It feels like an inappropriate time to be blogging. The senseless war in Ukraine, the loss of life and the loss of personal security is unfathomable. It can be difficult to know how to help. Today we are donating to the UNHCR Ukraine appeal. Please leave a link, especially if you have personal experience of agencies we can support in and around Ukraine. I found this article useful Talking to Kids About Hard Things by Emily Oster.
For many people, Etsy shops are their only source of income. Marina from Wooden Toys for You in Kyiv (we love their Continent Boxes) has been in touch to share #GodBlessUkraine and #PrayForUkraine Digital Download posters. Please share and support as you are able. Print and display your poster and stand with the people of Ukraine.
The flooding in Queensland and Northern NSW has been terrifying. The flooding has been widespread, lives have been lost and there is more rain to come. Today we are donating to the Red Cross Qld and NSW Floods Appeal. I've seen first-hand how the Australian Red Cross helps those who have lost homes and livelihoods from flood and fire, they are on the ground helping.
Personally, life has been tough too. I've spent the last four days in the Cardiac Ward at the Blacktown Hospital (not close to home). I'm completely fine now but the Cardiac Ward is a challenging and confronting place to be. I am beyond grateful for all of the Nurses, Doctors, Paramedics, Sonographers and hospital support staff who work long hard hours to save lives, and do it with grace and compassion. Wherever you are in the world, I hope that you are with your family (hold them close), dry, healthy and safe.
If you are in the blog-reading mood, here are a few links and things that I wrote earlier.
This classroom is beautiful. Above the Imagine Montessori School in Paterna (Valencia), Spain by Gradolí & Sanz Architects, photographs by Mariela Apollonio. More at METALOCUS.
It looks visually stunning, calm, natural, raw and pared back. The building structure is completely neutral.
The positioning of the window reminds me of this project, it's the ideal height for the children who work here.
I love reading children's science books. We didn't have any books about gravity so I ordered Ouch! Tales of Gravity by Kate Simpson and Andy Hardiman (worldwide here).
It explains what gravity is and how it works at the level for primary age children at around 5-8-year-old. It's perfect for a science/gravity unit or just for your children's reading shelves or school library.
If your child liked pegging toys as a toddler they might like the Miniland Pegs and Worksheets (AU here). It's fantastic for developing concentration, fine motor skills and the pincer grip. This one is recommended for 3-6yrs. Otto pictured here is 4yrs and this is one of the rare shelf type work that he is choosing right now (the others being playdough, knitting and scissor work).
Have you seen the new Play Studio at Bondi Junction? There are Montessori elements present in the space and in the activities. I think the art classes are our favourite, your child can get creative and messy and you don't have to clean up. Other than clean up your child! I'll share another post next week with more pictures.
A huge congratulations to Benedykt & Sylvester as their Subscription box has won the title of the best Montessori Subscription Box in the UK for 2022. Also to LOVEVERY who won the Best Toy Subscription category!! Shop Lovevery in the UK here. ❤️
A few other links and things I've been enjoying:
- During the pandemic lockdown longtime Montessori educator and former director of Dover Montessori, Margaret Kling decided to pen a children’s book series. “I try to keep the books all within the Montessori framework. These are not only fun books, but they are also learning tools for both kids and parents.” Montessori Marcy: Without A Sound and Montessori Marcy: Be A Climate Crusader, recommended for children 2-6yrs.
- Montessori Births at Montessori Education. Birthing perspectives from Montessori educators including Pamela Green from Ananda Montessori. Nicole's writing about the newborn days is just beautiful too.
- "Yet the obvious irony of Montessori’s crusade on behalf of the poorest and least powerful in society is that its most visible legacy is selective private schools for the élite." - The Miseducation of Maria Montessori: Her method was meant for the public. Then it became a privilege. By Jessica Winter at The New Yorker.
- "Montessori, her brittleness and imperiousness notwithstanding, left the world a gift of perspective—of centering the potential of a child. Part of what is moving about her method, especially in its inception, is that the inherent value of children is the given from which all else follows. It is the environment around the child that is seen to need amendment or improvement." - Every Child an Emperor: On Maria Montessori by Rivka Galchen at Harper's Magazine.
- Does your school have a nutrition policy? Sydney schools to introduce lunch box SUGAR BAN and parents are warned the treats WILL be confiscated at the Daily Mail. Featuring Sydney Montessori School.
I have some more light-hearted articles coming soon including practical life ideas and children's calendar options to help your week run smoothly.
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