual. What followed would change the world forever..

“I think my never-to-be-forgotten impression was that experienced by one who has made a discovery.” Maria Montessori

Currently guiding teachers and parents in India (Mumbai), Zarin Malva has been working in Montessori education since her early 20s. She is now in her 80s. She has A LOT of wisdom to share about children.

A few topics in the discussion: observation; obedience and discipline; freedom within limits; saying sorry; lying.

Two examples of when things didn't go so well with children, and one when they did. (And a secret.)

Montessori babies - Montessori infants - Montessori toddlers. What is Montessori for the earliest -- and most developmentally important -- years of life.

The joy of learning math in Montessori

-Are academics even considered important in Montessori?
-How are reading and writing taught in a Montessori classroom?
-How does Montessori compare to traditional school in reading and writing?
-Is there anything parents can do with their children at home to excel in reading and writing?

What is Montessori like for teenagers (~ages 12 to 18), in middle school and high school?

During his time in jail Herc found purpose, eventually recreating himself into the man he is today.

In this interview, Herc talks about his growth and shares his take on a few issues that are relevant for all of us: parents, teachers, human beings.

A disorganized girl, and how she became organized

Follow the mother.

Let's all chill and enjoy this holiday season with children..

"When you're teaching there's nothing but teaching: you're in there, and it's you, and it's history, and it's students -- and everything else falls away." Meet Philip Daileader, star presenter at The Great Courses and lively history professor at William & Mary college

You ever get annoyed at a child?

If you're a Montessori teacher who is having challenges in the classroom -- say you have a disruptive child, or a loud child, or maybe a room full of disruptive, loud children -- then this episode is for you. (And if you're just a curious parent, you'll gain some too.)