Save the date for our annual spring conference-

Saturday, March 24th, 2012

featuring Stephen J. Hughes, Ph.d

Steven J. Hughes, PhD, LP, ABPdN is an assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and maintains a private practice where he specializes in assessment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and other learning and behavioral problems in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dr. Hughes completed his PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Minnesota and his post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where he joined the faculty of the Division of Pediatric Clinical Neurosciences in 2001.

In his clinical work, he has specialized in neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents with a wide range of learning, developmental, and medical disorders, and assisted in the supervision and training of future neuropsychologists. Himself a Montessori parent, Dr. Hughes has helped many families from the Twin Cities Montessori community understand their child's special educational or developmental needs. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota and a Montessori schools around Minnesota and Wisconsin.

His research interests include measurement of attention and executive functioning in children and adults, the effects of living in poverty on child development, and the neurodevelopmental benefits of classical Montessori education.

For more information about the CMS 2012 Conference, visit our website. To submit a presentation proposal, complete this form and send it to us before November 1st. 

Tips for Parents and Children For The First Days of School

- By: Brooke Byam, Montessori 3-6 Teacher, The Summit Country Day School

If you plan to walk your child into the building on the first day, here are some tips for parent/child separation issues:

• Before this day arrives, prepare by practicing your own body language and facial expression. You need to appear happy and confident that your child will be well taken care of and will have a nice day.
• Think of this as a drop-off at a comfortable place such as a grandparent's house or a birthday party.
• Practice the routine for good-byes with your child at your own front door. For example, give two kisses and hugs in the car or at the door. Try to stick with this because it helps in the long run to have a fixed routine.
• Be prepared for the fact that separating may not go smoothly and be confident that teachers have a lot of experience on how to handle this.
• Know that most children will become calm and interested in the classroom soon after parents depart. If this should not be the case, teachers will let you know and provide further strategies.
• Remember that teachers and parents are working together to instill self-confidence and independence for every child.
• The goal is to help your child to confidently and independently walk into the room, hang his/her backpack in the cubby, wash his/her hands and start to work. Be confident that every child reaches this stage of independence, even if it takes a little time.

2 Wonderful Parent Resource Books by Aline Wolf

-Available from CMS at a Discounted Price

A Parents' Guide to the Montessori Classroom and Montessori Insights for Parents of Young Children are two wonderfully written and easily read black and white booklets by Aline Wolf offering readers a simplified description of Dr. Montessori's philosophy.

A Parents' Guide to the Montessori Classroom (62 pages) serves as a complete parent guidebook to the materials in the 3-6 year old classroom. Wolf gives a brief overview of some basic characteristics of a Montessori classroom (multi-age grouping, role of the teacher, sensitive periods, etc.) and then goes into more detail naming and describing in sequence the Montessori materials from the Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural Areas. She acknowledges that the use of the materials is but one aspect of Dr. Montessori's total philosophy and refers the reader to other books in order to learn more about the philosophy in its entirety. The many photographs of the materials being used by the children provide delightful examples of what goes on in a 3-6 classroom.

Both of these books are valuable tools for parents to gain a better understanding of their child's Montessori experience. A perfect gift for the families of your school and an easy solution for parent education! CMS has made a bulk purchase of both of these books so we can pass the savings along to you and your families. They are available to purchase for $5 each. For more information or to purchase the books, email Jill Wilson. 

Press Release from Children's Meeting House Montessori School 

For Immediate Release

August 5, 2011

Contact: Casey Reed

513-910-3232

CHILDREN'S MEETING HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL WELCOMES A NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL

Children's Meeting House (CMH) is pleased to announce the appointment of a seasoned Montessori administrator as Head of School for the 2011-2012 school year. Beginning in August, Meg Thomas who has dedicated thirty years of her professional life to Montessori education will join the CMH community. Ms. Thomas has spent the last ten years of her career as an administrator in both public and private Montessori schools. Prior to this time, she taught in private and public Montessori programs. A graduate of Xavier University, with a Bachelor in Science degree, Masters in Education and post graduate work in Administrative Leadership, Ms. Thomas has served as an adjunct professor at Xavier University and Mount St. Joseph College. She has been a pioneer and integral part of educational program development of the Sands Montessori preschool program, Pleasant Ridge Montessori School and the second Montessori Junior High/High School in the Cincinnati Public School system, Gamble Montessori.

Ms. Thomas brings extensive educational work in nature initiatives, global education, student leadership studies and green/sustainability programs. Ms. Thomas states, "I am very enthusiastic to join this outstanding educational Montessori community. CMH has an incredible reputation and truly provides the kind of education that every child deserves."  

In 2012, the Children's Meeting House (CMH) will celebrate 40^th years of providing excellence in education and serving families and students ages three to twelve.   Children's Meeting House has been a pillar of stability in the greater Loveland community for nearly four decades. Previously housed in a unique barn setting located on the Grailville Retreat acreage, CMH through the dedicated efforts and support of the community, local businesses and generous donations in 2003 built a new state-of-art expansive school building. The new CMH nestled next to its original location rests on a sprawling six acres. As a stellar Montessori education program in the Tri-state, CMH offers students the kind of enriched hands-on learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom directly tying the acquisition of knowledge to real world experiences.  

For more information about CMH, please visit www.childrensmeetinghousemontessori.com or call: 513-683-4757

As you know, the Cincinnati Montessori Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together parents, teachers and schools in order to promote and support the Montessori philosophy. It is governed by a volunteer board of trustees of Montessori parents, teachers, students, administrators and others interested in supporting Montessori education. If you are interested in serving on the board or have talents to share, please email your name and contact info to our nominations committee.

• What do you like and/or dislike about our service?
• What ideas do you have to make our organization better?
• What areas do you think are important for CMS get involved in?