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Author: Joshi Haskell

Great Summer Reading….Teaching Kids Empathy

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Blog, Parent Education.

I happened upon this lovely little post from Tinybop this morning that shares the most wonderful list of children’s books that teach empathy.  These are hard times and an important time to teach our kids how to handle the world’s turmoil in a healthy way.  What a great summer read!

13 kids books to spark conversations about empathy

Lately, it seems like every other day, we turn on the news or open up our social media to find that another tragedy has occurred. Each time we’re faced with these events, we may be overcome with sadness, frustration, and hopelessness. But in these times, it’s important to have conversations with the children around us about inclusion and empathy.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It’s what helps us connect to other humans, and what makes us better humans. You may be surprised to learn that empathy isn’t an inborn trait, but rather one that must be learned – preferably during early childhood.

Keep reading…

Stay Cool!

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Announcements, Blog, Parent Education.

Our Summer Camp students know how to stay cool! This last month, despite the heat, we have been able to enjoy various field trips and activities that have allowed us to have fun and cool off!

We hope everyone is enjoying their summer and finding their own creative ways to stay cool and spend fun time together. It is hard to believe the new school year will be starting soon!We would love to encourage you to allow your students’ creativity, energy, and thirst for learning and exploring guide and motivate you to new ideas and adventures.

Allow your student(s) time to engage themselves in the outdoors. Get up into the mountains and cool off with a new nature hike, bike ride, fishing, etc.

Also, find creative indoor activities such as beadwork, noodle art, painting, or simply reading together.

Other great ideas are places such as the Discovery Gateway, Clark Planetarium, and various splash pads.

Ultimately, stay cool, be active, and enjoy time with one another before the hustle the new academic year brings. Have a great weekend everyone!

Montessori Education-Trevor Eissler

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Blog.

Montessori education is unique, untraditional, and gaining popularity across not only the state of Utah but the entire country.  During parent interviews we often ask parents “What are your hopes and dreams for your child?” and the following is among the list of heartfelt responses that we often receive:

  • To develop leadership skills
  • To develop self-discipline
  • To develop a sense of personal responsibility
  • To develop independence
  • To develop initiative
  • To discover their passions
  • To develop a lifetime love of learing
  • To build a strong academic foundation

Classrooms at Montessori Community School offer all that and more as we strive to follow each individual child, carefully prepare an environment that supports each of these goals, and work as a community in the best interest of each individual.

Parents, Stop Feeling That Everything You Do Is Wrong

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Blog, Parent Education.

“You should look down at the rocks and make sure they never crash against them, and prepare them to ride the waves.”
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg

 

Let’s be honest, this parenting gig doesn’t come with a description of roles and responsibilities that make it completely clear what is expected at all times.  Giving our absolute dedication and best effort just doesn’t look the same from day to day (or moment to moment!)  Throw your hands up (or hide in shame) if you have ever ended the day thinking “I am an awful person…my child probably went to bed thinking how awful I am and they don’t feel safe and they don’t feel happy and I’ve ruined everything.”  Just me?  Didn’t think so.

This article really spoke to me in terms of how we can (and should) give ourselves a break.  News flash – we are raising our kiddos to be humans.  Giving them human experience, whether we feel good about it at the end of the day or not, is essential to their success and existence.  I have decided that I have three main goals, call them standards if you wish, for parenting:

  1. Do I honor my child for the person that they are every moment?  (You can’t imagine the number of parents I’ve met who wish their child was different…if you are talking poorly about your child any time you might be doing it wrong.  Not just parenting – but life.) Am I willing to see them change at their own pace and will I fight for their authenticity? Yes – to the death!
  2. Have they heard me say “I’m sorry” and have they watched me make effort at being better? EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Admitting we are wrong shows our kids that it’s okay to make mistakes and that doing so in our care is a safe place to do it.  We accept mistakes as opportunities to do better.
  3. Do I follow my own guiding set of principles and give myself a break for being imperfect?  Hmmm…principles, yes.  Giving myself a break…work in progress.

I am the first to admit that I am imperfect and I question myself constantly when it comes to parenting.  But at the end of the day, I really do think that there is more than one right way. My wish for you is that each day ends with perfect love, even when everything else seems to have gone awry.

Best wishes for a fun-filled weekend,
Britney

My props to Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg and his Lighthouse Parenting strategy, a true delight and inspiration.  His methods are discussed at length in Raising Kids to Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust.  (MCS parents – don’t forget to log in to your Compass account to place your Amazon order.)

Montessori Madness – Trevor Eissler

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Announcements, Blog, Community News, Get Involved (P.S.A), Parent Education.

Montessori education is unique, untraditional, and gaining popularity across not only the state of Utah but the entire country.  During parent interviews we often ask parents “What are your hopes and dreams for your child?” and the following is among the list of heartfelt responses that we often receive:

  • To develop leadership skills
  • To develop self-discipline
  • To develop a sense of personal responsibility
  • To develop independence
  • To develop initiative
  • To discover their passions
  • To develop a lifetime love of learing
  • To build a strong academic foundation

Classrooms at Montessori Community School offer all that and more as we strive to follow each individual child, carefully prepare an environment that supports each of these goals, and work as a community in the best interest of each individual.

 

 

 

 

Preparing Our Kids for Jobs That Don’t Exist Yet

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Blog, Parent Education.

Childhood passions that seem like fads, sometimes even totally unproductive, could be mediums for experiencing the virtuous cycle of curiosity: discovering, trying, failing and growing.

A Montessori education is designed to provide a love of learning and to give children the means to find the information they need.  We hope to instill a passion for knowledge and the confidence to seek understanding. We provide avenues for curiosity about this big, beautiful world and all it takes to make it tick.  Our objective is to give children the tools they need to follow any dream they may have.  The reality is, they probably won’t choose a career and spend an entire lifetime at it….thats just not how the world is turning anymore.

This really fun article shows one perspective on preparing our kids for what (might be) to come!

United as Parents

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Blog, Parent Education.

We, unfortunately, missed the opportunity on June 1 to honor all parents around the globe for the “Global Day of Parents.”  I found this short blog post on Montessorium very sweet as the things that unite us as parents and that we likely all have in common included:

1. A sense of wonder at bringing a new life into the world.
2. Joy in the small, daily accomplishments of a child.
3. Trepidation about the responsibility parenthood brings.
4. Hope for their child’s future.
5. A desire to see their family grow in health and happiness.

And so, just a few weeks late but with extra attention due to the heartache and disunion going on around the world, I feel inclined to stand as a global citizen and honor my fellow parents throughout the world.

Keep shining,
Britney

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education…”

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Blog.

“Everyone talks about peace but no one educates for peace. In this world, they educate for competition, and competition is the beginning of any war. When we educate to cooperate and be in solidarity with one another, that day we will be educating for peace.”
María Montessori
 
Each year MCS staff and students decorate peace flags, share a peace walk through our campus, and hang a peace dove in our gardens as a way to support, honor, and celebrate peace on earth. Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times, Dr. Montessori was a strong advocate for peace. She firmly believed that the education of children was the key to future peace. Her vision was the reconstruction of society and formation of world peace through education.
A teacher walks with Toddler students past our Outdoor Classroom where the student’s peace flags have been hung.
Upper Elementary students prepare to carry the Peace Dove to the Outdoor Classroom, where it will be visible to the Salt Lake Community.
An Early Childhood student decorates a peace flag with images that remind her of peace.  Her flag will be hung outside with the intent of spreading love and peace.
Another peace flag.
Elementary students help their younger peers locate their flags in the Outdoor Classroom, where the breeze blows the students wishes for peace.
Siblings share a moment.
Friendship is honored and celebrated.

The Montessori Method: An Education For Creating Innovators

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Blog.

Imagine an education system that trained students to be creative innovators and leaders without the use of grades, tests or homework. It actually exists and it’s called the Montessori Method.

The Montessori Method focuses on fostering a hands-on, self-paced, collaborative and enjoyable learning experience. It teaches students to start small with their ideas, to build them through experimentation and to solve the problems that come up along the way with a sense of stimulating curiosity.

Read more here.

What a Fun Run!

Written by Joshi Haskell on . Posted in Blog.

An obstacle course bounce house, the new format for the Fun Run this year, was a great success with all the Early Childhood and Elementary students. They were so enthusiastic in their participation and we were quite impressed with how many times so many of the children completed the course. Several parents came to cheer on their children and that of course made them want to complete extra laps.

 

As the course was not suitable for the Toddlers, they ran their laps on their own playground and once they got the idea they ran with great enthusiasm. They got so excited it was a challenge to get them to stop in the end!

 

 

With the online pledges to date plus individual donations already handed, in the students have earned over $5,500! We are still shooting to meet our goal of $7,000 and would appreciate your support. Please be sure to get your pledges turned in as soon as you are able – our goal is within reach!

 

 

Donations may be made through the website, www.mcsfunrun.org, or turned in directly to the office in the form of cash or check (payable to Montessori Education Foundation, or MEF). We will of course accept donations that will be used exclusively for our grandmothers Elvira and Anita and our students in Ethiopia at any time. Your students’ efforts, along with all your support will make such a huge difference in the lives of those served by these contributions.

 

 

Robyn