MONTESSORI PARENTING GROUP

Montessori Parenting Group

Social Emotional Learning is a buzzword in early childhood education these days and for good reason. SEL refers to the child’s ability to manage themselves socially and emotionally, which obviously is going to be foundational to a child’s ability to be successful in learning environments – whether preschools or day care centers.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) identifies five competencies of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.

Montessori is a very specific early childhood program (0-6) that stimulates development, early learning and the acquisition of independence and emotional self-regulation. In other words, Montessori is perfectly attuned to and promotes Social Emotional Learning.

The Montessori method was developed by the first female physician in Italy, Dr Maria Montessori, over 100 years ago. Her curriculum sought to develop the whole child in relationship to their environment. Through careful observation of the child, Montessori was able to discern how the child’s self-directed exploration of their enriched environment enabled a child to concentrate deeply and ultimately develop the feeling of calm confidence that follows engagement with a task. By providing very specific materials perfectly aligned with the child’s developmental level and sensitive periods, the child is also well on their way academically.

My Montessori Parenting Group will enable you to learn the Montessori philosophy and principles and understand your child’s planes of development and sensitive periods, along with the three-period lesson. Whether or not your child is enrolled in a Montessori school, you will learn how to bring the philosophy and curriculum into your home.

Weekly groups will guide you in development of awareness of yourself as your child’s first teacher, including setting up a safe, enriched environment in your home that will allow and guide your child’s natural unfoldment into a self-managing, independent person. We will also focus on Montessori materials suitable for your growing child, including ways to find inexpensive materials. In addition, group members will benefit from meeting other parents and families.

An introductory session (at no charge) will be held Friday, October 25th from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Casa Verde Commons House, 1355 Lindenwood Grove, Colorado Springs.

Pre-registration is required. Call 719-963-0428. Onsite child care is available for a fee.