Wilmington Montessori School presents: 

Birth to 2 years

9-10:30 a.m.

Fridays, October 12, 19 and November 2, 9 & 16

Cost: $100

Register today - class fees due upon registration.

This weekly class offers moms, dads, grandparents and other caretakers mutual support and guidance in the beginning months of their child's life. Sara Grant, an Infant/Toddler Montessori teacher and mother of two, brings her many years of experience and observations to assist with the challenges of parenting and help parents enjoy the wonders of connecting their little one to the world around them. 

Set in an authentic Infant/Toddler Montessori classroom, this class will focus on nutrition, developing healthy eating habits, discipline, nursing and every-day life with your infant and toddler.  Meet other parents of infants and toddlers and enjoy lively discussions while your little one keeps busy in the classroom, prepared specifically for them at their stage of development.

Sara, who is also completing her doula certification training, will bring to life the Montessori Method through a wide range of enriching, hands-on activities in a fun environment for you and your child to explore.     

 "So much happens in the first 18 months of your child's life!" Sara says. "I look forward to helping you apply Montessori principles at home to make the most of the most amazing stage of your child's development."

This workshop is open to families outside the WMS community so please tell a friend! 

Questions? Please contact Theresa_Conaty@wmsde.org or call 302-475-0555.   

How often do we say to a child: "Don't do that," "You're too little," or "Watch out - you'll fall?" 

We think all of these phrases keep our child safe. But what we don't realize is that perhaps our child is ready for a new experience, and our response can be discouraging all because we are afraid he or she will get hurt.

Let's look at how to encourage new skills. Instead of using a "Don't," re-frame it as a "do." For example, "Don't jump on the sofa" can turn into "Do jump on the floor." "You're too little" can turn into "Let me see what you can do." "Watch out - you'll fall" might mean we are afraid, so share the rule around the new activity and move close enough to see how far the child will go.

Have faith that your child knows just how much he or she is ready to do at his or her particular stage of development. 

Many scraped knees have taught many lessons. 

The Parent Partnership Organization & Co-op 

As autumn leaves brighten our fall days, Wilmington Montessori School is experiencing some beautiful changes too. In the past, some WMS families worked alone at co-op jobs that felt unrewarding. Yet our WMS parents have lots of energy and talents that they want to share with WMS.  

We are excited that the newly formed Parent Partnership Organization (PPO) will be helping to offer more opportunities to get involved.  Thanks to Kerry Shweiki and Meredith Amado, parent partnership at WMS is evolving. If you have been following WMS news, Kerry and Meredith have started the school's first Parent Partnership Organization and more than 50 families attended the first set of meetings last week!  Kerry and Meredith describe the PPO as a group where WMS parents can come together with their ideas, and get involved here at school in rewarding ways.  While co-op hours will be earned through PPO-coordinated activities, Kerry and Meredith want parents to focus on the joy of being part of an energetic, engaged family-school community, rather than counting their co-op hours.  "Hours happen easily when you find a project you want to do," Kerry says.

One of the first PPO projects is assisting with WMS Night at Ramsey's Farm on October 19.  There are a lot of activities for families that night beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The PPO will be setting up tables with snacks as a gathering place for WMS families.  If you want to help or can bring a snack item, sign up on the co-op board at school.

As always, if you have questions or comments about co-op, please email us at co-op@wmsde.org.  We love to hear from you!