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End-of-Year Reflections: A Joyful Journey of Growth at Hala Kahiki Montessori School of Lana’i
As we close out another school year at Hala Kahiki Montessori School – on the beautiful island of Lāna‘i – we pause to reflect on the journey we’ve shared with our students, families, and each other. In the quiet moments and the spirited ones, in the small milestones and big breakthroughs, this year has been…
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Creating a “Yes Space” for Young Children – Encouraging Independence Through Environment and Language
A Montessori Perspective on Parenting with PositivityAt Hala Kahiki Montessori School of Lāna‘i, we embrace the Hawaiian value of aloha—love, respect, and kindness—and we infuse this spirit into everything we do. One of the simplest and most powerful ways you can carry these values into your home is by creating a yes space. Rooted in Montessori philosophy,…
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The Absorbent Mind: How Young Children Learn and How We Can Support Them
Maria Montessori’s concept of the absorbent mind is one of the most powerful insights into early childhood development. She observed that from birth to around age six, children learn in a way that is entirely different from adults. Instead of absorbing information through conscious effort, young children take in everything around them naturally and effortlessly—like…
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Giving and Receiving: Building a Culture of Generosity
The Montessori philosophy encourages the development of the whole child—intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. One of the key social principles embedded in this approach is the concept of giving and receiving. For children 6 and under, this principle is not just about material exchanges but also about the mutual acts of kindness, respect, and collaboration…
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Navigating Power Struggles at Home
With its emphasis on respect, independence, and connection, Montessori parenting offers helpful strategies for navigating power struggles with young children, even from an early age. In the first six years, children are forming their sense of self, learning boundaries, and testing limits. The Montessori approach provides ways to respond to these developmentally typical behaviors that…
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Food and The Young Child – Nurturing a Healthy Relationship with Food
As caregivers of young children, we share a common objective – fostering a healthy relationship between the child and food. Our aim is for children to enjoy meals while ensuring they are eating enough to sustain the great work happening in their physical, mental and spiritual development. The eating patterns of young children can be…
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Three Tips for a Successful School Year
As the new school year begins, there are some specific ways you can support your child’s transition “back-to-school” and help them thrive in their unique learning environment. Here are three essential tips to ensure a smooth and successful start to the school year. 1. Foster Independence at Home Montessori education emphasizes independence and self-directed learning,…
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The Constructive Rhythm of Life – The Four Planes of Development
“I have found that in their development, the child passes through certain phases, each of which has its own particular needs. The characteristics of each are so different that the passages from one phase to another have been described by certain psychologists as ‘rebirths’.” –Maria Montessori As Dr. Montessori observed children it became obvious to…
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Navigating Screen Time Use
Children are often happy and quiet when they have a device in their hands (*sigh* peace and quiet). However, we know that children do not learn best from screens. Two new studies have shown that screen time can decrease the young child’s words and sentences, resulting in delayed language development. Screen time can also influence…
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The Art of Giving and Receiving with the Young Child
For many families and cultures around the world, December is a time of giving and receiving gifts, food, and love. Whether it is a physical gift or an intangible one, we need to be intentional with our expectations for the young child during the holiday season. Young children, under the age of 6 years old,…
