A Timeline of Montessori Education in Cincinnati will be on display at our Annual Spring Conference, but we need your help!

The Cincinnati Montessori Society would like to celebrate the diversity and history of our Montessori Schools. We invite all of our past and current member schools and training programs to create a poster of their school's history. These posters will be displayed chronologically during our  annual conference on March 23, 2013 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center and will also be on display for our 50th Anniversary Gala at The Metropolitan Club in the evening. We hope that your school would be willing to participate to create a poster and share the history of your school or Teacher Education program.

By: Leisa Moore

Leisa Moore is currently a Kindergarten teacher in the public school system. She has two children that went through traditional schools and two children who attended Montessori from ages three through eighth grade. Leisa recognizes the importance of education and has had the opportunity to witness many different educational programs. Here she describes some of the main differences she has noticed now that her children are all adults in how their educations shaped them as they grew.

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As a parent and an educator, I have found myself comparing my four children to each other throughout their entire lives. You are not supposed to do that, right? I think there may only be a few parents that admit it is nearly impossible not to and even fewer who admit to doing it, such as myself.

When they were very young, there was not much to compare. Our three girls and one boy were basically raised the same until the journey of education began. Unfortunately we were living in a southern state that had approximately five Montessori schools in the entire state...none within a reasonable driving distance for our family. A move back north occurred when the youngest two were blessed to be young enough to embark on a Montessori education and our family had several excellent schools to choose from.

As the older two started their educational career in our local traditional public system, the younger two embarked not only into an educational expedition but a multi-faceted venture as well. While my older two daughters developed many talents and strong attributes, it became apparent rather early that the quality of education was something that was and would continue to be, unfairly compared. Montessori education in itself is an ongoing example of educational excellence...focusing on the whole child and their ultimate place in our world. Being "life-long learners" was what ended up setting my children far apart.

Everywhere we went, other adults, whether they were parents or childless, constantly remarked on the maturity level, respectfulness and ability to communicate in a very precise manner of my youngest two children. When church or family obligations arose, the younger ones usually viewed them as challenges and opportunities. During trying times, they were able to exhibit behavior that indicated deep caring and compassion. I remember thinking that the most noticeable difference was the ability to problem solve. During the younger two children's teen years, employer after employer sought out my husband and myself to marvel at the positive qualities and well-developed traits they possessed. Unfortunately, I could assume very little credit. Each time a compliment came my way, I would think "Montessori".

As all four continue on their life voyage, I know they will all be successful and productive members of society. I also know the youngest two have an advantage due to what occurred between year three of their lives until the end of eighth grade and that will continue to serve them in ways I know they have yet to experience.

By: Becky Monahan

Mercy Montessori Teacher Assistant

M.Ed Elementary Education

Red Cross WSI

As I write this, the snow has fallen, Christmas day is behind us and the winter months are ahead of us. So the question presents itself to us; how can we stay active and incorporate movement into our daily lives with our children? As an educator and a parent, it is paramount to ensure that our children stay active on a daily basis, no matter the outside temperature.

There is evidence that physical activity has a positive impact on people both physically and mentally. Physical activity and movement can improve blood flow and oxygen to the brain, improve mental clarity, and positively affect the portion of the brain responsible for learning and memory. There is also evidence that shows movement can improve connections between nerves in the brain, thus improving attention and information-processing skills. Exercise builds strong bones and muscles, decreases the likelihood of developing obesity and risk factors for type II diabetes and heart disease, and can reduce anxiety and depression, (National Association for Sport and Physical Education; www.letsmoveinschool.org). So, how can we get out and get moving when the weather is cold and motivation may be low? There are many ways in Cincinnati to get out and enjoy the beauty that our area of the country has to offer.

 The Cincinnati Parks www.cincinnatiparks.com, Hamilton County Parks www.greatparks.org, the Cincinnati Zoo www.cincinnatizoo.org, and the initiative www.letsmove.gov are wonderful resources for finding ways to stay active indoors and outdoors during the winter months. The Cincinnati Parks have an "Explore Nature" series that incorporates indoor and outdoor activities. The  Hamilton County parks are wonderful places to explore outdoor activities. There is a tab on their website that informs interested outdoor enthusiasts where residents can cross country ski, hike, outdoor ice skate, sled ride, and ice fish. The Cincinnati Zoo has activities for people to stay active during the winter months such as their Youth, Family and Adult programs. In addition to this, the initiative "Let's Move" suggests that people get involved in an initiative called "America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids" through healthy eating and exercise.

Maria Montessori observed the benefits of movement in children. She dedicated entire chapters to the study and observation of movement incorporated in the classroom and outdoors. In her book, "The Discovery of the Child" she titled chapter 5 "Education in Movement". The child passes through an epoch of their lives which is the entering into the harmonious working of their nerves and muscles together. In the Montessori classroom, movement is just part of the work. A child carries a tray with the work from the shelf, to their work place, does the work, then returns the work to the shelf. Working on rugs on the floor also engages the movement of the child. By observing a child it "makes it obvious that the development of his mind comes through his movements" (Montessori, 1984).

I am fortunate to work in a school that ensures that movement and exercise are part of the daily curriculum. The children are in the classroom moving as part of their work morning, are involved in gym, music and art, are swimming weekly, and have a beautiful play set to enjoy. The younger children actually begin their day on the playground so that their minds and bodies are physically ready to begin their work cycle once they enter the classroom. In addition, there are extra-curricular activities and sports for the children. As educators and parents, it is a beneficial goal to ensure that children have access to sports, extra-curricular activities and are encouraged to incorporate movement into their daily lives since "movement has a great importance on mental development itself" (Montessori, 1984). 

Montessori, Maria (1984) The Absorbent Mind
Montessori, Maria (1967) Discovery of the Child
USA Today, (2010) Study: Physical activity can boost student performance

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