Continuum

Happy Sunday!

The last element of finding a good fit when searching for a school for your child is considering your child’s social needs. Each and every school has a unique social identity. Having your child fit in is critical to your child’s success.

When we talk about social needs in education, we are not only discussing socialization outside the classroom, such as through clubs and extracurricular activities. We are looking at the social environment inside the classroom as well. As our society evolves, education is evolving too. We are realizing that children may not learn best while sitting solitary behind a desk while completing schoolwork. Some private schools are realizing that. Small group, hands-on, student-led activities are becoming more popular in private schools all over the country. What type of environment will your child thrive in? What type of environment does your child need to develop into a well-rounded person?

At Continuum Montessori we believe in small group, hands-on child-led learning. When a student is excited about something, he or she is more likely to learn rather than memorize and then forget. And when students learn together in a welcoming community where diversity and differences are celebrated, students develop a strong sense of belonging and interconnection and foster a strong spirit and level of self-confidence. To learn more about Continuum Montessori, visit us at https://www.continuummontessori.com/

Finding the right school for your child is an important task and we are here to help. In our last post we discussed finding the right fit. Today we are going to discuss learning styles and why they are so important.

As we discussed in previous posts, there are many different learning styles and most children learn using a variety of them. Are you aware of your child’s learning style? What works best for your child? It is okay if you do not know; most parents do not. Actually, most teachers do not know what learning styles work best for their students either. Why? Because it is difficult to meet the needs of each and every student, especially if you have 30 plus students.

When you are looking into schools, it is important to check if the school you are interested in accommodates different learning styles. How do you do this? As you visit the school make sure you also visit the classrooms. Watch the students. Are they all sitting at desks? Are some walking around? Maybe some are watching other students. Maybe some are sitting on the floor. Perhaps some are talking to other students. Some students may be reading but others may be drawing or building with blocks. If the students are working but they are in different locations or in different phases of movement but are productive, then the teacher understands various learning styles.

At Continuum Montessori all our teachers are trained in understanding the different learning styles. When each teacher sits down with each child to develop the individual learning plan, a discussion takes place to establish what will work best for the student. As the teacher gets to know the student, the teacher will become a guide and facilitator and make suggestions and encourage the student to explore new ways of learning to further help the student along. Visit us at https://www.continuummontessori.com/ to learn more.

Happy Sunday!!!

One of the most important decisions you will make for your child is picking the school he or she will attend. Not only is it one of the most important decisions you will make for your child, it is also one of the most difficult. Over the next few posts, we will offer some tips to help you make this very critical decision.

One essential element to finding the perfect school for your child is discovering a good fit. This means finding a place where your child feels comfortable and meets your criteria. No small task. When faced with a monumental task, we break it down into small, manageable parts, and that is what we will do here. To find a good fit, we will break it down into 3 categories: what you want your child to learn, learning styles, and social needs. Today we will talk about what you want your child to learn.

To find a good fit for your child, you must decide what you want your child to learn and at what difficulty level. Do you want your child to study a specific curriculum? Perhaps you want him or her to focus on college prep or receive some religious training. Do you want your child to be educated based in S.T.E.M. classes or in a more holistic approach? Every school will have a different focus and it is something you will need to be aware of as you research each school.

At Continuum Montessori we understand the importance of finding a good fit. The Continuum curriculum will stand up against any school curriculum anywhere. Our core curriculum begins at the Lower Elementary level where abundant materials foster the optimum development of reading, spelling, and writing skills. Math operations emphasize the understanding of processes as well as accuracy in computations. Acquired basic skills are then applied to interdisciplinary themes. In science, students research, classify, observe, and conduct experiments. Work in cultural subjects includes the study of the needs of people around the world throughout history. This type of study continues all the way up through high school courses of study and reflects an integration of the Florida essential elements (Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS)/Common Core State Standards (CCSS)).

To read about the curriculum for each age group, visit us at https://www.continuummontessori.com/ and discover what a good fit we are.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. here is a biography of the man written for 3-6 year olds:

A True Story: The Story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — Montessori Northwest This story, for 3-6 year olds, is written to reflect the age appropriate justice goal of Anti-Bias Education through recognizing "unfairness”.  As follow-up to telling this story, you could read the book by Shane W. Evans, We March , which talks about how people came toget

Our last post discussed the effect COVID-19 had on our children. Was your child affected? What are the signs to look for? How, as parents, do you help your child? Unicef has some ideas.

Managing the long-term effects of the pandemic on your child's mental health Advice from an expert psychologist on supporting your child

We have finally settled into the "new normal." Covid is now manageable and students are back in the classroom full-time. But, things are not really back to normal. Covid-19 has had long-term effects on education that continue to impact both students and teachers today. According to the74million.org here are some of the effects of Covid that linger today.

#1: Student development has been disrupted - studies have shown that academic, social, and emotional development of all children has been affected by Covid-19. According to a study published in May 2022, there has been an uptick in student misconduct and disruptions in the classroom, as well as rowdiness outside the classroom. Overall, behavior problems have become a larger issue since the pandemic began.

#2: Teacher and student absenteeism have increased - schools are reporting that both teachers and students have shown an increase in tardiness and absenteeism compared to before the pandemic. And, finding substitute teachers is a problem as well. Many schools report that administrators have had to go into the classrooms to teach because of staff shortages.

#3: There is a greater need for mental health services for both students and staff - the mental health of Americans has become a focal point since quarantines and lockdowns became part of our daily lives. Schools are now reporting that more students and staff are seeking mental health services to deal with depression, anxiety, and a variety of other mental health issues.

We are still learning about more long-term effects of Covid-19 on the education of students during and after the pandemic. On a positive note, many studies have praised private schools for their proactiveness and response times in dealing with Covid-19 issues. Private schools are a wonderful way to combat these long-term issues. At private schools, the teacher-to-student ratio is lower than in public schools, so students receive the attention they need. Also, private schools can be more flexible to accommodate the needs of their students.

At Continuum Montessori, we strive to nurture all facets of our students' development: academic, social, and emotional. With a curriculum centered around a student's specific interests and needs, your child will have the tools to combat the negative, lingering effects of the pandemic.

For information about our programs, visit continuummontessori.com

Here is another article about the benefits of a Montessori education.

Research shows benefits of Montessori education A method of schooling that focuses on personal development rather than exams produces more mature, creative and socially adept children, scientists have found.

We all know a Montessori education has many benefits while students are in school. But, what about the long-term benefits? Check out this article and discover some:

New Research Highlights The Long-Term Benefits Of A Montessori Education Montessori children turn into happy adults, suggests a new study.

We wish everyone a health, happy, and dream-filled 2023! Happy New Year!!!

New Year's Eve is sometimes difficult to celebrate with children. They have to stay up late and get cranky. Most activities are designed for adults and usually involve alcohol in some way. Thanks to our friends at Mommy Poppins we can provide you with some ideas to keep little ones busy for the entire evening. Check out the ideas here

15 Ideas for Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Home with Kids Countdown treat bags, time capsules, and more ways to welcome 2023.

The week between Christmas and New Year's Eve is difficult. There's the Christmas mess to clean up. Discount shopping to do. You still have to work. The kids are home. And, there are New Year's Resolutions to come up with. Our friends at themuse.com have come up with some resolutions that they call "Lazy person's resolutions," challenges that are easily attainable, won't require massive lifestyle changes, and will make you feel good. Check them out at https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-careerboosting-new-years-resolutions-youll-actually-want-to-keep

5 New Year's Resolutions You'll Want to Keep That don't even take that much effort.

We wish everyone a happy, healthy, and wonderful holiday season!

Holiday Break Activity #4:

One of the most fun activities to do with your children over winter break is baking. This activity is great for all age groups and allows families to spend time together. There are a ton of holiday recipes online, so look up some of your favorites. Thanks to Brit.co you can make many New Year’s Eve surprises https://www.brit.co/new-years-eve-recipes-for-kids/

Holiday Break Activity #3:

Winter break is the perfect time to take your children on an adventure that will spark their imaginations and tingle their minds! Plan a trip to a library or a museum. The entire family can enjoy this outing and the children will learn about new things and expand their horizons.

Holiday Break Activity #2:

The most challenging task over winter break will be to keep your child busy, active, and thinking. Living Montessori Now has a great collection of activities suited to younger children. The Snowman Roll and Graph game will sharpen your child’s math and graphing skills, along with working on fine motor skills and creativity. Check out all the activities at https://livingmontessorinow.com/free-winter-printables-and-montessori-inspired-winter-math-activities/

The children will be home for winter break soon. So, what are they going to do? We have assembled a few Montessori-style activities to do with your children to keep their minds and bodies working.

Holiday Break Activity #1:

Everyone loves a snow globe! No one can resist flipping it upside down and then back again to watch the mini-snowstorm. So, over the break, make snow globes with your child. This is an easy and fun project for any age child and fosters creativity, fine motor skills, and so much more. Thank you to the NAMC Montessori Teacher Training Blog for providing the easy-to-follow supply list and directions: https://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2010/12/montessori-art-activity-making-snow.html

Oh, Yes! LOL! Happy Holidays!

Tip #4 to Reduce Children’s Holiday Stress: Be Open to Change and Talk to Your Kids

Traditions are wonderful and keep holiday memories alive. However, some traditions may not work for your family any longer. Talk to your children about which traditions they enjoyed and which ones they disliked and why. Discover together how your family can make a tradition more enjoyable and workable for your family or discover new traditions this year together!

Happy Holiday Season!!

Tip #2 to Reduce Children’s Holiday Stress: Work Up a Sweat

Exercise to a great way to let off steam! If your child is acting out, seems moody or slugging, he or she may be showing signs of holiday fatigue or becoming a bit anxious with all the holiday hoopla happening. To take a bit of the pressure off, exercise together. Physical activity releases endorphins and makes your body feel good. Plus, your children will love doing jumping jacks, playing tag, or dancing around the house with you.

We will have more tips for you soon!

The holidays are exciting and hectic times. There is shopping, holiday activities, parties, etc. Most adults become overwhelmed and anxious. What about children? Sure, they are excited and happy and have bundles of energy. However, the constant running and hustle of the season can cause children to experience anxiety and stress also. They can become cranky and moody and act out, adding to parents’ stress and already frayed nerves. Over the next few posts, we will provide you with some tips to reduce your child’s stress over the holidays.

Tip #1 to Reduce Children’s Holiday Stress: Stick to Routines as Much as Possible

This sounds impossible during the holidays, right? There is shopping to do. Friends to visit. Parties to attend. Cooking to prepare. Gifts to wrap. We know this. However, life does go on during the holidays. Children still go to school, eat dinner, complete homework, etc. During the holiday season, sticking to regular snack times, mealtimes, and bedtimes will help reduce your child’s stress. Attempt to stick all the other holiday activities around those few staple routines.

Stay tuned for our next post when we will have more tips for keeping your child happy and stress-free during the holidays!

Hope your holiday is filled with food, laughter, and love!

Kids home from school? Keep them busy with Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving projects and games! Thanks to the Carrots are Orange website, you can find many Thanksgiving-themed Montessori activities for your children. Check it out at https://carrotsareorange.com/thanksgiving-activities-for-kids/

Did you know that Stephen Curry, world-famous basketball star, had a Montessori education? Here are a few more people who did as well, according to The American Montessori Society:

Julia Child, chef, author, TV personality

Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Seth Curry, NBA player (Portland Trail Blazers)

Anthony Doerr, author, Pulitzer Prize recipient

Helen Hunt, Emmy Award winning actor

Gabriel García Marquez, author, Nobel Prize in Literature recipient

Morgan Saylor, actor

Will C. Smith, Jr., Maryland State Senator

Taylor Swift, GRAMMY Award winner

Will Wright, video-game designer (SimCity, Spore)

His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge

Check out this video from Stephen Curry briefly discussing his Montessori schooling at

Montessori Alumni Montessori alumni are noted for being strong and capable persons. They model initiative, independence, dignity, selflessness, sound judgement, and ability to work well with others.

Many people are confused when it comes to Montessori education. What is it exactly? What will my child be doing in the classroom all day if it is self-driven? Montessori Northwest is a terrific website that clearly explains what Montessori education is and what it looks like. Check it out at

Montessori Education — Montessori Northwest Montessori Education  WHAT IS MONTESSORI EDUCATION? | ABOUT MARIA AND AMI | WHY TEACH MONTESSORI? | INSIDE A CLASSROOM | FOR PARENTS | RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS What is Montessori Education?Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborativ...