Top 4 Parent-Tested Tips for Handling a Picky Preschool Eater

Feeding a preschooler can be a challenging task. Picky eating is a common occurrence during the preschool years, and it can often leave parents feeling frustrated and worried about their child’s nutrition. However, there are effective strategies that encourage their picky preschool eater to develop healthier eating habits. If you have a picky eater at home, try some of these parent-approved strategies.

1. Positive Mealtime Environment

Creating a positive mealtime environment is crucial for addressing picky eating in Montessori preschool. Children often model their behavior after their parents, so if they see their parents enjoying a variety of foods, they are more likely to enjoy them as well. Eliminate distractions like screens and encourage conversation. Set a colorful table with attractive dishes, making the meal more appealing. Offering small portions of different foods allows your child to try a variety of items without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Creative Presentation

Preschoolers can be more willing to try new foods if they are presented appealingly. Cut fruits and vegetables into fun shapes or arrange them in colorful patterns on the plate that make the food more enticing. Offer dips like hummus, yogurt, or peanut butter as accompaniments for fruits and vegetables.

3. Involve Your Child

When Montessori preschoolers have a say in what they eat and help with food preparation, they are more likely to be interested in trying new foods. Take your child grocery shopping and involve them in selecting fruits, vegetables, and other items. Encourage your child to help in the kitchen. Even simple tasks like washing vegetables or stirring can make them feel better about the food. Organize “tasting” sessions at home where you and your child try new foods together.

4. Food Variety

Variety is key when dealing with picky eaters. Offering a range of foods not only ensures they receive a balanced diet but also increases the chances of them finding new favorites. Rotate through different options to keep mealtime interesting. For example, if your child refuses broccoli one day, try another vegetable the next. It may take several attempts before a child is willing to try a new food, so be patient and persistent. Provide healthy snack options like fresh fruits, yogurt, and whole-grain crackers that bridge the gap between meals and ensure your child receives proper nutrition.

Handling a picky preschool eater can be a challenging experience for parents, but it’s important to approach it with patience and creativity. Remember that picky eating is a phase for many children, and with consistent effort and a nurturing approach, it can be successfully navigated.

How Do Teachers Promote Reading Skills in Montessori Preschool?

Reading is a foundational skill that opens doors to knowledge, creativity, and lifelong learning. In preschool, teachers play a pivotal role in promoting reading skills and cultivating a love for books among their young students. Let’s examine a few proven strategies teachers use to achieve this goal, to give you an idea of how the process works.

Create a Literacy-Rich Environment

A literacy-rich classroom is a space where reading is celebrated and readily accessible. Montessori preschool teachers decorate their classrooms with colorful, age-appropriate books, and they designate cozy reading corners with comfortable seating and soft lighting that encourage kindergartners to explore books independently and engage in quiet reading time.
Similarly, teachers display students’ artwork and written stories, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment. This visual representation of their literary efforts motivates children to become active readers and writers and is often combined with a daily reading routine, dedicating time for group story sessions and individual reading.

Differentiate Instruction

Preschools have students with varying levels of reading readiness. Effective teachers conduct regular assessments to identify students’ reading abilities and design lessons accordingly. For emergent readers, teachers use phonics-based activities to introduce letter-sound relationships and sight words. They engage children in interactive read-aloud sessions that enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills. Advanced readers benefit from more challenging texts and opportunities for independent reading. Montessori teachers offer a range of books at different reading levels, allowing each child to select materials that match their abilities and interests.

Foster a Love for Literature

Teachers ignite a passion for reading by selecting books that reflect various cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, fostering empathy and cultural awareness.
To nurture a love for literature, teachers often incorporate storytelling, dramatic readings, and discussions into their lessons. These interactive activities make reading a fun and interactive experience, enhancing comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Teachers also encourage students to express their thoughts and opinions about the stories they read. They ask open-ended questions, such as “What do you think will happen next?” or “How would you have solved that problem?” These discussions deepen children’s understanding of the text and encourage them to engage with books on a deeper level.

Teachers in private preschool classrooms promote reading skills by creating literacy-rich environments, differentiating instruction to meet individual needs, and fostering a love for literature. These strategies empower young learners to develop strong reading foundations, cultivate a lifelong love for books, and embark on a journey of intellectual curiosity and discovery.

How Does a Prepared Environment at Home Help My Child Succeed?

Creating a conducive preschool environment at home will influence a child’s success in various aspects of life. The concept of a prepared environment, often associated with Montessori preschool education, holds true beyond the classroom. When parents take intentional steps to cultivate a prepared environment at home, they provide a solid foundation for their child’s growth, learning, and overall well-being.

Promoting Independence

A prepared home environment empowers children to be independent. By arranging the environment with age-appropriate materials and tools, parents encourage self-directed exploration. Montessori preschool children can choose activities that pique their interest, fostering a sense of autonomy and a love for learning and effectively guiding parents and educators in providing material they find engaging.

Encouraging Order and Organization

A well-organized home environment reduces chaos and promotes a sense of order. When items have designated places and routines are established, children learn the importance of organization. This skill transcends into their academic life, aiding in time management, planning, and task completion. Assisting in keeping the environment in order also fosters creative thinking, problem-solving, and planning.

Fostering Concentration and Focus

A clutter-free environment minimizes distractions, enabling children to concentrate better. When a child is immersed in an environment designed for focused activity, they develop better attention spans, a crucial skill for academic success. 

Supporting Curiosity and Exploration

 A prepared home environment includes a variety of stimulating materials that encourage exploration. When children have access to books, art supplies, puzzles, and engaging activities, they become curious learners who are eager for new concepts and ideas. Similarly, a prepared environment is designed to fit the perspective of children, making access to materials easier, and passively guiding the child’s explorations.

Cultivating Responsibility

In a prepared environment, children are given age-appropriate responsibilities. Tasks like caring for plants, tidying up, or setting the table teach children responsibility and accountability. These qualities are transferable to their academic and personal lives.

Promoting Collaboration

An environment that encourages family participation and collaboration fosters important social skills. By involving children in tasks like meal preparation or home projects, parents create opportunities for teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution.

A prepared environment at home is a catalyst for a child’s success that extends beyond grades. By promoting independence, order, concentration, curiosity, responsibility, and collaboration, parents provide a nurturing space where their children can develop holistically. The principles of a prepared environment align with the core values of Montessori education, emphasizing the importance of a conducive environment. When parents thoughtfully arrange their home environment, they lay the groundwork for their child’s academic achievements, character development, and overall well-being.

3 Engaging Preschool Games That Teach KIds to Work Together

Preschool is a crucial time for children to develop essential social and emotional skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with others. Engaging preschoolers in fun and interactive games that promote teamwork not only enhances their social development but also lays the foundation for successful future relationships. To illustrate, take a look at these 3 exciting preschool games that encourage teamwork, cooperation, and communication, making learning a more joyful and inclusive experience.

1. Building a Friendship Fort

In this imaginative game, preschoolers work together to build a friendship fort using building blocks or large cushions. Montessori preschool children are divided into small groups, and each group collaborates to construct their fort. Encourage them to communicate and share ideas as they decide on the design and layout. As they work together, they learn the value of compromise, respecting each other’s perspectives, and appreciating everyone’s contributions. Once the forts are complete, the children can play inside, fostering social interaction, and further strengthening their newfound friendship bonds.

2. Animal Charades

Animal charades is a lively and interactive game that encourages teamwork and creativity. The children take turns acting out different animals without using words, while their peers guess the animal being portrayed. This game promotes cooperation as the children work together to support the actor, providing clues through gestures and expressions. It also enhances listening skills as the guessers attentively observe their friends’ actions. 

3. The Great Treasure Hunt

The Great Treasure Hunt is an exciting outdoor game that fosters teamwork and problem-solving skills. Create a treasure map with simple illustrations and riddles leading to hidden “treasures” within a designated play area. Divide the children into teams and provide each team with a map. Encourage them to work together to decipher the riddles and navigate the map to find the treasures. This game promotes communication, cooperation, and critical thinking as the children collaborate to solve the clues and achieve their common goal. Celebrate each team’s success and emphasize the importance of teamwork in reaching their shared objectives.

Engaging preschoolers in games that promote teamwork and cooperation creates a positive and inclusive learning environment. By collaborating with their peers, children learn essential life lessons such as communication, problem-solving, and empathy. These interactive games become memorable experiences that shape their early social development and lay the foundation for future successful relationships..

Top 4 Ways That Preschool Kids Practice Gratitude in the Montessori Classroom

Gratitude is an essential virtue that fosters positivity, empathy, and a sense of well-being in individuals of all ages. In the preschool classroom, children are encouraged to develop an attitude of gratitude from a young age. Cultivating gratitude in preschool children not only enhances their social and emotional development but also promotes a harmonious learning environment. 

1. Daily Reflection and Appreciation

In the Montessori preschool classroom, children begin their day with a moment of reflection and appreciation. They are encouraged to express gratitude for the people, things, or experiences they are thankful for. This practice helps children develop mindfulness and a positive outlook. Teachers often facilitate discussions and provide prompts to encourage children to express their feelings and share their appreciation.

2. Kindness and Empathy Exercises

Kindness and empathy exercises are an integral part of the Montessori curriculum and help preschool children develop a sense of gratitude towards others. Through activities such as caring for plants, animals, or classroom materials, children learn to appreciate the contributions of living things and their environment. Teachers also encourage acts of kindness, promoting empathy, compassion, and an understanding of their actions toward others.

3. Thank You Notes and Expressions of Appreciation

Preschoolers in Montessori classrooms often engage in the practice of writing thank you notes or expressing appreciation verbally. Whether it’s thanking a friend for a shared activity or expressing gratitude towards a teacher or parent, children are encouraged to acknowledge and articulate their appreciation. Through this practice, preschoolers learn the importance of recognizing and valuing the efforts of others.

4. Gratitude Journals and Reflections

Gratitude journals offer preschoolers an opportunity to cultivate an ongoing practice of appreciation. Children are encouraged to record moments of gratitude, such as happy experiences or acts of kindness they have witnessed or received. Teachers may guide children in reflecting on their entries and discussing the positive emotions associated with gratitude. Through journaling, preschoolers develop self-awareness, mindfulness, and an appreciation for the abundance in their lives. Gratitude journals provide a tangible reminder of the things they are thankful for, encouraging a positive mindset and nurturing a grateful heart.

Montessori preschool children learn to practice gratitude through daily reflection, kindness exercises, expressions of appreciation, and gratitude journals. These practices instill in them a sense of appreciation, empathy, and positivity. By fostering a grateful attitude from a young age, Montessori preschoolers develop valuable social and emotional skills that will serve them well throughout their lives, fostering a deep appreciation for the world around them.

4 Things You Can Do To Help Your Shy Child Prepare for Preschool

It is not unusual for children to experience a bit of trepidation when they begin attending preschool. It means spending more time away from home and parents, involves interacting with strange new people and ushering in a period of increased expectations and responsibilities. There are many causes of shyness, but there are also some well-proven solutions you can try to overcome shyness before the school year begins.

Why Are Some Children Shy?

Shyness in Montessori preschool children can have a variety of causes, including:

1. Temperament – Some children are naturally more reserved and cautious.
2. Genetics – Shyness can also be influenced by genetic traits.
3. Environment – Children who grow up in a highly structured or overly protective environment may be more likely to feel anxious or insecure in new situations.
4. Parental influence – Anxious or overprotective parents may reinforce shyness.
5. Developmental stage – Preschool-age children are still developing social skills and may feel shy or insecure in new social situations.

Preparing For Preschool

1. Socializing and Separation

Encourage your child to socialize with other children by scheduling playdates with other children around their age. This can help your child get comfortable with social interaction and make it easier to transition to preschool.

If your child is anxious about being away from you, practice short separations. Start by leaving them with a trusted caregiver for short periods and gradually increase the length of time.

2. Role-play Preschool Scenarios

Use playtime to act out preschool scenarios, such as sharing toys or introducing themselves to new friends. This can help your child practice social skills in a safe and familiar environment. Encourage your child to try new things and build confidence in their abilities. Praise them for their efforts, even if they don’t succeed right away.

3. Visit the Preschool

Take your child to visit the preschool before their first day to get them familiar with the environment. This can help reduce anxiety and make the transition smoother.

4. Read Books about Preschool

There are many children’s books that can help prepare your child for preschool. Reading these books together can help your child understand what to expect and feel more comfortable about starting school.

By following these tips, you can help your shy child feel more comfortable and confident about starting preschool. Remember that each child is unique, and it’s important to be patient and supportive throughout the process. Remember that shyness is a normal part of childhood, and many children outgrow their shyness as they become more confident and comfortable in social situations.

5 Telltale Qualities That Define an Authentic Montessori Preschool

Enrolling your child in preschool does not automatically guarantee that she will get the best– or even the most appropriate education. For that, you need to make sure that the school you are choosing is an authentic Montessori school. The good news is that there are distinct traits that indicate whether your school uses authentic Montessori, or is simply using the name to attract new enrollments.

1. Training and Certification

Montessori preschool teachers generally referred to as guides, undergo special training in addition to a standard educational degree. Unlike traditional public school teachers, Montessori guides are trained to observe the progress of children and to provide advice and guidance to help children succeed on an individual basis.

2. A Prepared Workspace

The prepared environment is an identifiable trait of the Montessori classroom. Everything is built or arranged around the perspective of children, including the furniture and wall decorations. Each activity has a place of its own, and the room is arranged to be intuitively simple for children to navigate through various activities on their own.

3. Consistency Counts

Consistency is a critical aspect of Montessori education, and is an extension of the prepared environment. Research shows that children prefer a consistent, predictable routine over being cast into random experiences. Montessori is based on intrinsic motivation rather than external influence because self-motivation leads to faster learning and longer retention of information.

4. Conferences Not Report Cards

Montessori schools do not send report cards home every few months. Instead, parents, teachers, and students hold regular conferences where the child’s progress and challenges are discussed in detail. The idea is that instead of arbitrary goals children are presented with identifiable expectations and shown how to achieve their goals.

5. Self-Directed Learning

And that leads to Montessori children– even those in preschool– having the ability to guide their own education, take charge of their own responsibilities, and learn using activities that are designed to enhance learning and promote self-directed activity. The result of self-directed learning is that the student guides are able to dedicate more one-on-one time to children who are having difficulty in a specific area.

It would be easier to locate Montessori schools if the name was trademarked, but the term was already in common use before the effectiveness of the Montessori Method had been widely understood. Today, the best way to identify a Montessori school is by its certification and the materials and philosophies used in class.

Winter Reading: How to Choose Books Preschool Children Will Love

Everyone has personal preferences and interests, even preschool children. The key for children is to let each child pursue topics by presenting them with a wide range of options and encouraging a love of reading at every opportunity. There are some things you can do to instill a love of reading, including these essential tips.

Observe your Children

If you want to instill a love for reading in your Montessori preschool children, start by paying attention to the subjects that interest them. Everyone is different, and forcing children to use books that don’t resonate with them directly may have a negative effect on reading aptitude and interest. You can still add things like bedtime stories, activity books, and books about development, but include a substantial number of books that connect more personally.

Talk to Teachers

Consistent communication with the teachers and staff at your child’s preschool will keep you informed of special events or subjects that the class will be focusing on during any given month. You can go a long way towards reinforcing the connection between home and school by adding books related to subjects that are being covered at school. You will also get some insight into books that promote the Montessori Method— both for yourself and for your children.

Appropriate Material

Anywhere you look, experts will advise you to stick to books that are appropriate, but you should keep in mind that this refers to more than just the age level of the book. Children will develop at different paces, and some children will learn to read sooner or later than others. But all children in a Montessori classroom are learning in the same– developmentally appropriate– ways. For example, colorful books about courtesy and grace fit well into the Montessori curriculum, as do stories about children discovering new things and ideas, and working out questions about life and social interaction as they go. If you must select from books written to specific age groups, keep in mind that your child will be older in due time and use their current age as the minimum age level of the book. 

It is very important for children to develop a love of reading when they are young. By paying close attention to what they love, and current events in their lives and classroom, you can foster that love. When children are presented with materials that have meaning at a personal level, they are drawn back to words repeatedly to discover what else this magical means of communication has to offer.

How Does Montessori Build Great Leaders in the Preschool Environment?

Montessori preschool environments are a bit different than you will find in traditional schools. Children learn at an early age to be responsible for themselves and take an active role in their own development. Although it may sound strange, becoming tomorrow’s great leaders begins by using self-directed, independent learning tools when they are young.

Learning Self-Organization

From the time they enter daycare, Montessori preschool children are encouraged to take care of themselves, clean up when an activity is finished, and the like. By following regular routines, children have a consistent environment for learning to follow rules and obey instructions. 

Confidence and Responsibility

As children learn to take more and more responsibility for their actions, they develop a healthy sense of self-esteem. By developing confidence in themselves, children are better able– and more willing– to take on new challenges, help other students, and assume leadership roles within the classroom. One of the goals of Montessori is to teach children to be independently functional, and that can only happen once the child has confidence in their own abilities.

Social and Emotional Development

Montessori addresses whole-child development. In addition to physical skills and academic lessons, children also begin developing social and emotional skills necessary for interacting with others. From the start, they are taught the importance of grace and courtesy, practice problem-solving skills, and learn how to effectively interact with students, teachers, and parents.

Intrinsic Motivation

Montessori does not use the reward and punishment system found in many public school systems. Instead, they are encouraged to treasure learning for the sake of learning, and to act in a respectable manner because doing good things makes them feel good about themselves. This intrinsic motivation is at the heart of learning to be a leader among their peers.

Mixed Age Groups

Another major aspect of Montessori education is the use of 3-year mixed age groups. This allows every child to take a turn as one of the oldest children in the class, and being among the biggest and oldest children puts every kid into a position where they can practice great leadership skills by helping the other, younger children during the course of the day.

Not every Montessori student is destined to be a great leader, but every Montessori student is given the same challenges and opportunities that great leadership abilities derive from. The process begins with respect for the individual child, learning about grace and courtesy and the consequences of their actions, and developing into children who can approach a given situation with a calm mind and critical thinking skills.

4 Early Math Concepts Appropriate for Montessori Preschool

If you have a child of preschool age, it might be difficult to imagine them someday doing complicated math homework that might leave you frazzled when they ask for a little help. That day will come, though, and they are at the age when their journey there is ready to begin. 

But that journey doesn’t start with long division. They’ll first need your help to work on these basic mathematical concepts.

1. Recognizing Numbers

Montessori preschool students will begin learning to make connections between the names of numbers, written numbers, and physical objects. You can help your child get started by counting objects out loud with them. 

Have your child touch those objects to add another sensory element for reinforcement. Eventually, you can start asking your child to do the counting alone. 

A great way to help your child begin connecting written numerals with actual amounts is to create index cards with the written numeral on one side and that number represented in dots on the other. Have your child count the number of dots out loud and then cover each dot with a math counter.  

2. Recognizing Patterns

Finding patterns is the foundation of all problem-solving, math or otherwise, and although humans have a strong instinct for it, they still need some guidance when they’re at preschool age in order to hone those instincts and begin thinking logically. 

To help your Montessori preschool student begin to identify patterns, you can simply point out patterns you see in your daily activities. Or you can take a more deliberate approach and present them with patterns. 

There are plenty of repetitious songs and storybooks for children of their age, and that’s no coincidence. Sing those songs and read to them to give them a foundation for pattern recognition.

3. Identifying Differences

Identifying values and their relationships with one another is a foundational aspect of mathematics. Your child can begin to build that foundation by preschool age or possibly even earlier. This is most easily done with the use of basic shapes and colors, but it can be applied to just about anything. 

First, there’s simple differentiation: “Which one is a square and which one is a circle?” Then, there’s differentiation by comparison: “Which one is bigger than the other?” This concept can then move into the abstract world of numbers.

4. Measuring

Your child can begin to learn the very basics of measurement by preschool age. This type of measurement doesn’t use standard units like inches, feet, pounds, or degrees, but rather informal terms like big or small, heavy or light, and long or short. 

Helping your child identify sizes, weights, and other basic measurements may not seem overtly mathematical, but these rudimentary concepts will eventually become part of their math education in Montessori preschool.

Build a Strong Foundation for Understanding Math at Montessori Preschool

The Montessori Charter School of Flagstaff can help your child not only build a strong understanding of mathematical concepts but also develop a sense of confidence in their mathematical abilities. Reach out today to learn more.