Blog

Discover how Montessori’s joyful, hands-on language activities help young children build deep understanding and set the stage for lifelong literacy.

In all thriving Montessori classrooms, students and guides are constantly balancing freedom and responsibility. Students enjoy several freedoms that might be inhibited elsewhere: freedom to move around the classroom, freedom to choose their own work, freedom to socialize, freedom to question, and freedom to learn according to their interests. These freedoms are always balanced against a high level of responsibility: to themselves, to their peers, and to their classroom. Read on to understand how the freedoms and responsibilities are balanced in the Elementary program at Wheaton Montessori School. What Kind of Classroom Do You Want to Have? One of the ways that teachers guide students towards being accountable for their actions and within the classroom is a classroom meeting early in the year, during which the students discuss what "kind of classroom" they want to be a part of - and what rules or expectations will help them achieve their goals. This photograph shows what students in one of our Lower Elementary classrooms (grades 1st-3rd) shared when asked, "What kind of classroom do you want to have?"

Celebrate Dr. Montessori’s legacy and explore how her visionary approach continues to shape education, peace, and human potential today.

If you’re nervous about drop-off or anxious about creating a smooth transition, I highly recommend Dr. Becky’s advice for a mindset check and for helpful phrases: I f my kids struggle at drop-off, do I linger, or do I sneak out? Neither, those are two extremes. There’s a whole world between lingering and sneaking out. See when you linger, you end up saying to your child that you are anxious about their … What’s in the middle? Validate how they’re feeling. Drop-off feels tricky today? I get it ”Let your kid know you believe in them. I know your gonna’ end up having a good day at school and then leave… Dr. Becky offers a powerful yet simple approach to handling tough goodbyes in a way that honors your child’s emotions and communicates your belief in their ability to handle hard things. Rather than rushing through the discomfort or trying to "fix" their feelings, this approach invites you to feel confident in your own actions— even if your child is falling apart. For Dr. Becky’s entire reel, 👉 Watch it here Why This Works When you acknowledge their feelings without fear, you send a powerful message: “It’s okay to feel this way. I see you. And I believe you can do this.” That combination — emotional validation plus belief in their resilience — is what helps children build true security and confidence from the inside out. Final Thoughts Drop-off doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. There may still be tears—theirs and yours—and that’s okay. What matters most is how you show up in those moments: with confidence, with love, and with trust in your child’s ability to navigate tough feelings. Let this video be your guide the next time you're facing a difficult goodbye. You’ve got this — and so does your child.

Montessori self-care routines—like wiping the nose—foster independence, confidence, and joyful self-awareness from an early age.

Our Outdoor environments nurture responsibility, curiosity, and connection—supporting whole-child growth through nature.

Discover how curiosity questions foster calm, connection, and confidence in children—an empowering shift for everyday parenting moments.

Help your child transition smoothly from summer to school with Montessori-inspired tips for calm mornings, confidence, and connection.

Practical life skills lead to independence and are ideal for all grades.