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Points of Interest: The Children's House Blog |
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Parent Library |
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Video Recordings |
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More on Montessori For articles and videos on the Montessori approach to learning, visit montessoriguide.org. To support Montessori learning at home, visit aidtolife.org. |
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Books on Mental Health In our "Coffee with Trisha Short" discussions last year, some book recommendations came up. Here is the list:
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2023-24 Learning Opportunities for Adults |
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Required for all new parents and caregivers Montessori 101 for new parents with Michele Shane Register to reserve childcare. |
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For all new parents and caregivers The Montessori Potential with Paula Lillard Preschlak Join us for a special evening with Paula, the author of "The Montessori Potential, How to Foster Independence, Respect and Joy in Every Child. We have two copies of her book in our parent library for you to borrow in advance. Or pick up your own copy at Horizon Books. It is also available on Audible if you prefer to listen. This learning opportunity is open to the broader community, please invite your friends! Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/4uc1DXsV5 Join us for a book club style discussion on Zoom, Thursday, October 10 at 7:30 led by Britny Tollstam. |
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For all parents and caregivers Voice Lessons for Parents & Caregivers: What to Say, When to Say It & How to Listen Most parents are adept and savvy communicators, even when mild tensions arise in relationshipsuntil they're talking to their children. Addressing this growing challenge for families, Dr. Mogel developed a series of specific voice lessons for parents. Using humor and act outs, she'll share how a shift in vocal style, verbal content, and timing will lead children to listen more attentively, communicate with more enthusiasm, respect, and sincerity and cooperate with more alacrity. She'll reveal how each age and stage of a child's life brings novel opportunities to connect. And the heartening news is that parents can model and teach the foundational skills of communication starting at birthor anytime beyond. Participants will leave with specific skills and strategies to use with children of diverse temperaments that span childhood and adolescence.
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For parents and caregivers of children ages 3 to 5 Montessori Up Close: Diving into the Primary Curriculum Come learn more about your child's home away from home: How they go about their day learning, being curious, caring for themselves and their environment, and becoming more and more independent. Don't miss this special and interactive presentation by our Primary faculty! Register to reserve childcare. |
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For all parents and caregivers Coffee with Britny Tollstam: Voice Lessons for Parents & Caregivers: What to Say, When to Say It & How to Listen Parents and caregivers are invited for coffee with Britny Tollstam, our Adult Learning Specialist, to have an in-person discussion about the topics covered in the ISACS webinars. |
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For all parents and caregivers Montessori Up Close: The Montessori Potential Book Discussion Parents and caregivers are invited to read "The Montessori Potential, How to Foster Independence, Respect and Joy in Every Child by Paula Lillard Preschlak and then join us online for a book club style discussion with Britny Tollstam. We have two copies of her book in our parent library for you to borrow. Or pick up your own copy at Horizon Books. It is also available on Audible if you prefer to listen. |
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For parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 3 Montessori Up Close: The Montessori Toddler A meaningful discussion with our Nido & YCC guides around the school life of toddlers and parenting. Parents are encouraged to read The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies prior to this discussion. Register to reserve childcare. |
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For all parents and caregivers How to Raise a Self-driven Child Join author and expert Ned Johnson to learn why fostering a healthy sense of control is so important for children's intrinsic motivation, success, mental health, and happiness. Parents and caregivers will learn how to pivot from manager to parent consultant, how to be a non-anxious presence, and will leave with effective strategies to use with children ranging in age from tots to teens.
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For all parents and caregivers Coffee with Britny Tollstam: How to Raise a Self-driven Child If you missed the webinar, you can still register here and watch the recording! Parents and caregivers are invited for coffee with Britny Tollstam, our Adult Learning Specialist, to have an in-person discussion about the topics covered in the ISACS webinars. |
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For 5th and 6th year students and their guardians Junior High Showcase Current Junior High students and faculty will give presentations and answer questions about the curriculum and everyday life of our Junior High program. |
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For parents and caregivers with children in Elementary and Junior High A Tour Through Your Child's Brain: Development, Technology & Learning From birth to adulthood, our children undergo many changes which can impact their behavior, cognition, and emotions. During this webinar, we will journey through the developing brain and track how it changes across the lifespan (with a special look at the teenage years). Participants will gain a better understanding of why our children act as they do and consider concrete ways to support them cognitively and behaviorally at home. We will explore the impact of technology on development and learning, and we'll learn three principles of learning to support our children as they study and learn at home. |
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For parents of current kindergartners Montessori Up Close: Cosmic Education Elementary school at The Children's House is different from the traditional model most parents experienced growing up. This presentation will explore the prepared environment of our lower elementary classrooms and how the curriculum moves from concrete materials to more abstract thought processes while supporting social and emotional learning. Register to reserve childcare. |
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For parents and caregivers with children in Elementary and Junior High Coffee with Britny Tollstam: A Tour Through Your Child's Brain: Development, Technology & Learning Friday, January 19 Parents and caregivers are invited for coffee with Britny Tollstam, our Adult Learning Specialist, to have an in-person discussion about the topics covered in the ISACS webinars. |
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For parents and caregivers of Primary students who are not yet in Kindergarten Montessori Up Close: The Kindergarten Year This opportunity dives deeper into Montessori and focuses on the capstone year of the Primary program. There will be time for Q&A and lots to learn about what it means to be a kindergartner at The Children's House. |
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For parents and caregivers of 6th, 7th and 8th year students Boys Will Be Human: A Get-Real Gut-Check Guide to Becoming the Strongest, Kindest, Bravest Person You Can Be By Justin Baldoni Snacks will be served Join our school counselor Trisha Short, and Compass Montessori guides Tree Sturman, Kristina Weidenfeller, and Tori Craig for a book discussion on Boys Will Be Human by Justin Baldoni. As described by the publisher, This New York Times Best Seller from filmmaker, actor, and author Justin Baldoni {offers} a real-talk, self-esteem-building guidebook that helps boys ages 11 and up embrace their feelings and fears instead of repress them. Throughout the United States and in our very own community, boys are in crisis. Academic achievement is diminishing while drop out rates are increasing. All the while, boys and young men are disproportionately struggling with all manner of addictions, including but not limited to drugs, alcohol, pornography, and video games. In response to this, and the overall mental health crisis facing adolescents today, we have revised our Compass Montessori Jr. High curriculum and made significant investments in mental health supports for our students. This book discussion with caregivers is just one piece of this broader effort. |
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For parents and caregivers of current 3rd year students Montessori Up Close: Upper El Meet & Greet This opportunity is for parents and caregivers of rising 4th-year students to meet our Upper El guides, learn how the curriculum continues through 6th grade, and tour the Cedar and Maple classrooms. Register to reserve childcare. |
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For parents and caregivers of children K-8 Talking to Youth About Heated Topics Young people bear witness to challenging or traumatic events in current events, media, and our local communities. They are often trying to process thoughts, feelings, and reactions without our explicit help and guidance thereby increasing their confusion and anxiety. We adults have a natural instinct to protect our children from harsh realities while also preparing them to navigate this complex world is it possible to do both? What are ways to talk about identity, differences, and justice in age-appropriate ways? How do you reinforce your family's values without instilling disrespect for other perspectives? How do you coach them toward authentic and respectful dialogue across differences? Engage in these questions and more. There will be time for Q&A. |
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For parents and caregivers of children ages 0-3 Montessori Up Close: The Montessori Toddler A meaningful discussion with our Nido & YCC guides around the school life of toddlers and parenting. Parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 3 are encouraged to read The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies prior to this discussion. Register by Monday, Feb. 26 to reserve childcare. |
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For parents and caregivers of children K-8 Coffee with Britny Tollstam: Talking to Youth About Heated Topics Parents and caregivers are invited for coffee with Britny Tollstam, our Adult Learning Specialist, to have an in-person discussion about the topics covered in the ISACS webinars. |
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For parents and caregivers with children in Elementary and Junior High Growing Up in Public: Milestones of Growing Up in the Digital Age How can we help our kids navigate coming of age in a world where nearly every moment of their lives can be shared and compared? How can we help them navigate all the firsts? First Roblox playdate? First social media account? First phone? We can track our children's every move with apps, see their grades within minutes of them being posted, and fixate on their digital footprint, anxious that a misstep could cause them to be ostracized or even jeopardize their admission to college. How can they figure out who they really are with zero privacy and constant judgment? Heitner shows us that mentoring and not just monitoring kids will help us understand and support our kids, building our relationships with them, AND helping them be successful in digital spaces. |
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For parents and caregivers with children in Elementary and Junior High Coffee with Britny Tollstam: Growing Up in Public: Milestones of Growing Up in the Digital Age Parents and caregivers are invited for coffee with Britny Tollstam, our Adult Learning Specialist, to have an in-person discussion about the topics covered in the ISACS webinars. |
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For all parents and caregivers Scott Schuh, School Psychologist at Northwest Education Services will speak to parents during CHIPA In response to a great conversation about neuro-diversity during a recent CHiPA meeting, Scott Schuh, a school psychologist with Northwest Education Services, will be presenting on the topic during our April CHiPA meeting. All are welcome, in person or online! The team at Northwest Ed works with our school to evaluate students and actively provide services when needed. Scott's presentation will help families understand these services, the process they follow, and how they partner with our school. Join us at CHiPA April 3, learn more here. |
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For all parents and caregivers Raising Resilient Children The messages parents give their kids in everyday interactions shape their children's confidence and resilience. Parents often underestimate how patterns of home life influence the ways their children handle the challenges that come their way both big and small. The exchanges you have, routines you establish, and values you convey in your everyday parenting offer daily opportunities to support children's self-assurance and confidence. By recognizing those moments and making the most of them, you help your kids build resilience. This webinar based on the authors' new book "Raising Kids: Your Essential Guide to Everyday Parenting" will provide tools for parents with children of all ages (It's never too late!) to help them more effectively manage disappointment and limits, develop self-esteem, and navigate their social world. There will be time for Q&A.
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For all parents and caregivers Coffee with Britny Tollstam: Raising Resilient Children Parents and caregivers are invited for coffee with Britny Tollstam, our Adult Learning Specialist, to have an in-person discussion about the topics covered in the ISACS webinars. |
