Guest Post By Dana Bettwy, LePort Parent

I have two children currently enrolled at the LePort Montessori campus in Woodbridge (the Irvine – Lake campus.) Our son just completed his second year, and our daughter, her first. 

Beyond finances, however, there are other factors as well—some that may not appear all that dramatic on the surface.  Still, I think these "less obvious" differences are critical to making an educated decision, one that is in your child’s best long-term interest.  Different aspects matter more or less for different parents.  For me, certain factors such as parent fund-raising, and the food they serve at school are incidental.  Social development, the learning environment and overall happiness of my child are the most important considerations for me.  Academics are important, but I am more interested "how" my child learns to learn at this stage in the game, as opposed to "what" they learn, per se. 

Read more: http://bit.ly/1auJ4cw

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Encouraging your childs independents

When toddlers and young preschoolers start in Montessori, parents are often amazed at the sudden spurt in independence and skill their children display.

If your child is starting in a Montessori toddler or preschool program, and you want to witness this incredible development in your own child, it helps if you are able to prepare your home environment in ways that support your child’s new skills and desire to be independent.

Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Provide simple storage spots for belongings right inside the front door.  A small rug to place shoes or a basket to put them into and some hooks to hang jackets are a great start.  This can help your child get out of the house and back in more independently, and maybe prevent some meltdowns!  A little stool to sit on helps, as well.

2. Make your kitchen accessible to your child.  Find a low shelf or drawer to store cups, placemats, and utensils within your child’s reach.  Buy glass cups and inexpensive ceramic plates (IKEA is great!) that you don’t mind getting broken.  Invite your child to set his own place at the table.  A bigger step stool, or a learning tower can be a great help to little people who want to join you in the fun cooking activities at counter height.  And, of course, when it comes time to sit down and eat, encourage your child to feed himself:  Even young toddlers can eat finger-foods on their own, and start using a spoon; this is what they do in their Montessori classrooms, too.

3. Organize and simplify the play area.  Fewer toys, displayed on open shelves, are preferable over lots of toys in boxes that the children can’t see.

4. Small chairs and tables facilitate independent snack time and organized playtime.  Provide some buckets, sponges, rags, and child-sized brooms, and your child can even clean up after himself.

5. Facilitate getting dressed independently.  Low open shelves, low racks, a mirror and a bench with brush or comb can enable even 2- or 3-year-olds to begin to dress independently, especially if you pre-select an outfit the night before, or lay out two simple choices for a younger child.

6. Consider a floor or other low bed.  Some Montessori parents never have cribs; instead, they baby-proof an entire room and let even infants sleep on a floor bed.  While this may not work for every parent, a low bed or a twin mattress on the floor can be a great step up after a crib, instead of a toddler bed.

7. Make books accessible and create cozy reading areas.  The more that books are all over your house, the easier it is for your child to grab a book instead of asking for your iPhone or the TV when you are not available to play.

To see growth in your child’s independence, it’s not necessary to reorganize your entire house (who has the time and energy for that?!).  Just pick one or two ideas and make little changes over time.  You might think your child is too young to take advantage of these kinds of opportunities for independence—but once she starts school, you might be just as surprised and thrilled as the LePort Montessori parents who wrote the Facebook posts above! 

Thanks to Bernadette, a LePort parent of three children, ages infant to preschool, for inviting us into her house to take many of these beautiful pictures!

Related Posts

• Transitioning to Montessori: Independence (Part 1 of 5)
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Why Don't Students Like School?

Anyone who is engaged in the process of teaching and learning in formal settings - as a teacher, as a student, or as a parent - knows that education is a complicated, messy endeavor. Those engaged in trying to make school work better for children try to learn from as many resources as possible. Daniel T. Willingham's Why Don't Students Like School attempts to use insights from cognitive science research to shed some light on teaching and learning. As he says, "We all read stories in the newspaper about research breakthroughs in learning or problem solving, but it is not clear how each latest advance is supposed to change what a teacher does on Monday morning." This book is Willingham's attempt to make those connections clear for teachers, and to help others think about policy arguments around educational philosophy and practice. He explains how students' minds work and how this knowledge can lead to better teaching and learning.

Read the whole article

Facts about education in developing countries and how it affects children and adults

An estimated 130 million of the world's 15- to 24- year-olds cannot read or write.

1. There are 781 million illiterate adults worldwide, and 64 percent of them are women.
2. Nearly 115 million children are out of school. Globally, some53 percent of the children out of primary school are girls, meaning that for every 100 boys out of school, 115 girls are in the same situation.
3. Of the 22 countries where more than half the population is illiterate, 15 are in Africa.
4. Only 14.4 percent of GDP per capita is spent on primary education worldwide.
5. About 75 percent of children out of primary school in developing countries have mothers who did not go to school.

Read more: http://www.compassion.com/poverty/education.htm

Tips for parents: Educating your child

Preparing for School 

• Ease Your Child into a New Routine. Have him or her go to bed at school-night bedtime a few nights before the first day. Set an alarm clock for the correct school wake-up time. 
• Try a School Bus Run. Go over your child's school bus route with him or her if it's going to be a first-time bus ride. Find out how long the ride is, and talk about things like bus safety. 
• Get Ready the Night Before. Establish a routine that requires your child to pick an outfit for the next school day, and to pack a book bag every night before bed. This will help eliminate any last minute rushing in the morning. 

Things to Consider Before the First Day of School

About the School

• Is your child registered? 
• Do you know when the first day of school is and what time it starts? 
• Have you completed emergency contact forms and sent them back to the school? 

Getting to and from School

• Have you reviewed safety precautions with your child regarding traffic and strangers? 
• If your child is riding a bike, does he or she know the school's rules for bicycles? 
• If your child is taking a bus, does your child know the bus route? Does your child know what to do if he or she gets lost? 
• Does your child know whether to come home or go to a babysitter after school? 
• If you're not home after school, does your child know who will be responsible for him or her, what the rules are, and how to get help in an emergency? 
• If your child is going to a babysitter, does he or she know how to get to there? 

Going to a New School

• Talk About It. Encourage your child to share his or her feelings. Talk about the excitement of starting at a new school, and discuss any concerns your child might have. 
• Take a School Tour. Call the school and arrange to tour the school with your child. Help your child find their way around the school and the location of their classroom and the bathroom. If possible, meet the teacher and principal. 
• Make a New Friend. If possible, introduce your child to a classmate before the first day of school. 

Homework

Helping Your Child Study

• Establish a Routine. Setting a regular time and sticking to it helps children complete their homework assignments. 
• Set the Mood. Ensure the room your child studies in is quiet, has plenty of light, and has school supplies close at hand. Remove distractions by turning off the television and discouraging social phone calls during homework time. 
• Show an Interest. Ask your child about school activities and talk about what was discussed in school that day. Take your child to the library to check out materials for homework, and make time to read with your child as often as you can. 

Monitoring Homework Assignments 

• Be Informed. Find out about the school's policy on homework at the beginning of the school year. Ask your child's teachers about the kind of assignments that will be given and what kind of time frame the children have to complete them. 
• Be Involved. Ask the teacher how you can help with homework. Be available to answer your child's questions, look over completed assignments, and encourage your child to share returned assignments so you can read the teacher's comments. 

Providing Guidance to Homework Assignments 

• Learn How Your Child Learns. Understand your child's learning style and develop routines that best support how he or she learns best. 
• Encourage Good Study Habits. Help your child get organized. Ensure your child has scheduled enough time to complete assignments. 
• Talk. Discuss homework with your child. Talking about an assignment can help your child think it through and break it down into small, workable parts. 
• Provide Encouragement. Find ways to support your child's efforts in completing assignments. 

Reading with Your Child 

• Make Reading a Priority. Let your child know how important it is to read regularly. Establish a regular time and place for reading. 
• Read to Your Child. Make time to read to your child on a regular basis. It is a great way to help develop a love of learning. 
• Ask Your Child to Read to You. Have your child read aloud to you. 
• Keep Reading Material Close By. Make sure children's books and magazines are easily accessible. Keep a basket of books in the family room, kitchen, or your child's bedroom to encourage him or her to read more often. 
• Visit the Library. Make visits to the library a regular activity and let your children select their own books. 
• Be a Reading Role Model. Read a lot. Let your child see you read and hear you talk about your books. 

Safe Internet Use 

• Do Your Research. Find safe and relevant sites and child-friendly search engines for your child to use. Bookmark them for easy access. 
• Make an Agreement. Create an agreement with your child that outlines which site he or she is allowed to visit, and which areas and activities are off-limits. Involve your child in this activity. 
• Stay Aware. Keep lines of communication open so you know what Web sites your child is visiting. Pay attention to his or her surfing habits. Let your child know that he or she can come to you in case of trouble. 
• Report Suspicious Activity. If you or your child encounter suspicious or dangerous situations online, report them to your Internet Service Provider and local police. 

Avoiding Conflict

• Listen. Encourage your child to talk about school, social events, other kids in class, the walk or ride to and from school so you can identify any issues he or she may be having. 
• Look. Watch for symptoms that your child may be a bullying victim. Be aware of signs such as withdrawal, a drop in grades, physical signs, or needing extra money or supplies. 
• Work with Others. Tell the school immediately if you think your child is being bullied. Work with other parents to ensure that the children in your neighborhood are supervised closely on their way to and from school. Talk to the teacher or school's guidance counsellor for some professional advice. 

Helping Your Child Prepare for High School

• Educate Yourself. Find out the requirements, choices, and processes involved in planning your teen's senior high school program with your child's teacher. Your teen will need your assistance and advice. 
• Plan Carefully. Some Grade 10 courses are prerequisites for more advanced high school courses. As well, certain programs enable students to meet entry requirements for post-secondary programs or acquire the knowledge and skills to enter directly into a career. Keep future goals in mind when planning grade 10 programs. 
• Prepare for Post-Secondary. If your teen intends to enter a post-secondary institution after high school, check the calendars of these institutions for admission requirements to plan his or her senior high school program accordingly. 

Helping Your Child Plan for the Future

• Even as an adult, career decisions can be overwhelming. Encourage your child and give them the time and space to make their own decisions. 
• Ask your teen about the kinds of careers they are considering and do not worry if it is accounting one day and nursing the next. They're thinking things over and imagining themselves in different roles. Encourage them to take this exploration a bit further. Help them learn more about these choices. Find out why these careers are attractive to them and look at other careers they may not have considered that could offer similar rewards. 
• Encourage your teen to think about the educational path they will need to follow to pursue the careers they're considering. Will they need to take certain subjects in high school to keep these options open? What kind of post-secondary education will they need? Where is the program offered and how long does it take to complete? 
• Know where you and your teen can go to explore options or get more information. A great place to start is Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) This Web site offers up-to-date career profiles, links to post-secondary institutions, complete information on students finance and links to a variety of interactive career planning tools.

Parents Can Help Boys Become Engaged Readers During the Summer Months

Prepared by National Middle School Association

Some parents believe that as boys enter the young adolescent years (10-15) they become less interested in reading and more excited about other activities. Yet, parents can stimulate their reading interests and build a foundation for reading achievement.

"The key is finding material that interests boys as they mature, and the summer is a great time to do that," urges Sue Swaim, executive director, National Middle School Association (NMSA). "Parents can be powerful teachers during the summer months since they understand their son's interests."

A recent study provides information that can guide parents in helping boys to greater literacy achievement.

"In studying a diverse sample of boys for one year, we found that they pursue literate activities outside of school in interesting and complex ways that adults do not always recognize," said Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, associate professor of English Education, Boise State University. "The condition boys seek in all activities, including reading, is a sense of connection or total engagement with a task or activity."

The study found that reading which appeals to boys includes:

• Electronic texts such as websites
• Visual texts such as graphic novels and comics
• Nonfiction, particularly with weird and wonderful facts

Mysteries and whodunits where readers know how the stories work"As we strive to develop reading skills and a love for reading in all students, it's important to find appropriate reading material for them, but material they will enjoy," said Swaim. "Otherwise, reading will become one more unappreciated task in their lives."

Swaim encourages parents to notice what boys like to read and encourage that type of reading. Specific steps parents can take include:

• Make available a variety of materials, including those mentioned above, newspapers, and magazines that connect with their interests. If a boy is involved in baseball, offer him the sports section of the daily newspaper, or bring home one of the many magazines that cover baseball. If he is becoming interested in cars, provide automotive magazines.
• Talk with your sons about the content of their reading in nonjudgmental ways. The study found that boys value conversation as a way to use reading. Once you provide reading material connected to their interests, it will be natural to discuss that information with them. It also gives them opportunities to build their oral communication skills.
• Read with your boys. Young adolescents still value examples set by their parents, and modeling behavior is a very effective way to teach. Set a time when everyone in the family reads together, even if it's just for 10 minutes a day, and focus on material that will interest your boys. Or, read a magazine or book that your son selects along with him and then discuss your impressions.

"It's especially important to encourage boys to read at this age, but reading is important for all young adolescents," Swaim said. "So, these strategies can also be applied to girls in your family. Summer is a good time to develop reading habits, and parents are the key to making that happen. Don't let your student's education stop during the summer months."

Why is Private School the Best Option?

What Are The Top Issues Facing The US Public School System Today?

1. Bullying

No matter what your age, the chances that you were bullied, or were a bully, are high. Children are children and don’t change drastically, even as decades go by. However, in today’s modern society, it’s a sad fact that bullies are keeping up with technology. No longer able to monitor children solely in the classroom and on the playground, teachers and administrators have to monitor children through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and be aware of bullying via text message. Because the laws are still vague when it comes to social media, many schools are writing policies and procedures regarding cyberbullying into their student handbooks.

2. Technology

It will still be another decade before we have teachers that have grown up with the same technology as their students. As it stands today, we have students in classrooms who are far more technologically advanced than their teachers. Students used to be entertained when a teacher rolled a television cart into the room and played a movie. An overhead projector was a stunningly modern piece of machinery. Today, teachers have to be more creative than ever to keep their students’ attention.

3. Too Many Children

As budgets shrink, class sizes grow. We expect our teachers to give the same quality education to 30 students as they gave to 15. If you’ve ever been in a classroom full of 30 children for 15 minutes, let alone a day, you’ll know that this task is next to impossible. With inclusion programs, general education teachers are expected to teach average students, gifted children and children who need accommodation in a single classroom.

4. Parent Involvement

For many teachers, it seems as though there is no happy medium when it comes to parental involvement. There are parents who can’t stay away, and parents who refuse to participate. Finding ways to encourage parents to participate in their child’s education, in a manner that supports learning, has been frustrating teachers for decades. Unfortunately, there has been on solution found that has worked across the board.

5. Funding

Many new teachers are shocked to find that the bulk of their classroom supplies will be paid for out-of-pocket or not purchased at all. As funding is cut, teachers are not only losing jobs, but classrooms are being merged, extracurricular activities are being eliminated and arts programs are being done away with. Many districts are using outdated textbooks; some are even asking children to share because there are too few to go around. Until the general public starts passing school levies, and the government steps up and provides adequate funding, the ones who will suffer are the students.

Ask any teacher and you’ll be given an arm’s length list of issues facing public schools in America. It’s unfortunate that a country that many consider to be the most powerful in the world, is so inadequately supporting the education of its future.

Nicole Morgan is a mom and career counselor, she blogs for mastersineducationguides.org where you can find information about masters of education programs. She enjoys finding her students unique career opportunities!