Category: Toddlers

  1. Potty Training the Montessori Way

    Does potty training scare you to death? You are not alone! The thought of trying to get your busy toddler to sit still for any length of time let alone on a toilet to complete his “business” can be daunting and stressful at the very least! It’s probably a good bet that “potty training my toddler” is one… Continue Reading »
  2. A Typical Montessori Toddler Day

    It is common for parents of 2-3-year-olds to perceive a Montessori school as a daycare facility. It is true that toddlers receive good care at Villa Montessori Leesburg and spend some quality time away from home in the company of friends and teachers. However, Montessori classrooms offer much more than daycare facilities. Now you may… Continue Reading »
  3. What does “Follow the Child” Mean?

    If you are a parent interested in enrolling your child in a Montessori school, you will frequently come across the phrase “follow the child” in your research, as it is a core tenet of the Montessori Method and the foundation of Dr. Montessori’s philosophy.     “Follow the child. They will show you what they… Continue Reading »
  4. What is Normalization? A Montessori Perspective

    If you are a new parent to Montessori, the term “normalization” may seem scary and confusing. You may ask yourself, “Isn’t my child normal already?” Rest assured, normalization in no way implies that your child is not normal! Rather, it is an ongoing process of learning.                  … Continue Reading »
  5. Teaching the Montessori Way: The Three-Period Lesson

    Have you ever been curious as to how children learn in a Montessori setting?  The Montessori Three-Period Lesson (basically a lesson in three parts) is used throughout the Montessori environment to help introduce a new concept and lead the children along a path to understanding and mastery.  Villa Montessori Leesburg uses the Three-Period Lesson extensively (but not exclusively)… Continue Reading »
  6. Top 5 Differences Between Montessori and Traditional Education

    Providing a strong base for lifelong learning is essential to a child’s future success.  Studies show that children are more successful in school and beyond when given a strong foundation in the earliest years of their lives.  The Montessori philosophy centers around helping children develop cognitive, social, and physical abilities to help build this foundation. Villa Montessori Leesburg… Continue Reading »
  7. Cooking with Your Toddlers and Preschool-Aged Children

    Our lives today seem to be a whirlwind as we get back to work and the kids get back to in-person learning.  Once again, we find ourselves consulting our calendars to check and double check where we are supposed to be and at what time we need to be there.  After spending so much time at home,… Continue Reading »
  8. Independence and the Montessori Child

    “The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” — Dr. Maria Montessori You may already know that Montessori educators value and encourage independence even at the youngest of ages.  Why do we believe that independence is so important?  It’s simple really – the development of independence leads… Continue Reading »
  9. Discipline the Montessori Way

    The article below was first published in Tomorrow’s Child online magazine and is a perfect explanation of how discipline is handled in a Montessori environment.  Villa Montessori Leesburg provides our students with an authentic Montessori experience that follows the teachings and observations of Dr. Maria Montessori, which are brilliantly described here.  Enjoy the article! Montessori Discipline: Developing Inner Discipline Through Freedom… Continue Reading »