{"id":89,"date":"2016-05-10T19:28:38","date_gmt":"2016-05-10T19:28:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/?p=89"},"modified":"2017-08-30T00:13:26","modified_gmt":"2017-08-30T00:13:26","slug":"a-joyful-start-to-the-montessori-journey-with-mmcm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/10\/a-joyful-start-to-the-montessori-journey-with-mmcm\/","title":{"rendered":"A Joyful Start to the Montessori Journey with MMC&M"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Camilla Nichols-Uhler and Alex Chiu<\/p>\n

This fall, The Montessori Children\u2019s Academy (MCA) proudly launched an exciting new program called Montessori, My Child, & Me<\/em> (MMC&M). \u00a0Designed for children ages 18-30 months, this program offers young children the opportunity to explore a modified Montessori environment with their parents or caregivers.\u00a0 MMC&M also provides the adults with an opportunity to learn about Montessori education and to see firsthand how it benefits children.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0157\"<\/a><\/p>\n

MMC&M sessions are 1 \u00bd hours once a week for eight weeks and are held in a classroom specifically designed for this younger age group.\u00a0 The classroom is a beautiful, welcoming environment equipped with specially designed furniture and materials that are the appropriate size for little arms and legs.\u00a0 Everything in the classroom is of the highest quality, obtained from renowned companies such as Hello Wood in Rickman, Tennessee and Community Playthings in Ulster Park, NY.<\/p>\n

During each class meeting, the children and adults are introduced to a sampling of age-appropriate Montessori materials from each of the five main learning areas found in a typical Montessori classroom: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Culture.\u00a0 However, the materials for the MMC&M classroom are adapted to meet the distinct needs and abilities of the young children in this special program.<\/p>\n

One example of a lesson modified for MMC&M participants is the Pink Tower from the Sensorial area.\u00a0 In the MMC&M classroom, the tower contains five cubes for our little explorers to use in order to build the tower from the largest cube at the bottom to the smallest cube at the top.\u00a0 In our MCA 3-6-year-old classrooms, the Pink Tower contains ten cubes, and the children learn to transfer one cube at a time from the shelf to their workspace.\u00a0 As children use this material, they gain a sense of sequence and order.\u00a0 When they are finished, they return the Pink Tower to its place in the classroom and arrange it in the same way that they found it when they began their work.\u00a0 This way it is ready for the next person to use.<\/p>\n

\"MMCM<\/a><\/p>\n

As our youngest MMC&M students began to learn the process for using the smaller version of the Pink Tower, the adults observed that this activity is so much more than what it appears to be on the surface.\u00a0 Many of the parents and adult caregivers marveled at how the children were able to follow directions, concentrate on the activity, and put away the materials in the appropriate place when they were finished!\u00a0 This is just one example of how Montessori engages the whole child in each activity.\u00a0 Gaining skills in independence, small and large muscle control, planning, and care of materials all are the essence of this seemingly simple lesson.\u00a0 And as our adults observed, even the youngest children can be successful when given the guidance and opportunity to take on new challenges!<\/p>\n

In addition to using a sampling of modified Montessori materials, the MMC&M children and adults participate in music, movement, art, and yoga activities under the guidance of a certified Montessori Head Teacher.\u00a0 Movement is an important aspect of the Montessori environment. \u00a0Studies have shown that children engaged in movement while learning are able to retain information more easily.\u00a0 In Montessori classrooms, the children often are moving to choose and complete their work. \u00a0Movement provides time to release energy, to think, and to plan.<\/p>\n

Within the MMC&M classroom, children have many opportunities to move and to develop their large motor skills as they crawl through a tunnel, push a carpet sweeper, or balance a wooden wheel on a yellow line. \u00a0The MMC&M children also practice yoga poses and participate in a variety of songs and games that allow them to move their bodies in controlled, purposeful ways.\u00a0 At the same time, they are having quite a lot of fun!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_1880\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not only the children who benefit from participating in the MMC&M program. The adults also glean a great deal of knowledge not only about Montessori but also about their own children. By welcoming parents and caregivers into the prepared Montessori environment and guiding them while their children explore the materials, the adults are given the opportunity to see their children through a different lens.\u00a0 This allows them to come to a deeper understanding of their children\u2019s needs and unique capabilities.<\/p>\n

\"MMCM<\/a><\/p>\n

During the course of the morning, the parents and caregivers are invited to visit the cozy adult area that offers a comfy couch, lounge chairs, and a coffee table. There, with a cup of coffee or tea, they can sit back and observe the classroom in action.\u00a0 Past participants have told us that by taking note of how the classroom is organized and seeing the types of child-sized tools we provide, they have learned how they can model the Montessori layout in order to promote their children\u2019s independence at home.\u00a0 There are some simple things parents can do to adapt the kitchen, bathroom, and child\u2019s bedroom to facilitate more practice with important daily life skills.\u00a0 As Dr. Montessori once said, \u201cThe essence of independence is to be able to do something for one\u2019s self\u201d. By modeling the Montessori environment at home, parents give their children the gift of independence, as well as a sense of pride in being able to do things for themselves.<\/p>\n

The adults in our MMC&M program also have the opportunity to peruse Montessori resources, including books and articles related to the Montessori philosophy and methodology, and to read a collection of parent testimonials from current and former Montessori parents. Through observation and in conjunction with the parent education materials provided and guidance by the Head Teacher, the adults can witness how the Montessori environment addresses the needs of the children and fosters their natural curiosity, making learning meaningful and fun! They can also begin to build a bridge between home and school by implementing what they see in the MMC&M classroom in their own homes and family routines, which is one of the main goals of the program.<\/p>\n

The Montessori Children\u2019s Academy plans to expand the successful Montessori, My Child, & Me<\/em> program in the future so that it is available at all three of our campuses\u2014Morristown, Chatham, and Short Hills.\u00a0 We are excited to offer even more parents the opportunity to join our community and to embark on a beautiful Montessori journey together with their children.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_1881\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth.\u00a0<\/em>From this almost mystic affirmation there comes what may seem a strange conclusion: that education must start from birth.\u201d \u00a0<\/em>~ Maria Montessori<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: Camilla Nichols-Uhler and Alex Chiu This fall, The Montessori Children\u2019s Academy (MCA) proudly launched an exciting new program called Montessori, My Child, & Me (MMC&M). \u00a0Designed for children ages 18-30 months, this program offers young children the opportunity to explore a modified Montessori environment with their parents or caregivers.\u00a0 MMC&M also provides the adults […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":91,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[28],"tags":[29,26,30,38,41,25,37,4,31,36,40,34,11,9,18,35,6,32,12,39,33,8],"coauthors":[13,27],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_0153.jpg?fit=2592%2C1936&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7icff-1r","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1235,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/29\/the-absorbent-mind-supporting-mcas-youngest-learners\/","url_meta":{"origin":89,"position":0},"title":"The Absorbent Mind: Supporting MCA\u2019s Youngest Learners","author":"Tori Inkley","date":"December 29, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"by Bernadette Fasolas, Director of Hiring and Montessori Educationand Tori Inkley, Executive Director \u201cAbsorbent Mind\u201d is a term coined by Dr. Maria Montessori to describe the natural absorption of information by a child from birth through the age of 6 years. A child in this age range has been described\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Early Child Education"","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/MMCM1.jpg?fit=440%2C650&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1414,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/08\/independence-in-the-early-childhood-montessori-classroom\/","url_meta":{"origin":89,"position":1},"title":"Independence in the Early Childhood Montessori Classroom","author":"Tori Inkley","date":"January 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Camilla Nichols, Senior Director of Montessori Development \u201cHow does he achieve this independence? He does it by means of a continuous activity.How does he become free? By means of constant effort\u2026Independence is not a static condition; it is a continuous conquest,and in order to reach not only freedom, but\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care of Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Care of Environment","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/care-of-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Independence6.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":603,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/14\/reflections-at-the-montessori-childrens-academy\/","url_meta":{"origin":89,"position":2},"title":"Reflections at The Montessori Children’s Academy","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"January 14, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"As we enter this new year, we thought we\u2019d take a look back at just some of the MCA special events and highlights from September through December. In just a few short months, the children have experienced so much both inside and outside of the classroom. Reflecting upon the fall\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Early Child Education"","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/FIREFIGHTER-VISIT-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":249,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/09\/the-prepared-environment\/","url_meta":{"origin":89,"position":3},"title":"The Prepared Environment","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"September 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Be prepared!\u00a0 This is the motto for scouting organizations worldwide.\u00a0 Maria Montessori would have a said \u201cSi Preparato!\u201d in her native Italian tongue.\u00a0 And this is the message that Dr. Montessori shared with educators as she created her Casa di Bambini for the children she first taught.\u00a0 Providing a carefully\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Montessori Philosophy"","block_context":{"text":"Montessori Philosophy","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/montessori-philosophy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"What is Montessori, Montessori classroom, Montessori preschools","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/IMG_1402.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/IMG_1402.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/IMG_1402.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/IMG_1402.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/IMG_1402.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":581,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/01\/the-gifts-of-a-montessori-education\/","url_meta":{"origin":89,"position":4},"title":"The Gifts of a Montessori Education","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"December 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"By Alex Chiu During this busy holiday season, many people find themselves frantically searching for \u2018that perfect gift\u2019. They are looking for the right size, color, and fit. Or they are trying to find something unique and one-of-a-kind. Some parents have their children write out wish lists of items they\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Early Child Education"","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1267,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2024\/03\/25\/practical-life-for-life-how-montessori-students-learn-to-care-for-themselves-and-the-world-around-them\/","url_meta":{"origin":89,"position":5},"title":"Practical Life for Life: How Montessori Students Learn to Care for Themselves and the World Around Them","author":"Tori Inkley","date":"March 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jacqueline Pisciotto, Early Childhood Head Teacherand Becky Weaver, Early Childhood Head Teacher \u201cIt is interesting to notice that where life is simple and natural and where the children participate in the adult\u2019s life, they are calm and happy.\u201d ~\u00a0Maria Montessori Cleaning mirror work \u201cSo, my daughter said she has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Care of Environment"","block_context":{"text":"Care of Environment","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/care-of-environment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/PL-Cover-Pic.jpg?fit=408%2C304&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=89"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":491,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89\/revisions\/491"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=89"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=89"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=89"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}