Tree Logo
The PATH Newsletter
Leading you to Montessori news, research, people, and voices.
The PATH into 2014
January 2014

 

Welcome to the first PATH of 2014. As always, we hope to use this newsletter to share some of the latest news and research related to Montessori in general, and to the people and practices of Dundas Valley Montessori School.

 

 

This month we have three articles to offer. The first is a collaborative effort by three members of our Casa staff that discusses what they learned at a professional development event earlier this year about the importance of sleep to children's development and how technology can hinder it.

The second article looks at some fascinating research into the relations between literacy, literature, and neurocognitive development, while the third article invites and introduces you all to a new film called Watermark.

Speaking of film and video, Our Kids has produced a short video extolling the virtues of CCMA accredited Montessori education. A portion of the video was filmed at DVMS. Check it out right here and please help spread the word by sharing widely.

We hope you find them engaging and informative. We are always looking to spark discussion, so please don't hesitate to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment sections.

Thank you, and here's hoping you are all off to a great start to a great year.
Jan2013PATH CasaSleep
After a long day at school, kids are in need of some restorative sleep (and chapstick).

DVMS Casa Staff on Sleep, Technology, and Executive Functions

by  Dylan Hudecki, Elizabeth Flenniken, and Pat Stephens   


On our last PD day, we attended the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers conference and were immediately inspired by several different speakers.

Stuart Shanker spoke about advances in developmental neuroscience and how they dramatically alter our understanding of what adults can do to enhance the development of children's brains. In particular, we now recognize that the better a child can self-regulate (control their own behavior) the better they can master complex skills and concepts. So how do we help them?  Very simply put, he explained why sleep is so very important. He explained the difference between restorative sleep and non-restorative sleep.

 

Click here to learn more from DVMS's Casa guides... 

DVMS Upper Elementary students building dioramas to illustrate structural elements of novels.
Literary Neuroscience: Research Supports Benefits of Critical Literacy Ed.
by Jason Phillips  
 
Those involved with Montessori are used to contemporary scientific findings confirming Montessori methods and practices. I recently had one of these experiences when I ran across some research looking into the relations between neuroscience and literary theory. Two fascinating studies looked at brain development in people engaged with literature.
 

 

 

Click here to read about the relation between literacy and neuro-development...
Jan2014PATH Watermark
Watermark.
Watermark
by Tony Evans

 DVMS and Strata Montessori School, in partnership with the Art Gallery of Hamilton, would like to invite you to the premier Hamilton screening of Watermark on Wednesday, January 29th, at 7:00 pm, at Landmark Cinemas 6 in Jackson Square, downtown Hamilton. The artist and the filmmakers will all be there. 

 

Click here to read more and see a preview of Watermark...