Author: Joshi Haskell

The founders of Google contribute their success to their Montessori beginnings. (It doesn’t hurt that they also went to Stanford.) But what is it about their Montessori beginnings that so impacted their lives that they credit the Montessori experience for their phenomenal success?

We can pick five things out of the extensive list of Montessori benefits that can herald such accomplishment.

Dealing with failure

First, dealing with the fear of failure. The fear of failure alone stops many from taking the first steps of success. Montessori children learn that making mistakes is not fatal or final but that it is a part of the learning process. And you pick yourself up and start all over again. No red exes, no frowny faces, no “poor” grades but the opportunity to try again and again if necessary. (Interestingly, the 3M Company created a multi-million dollar product line from a failure of glue that didn’t stick – Post-it Notes.)

Finishing what you start

The second entrepreneurial success skill that emerges from a Montessori education is the ability to finish what you start. There are no “F’s” to take and move on. You camp where the learning happens until the learning happens. There are no penalties for taking time to learn. Then you learn it and you learn it well. Mastery, rather than passing, is a skill set to be learned. You not only finish but you learn to finish well.

Confidence

The third benefit is a sense of confidence which is largely built on these first two. Whether you are a fast and furious learner or a steady as she goes learner your continued success builds a sense of confidence that permeates your life.

Taking initiative

The fourth benefit of this education is the development of initiative – to try new things, to try them on your own, to try them with friends but nevertheless to try. Initiative is not waiting for someone to always tell you the next step or give you permission to move but to see the next step, to see a new step or to see a whole new way and to adventure out. Having dealt with the fear of failure, taking initiative is not nearly as scary (or boring) as doing nothing.

Being independent

Will your Montessori child have the astronomical financial success as the Google founders? Maybe. Possibly. But maybe more importantly they will have developed these skills that will give their life a sense of direction, of control, of purpose, of contentment, challenge, satisfaction and even happiness which is a tremendous return on your investment in Montessori and its entrepreneurial benefits.

By Edward Fidellow 

This academic year, FMSL created a Strategic Planning Committee to ensure that the Foothill Montessori of Salt Lake continues to thrive and meet its mission in the future.

The Strategic Planning Committee is made up of FMSL administrators and parents working together to address urgent and long term goals. Currently, the Strategic Planning Committee is prioritizing review of Facilities, Curriculum and Instruction, Authentic Montessori Philosophy, and Administrative Roles and Responsibilities.

By creating subcommittees of its members, the Strategic Planning Committee is reviewing current facilities – such as updating HVAC systems and potential expansive building renovations; working on reviewing current curriculum and instruction, working closely with FMSL’s amazing teachers; and reviewing the roles and responsibilities of administrators.

The Strategic Planning Committee will provide updates to the FMSL community through the newsletter on a regular basis and welcomes feedback, ideas, or other inspiration from our community!

If you are passionate about any of these issues and would like to participate on a subcommittee, or provide feedback, please contact strategicplanning@mcsslc.com.

Sometimes, the instinct is to avoid talking to children about tough stuff on the news because we don’t want to upset them or maybe we don’t know where to start.  It’s important to provide children:

• Accurate, age-appropriate information
• Time and opportunity to ask questions
• Assurances that they are safe and they are loved

Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary. – Fred Rogers

How you can help your early childhood aged child to understand what they are hearing and seeing- from Natalie Carver, Montessori Guide

“I encourage you to tell them they are safe if they seem worried. You don’t need to use many words, and try to only answer the actual questions they ask. Be honest, concise, and speak as simply as possible. That is developmentally appropriate. Remember the world is so very new for these little ones, and they don’t have the perspective to understand that if it is really happening that it isn’t going to happen to them. They assume everyone lives down the street, including those who are in peril on the TV. I encourage all of you to save having the news on until after the little kids are in bed, or read the news on your phone instead. Children see these repeated images on the TV and their first impression is that they are actually happening over and over again (because the same clips of violence and destruction are going to be shown again and again). They do not know it is the same video being replayed. They also have a hard time knowing what is real and what is not real. You can help them understand this. Again, It is best to be honest and calm. They also naturally believe what adults say, including those adults on TV. It can be scary for them.“