by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
If there is one quality that defines the spirit of Montessori education, it is wonder — that deep, joyful curiosity that makes learning feel alive. Long before a child can read or write, before they know the names of the continents or the rules of grammar, they...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
One of the great challenges — and opportunities — in education today is finding ways for Montessori and mainstream schools to learn from one another. Despite the apparent differences, these two systems share a common purpose: nurturing children into capable,...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
If Montessori education is to remain strong in the century ahead, the single most critical factor will be the preparation of the adults who guide the children. Buildings may change. Technology will evolve. But everything depends on the quality of the human...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
Budgeting, Funding, and Financial Planning for Your Dream by Tim Seldin, Montessori Foundation Once you’ve clarified your vision, confirmed your licensing or private-school pathway, and begun looking for the right property, the next big question usually looms...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
(First, a disclaimer: This article draws from public court records, state employment laws, and my many years leading independent and Montessori schools. It is not legal advice. Employment law varies dramatically between jurisdictions, and private schools...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
When your child is enrolled in a Montessori program, their learning doesn’t begin and end at the classroom door. One of the most wonderful aspects of the Montessori approach is that its principles can be seamlessly extended into your home — enhancing your...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
Filling Empty Seats with Heart and Hustle: A Proven Playbook for Montessori Schools From the Montessori Foundation — Helping Schools Thrive Since 1992 For more than three decades, we at the Montessori Foundation have helped schools across the country respond to...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
Disclaimer: I am not an attorney. The information in this article is based on publicly available sources and reflects my best understanding of current law and best practices. It should not be considered legal advice. For guidance on your school’s specific...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
Montessori 101: What Every Parent Should Know as We Begin the Year Dear Parents, Welcome — or welcome back — to another exciting year at our Montessori School! Whether you are just beginning your journey with us or returning with a child who’s blossomed in our...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
Tantrums, sibling rivalry, emotional overwhelm—these are real, and they’re hard. Any parent of a toddler or preschooler knows the sting of a grocery store meltdown or the tension of a fight between young siblings over the same toy for the third time that morning....
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
Ask Ms. Montessori Practical Wisdom for Parents In this column, we invite parents to bring their questions about raising children the Montessori way. Ms. Montessori offers gentle yet firm counsel rooted in deep respect for the child’s natural development. Whether the...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
Last week, a school administrator confided her frustration about a situation many of us have seen. One of her assistants said she “just loves” when a teacher plays the Silence Game. In this version, when the children become noisy, the teacher calls the Silence Game...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
Years ago, when I first sat down with a group of eighth graders in a traditional private school to talk about grades, one boy said something that stayed with me: “I feel like my grades are a race I’m losing — even when I’ve learned more than I did last year.” That’s...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
On November 1, 2025, child care will be free or highly subsidized for every family in New Mexico, regardless of income. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s decision to remove income limits, end copayments, and boost reimbursement rates is a major shift in public...
by The Montessori Foundation Staff | The Montessori Way
Ask Ms. Montessori Practical Wisdom for Parents In this column, we invite parents to bring their questions about raising children the Montessori way. Ms. Montessori offers gentle yet firm counsel rooted in deep respect for the child’s natural development. Whether the...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
1907-2025 Welcome to the 119th Montessori School Year! If you’ve tried to hire a preschool teacher in America in the last year or so, you know it’s not easy. Great early childhood educators are in high demand—and in short supply. And even when you manage to hire...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
1907-2025 Welcome to the 119th Montessori School Year! NOTE: I would like to acknowledge my colleague, Jonathan Wolf, with whom I have taught courses and presented on this topic. His wisdom inspired much of what we have to share. Every school leader has faced...
by Tim Seldin | The Montessori Way
1907-2025 Welcome to the 119th Montessori School Year! One of the most meaningful ways to understand your child’s Montessori experience is to come and see it for yourself. Montessori classrooms are carefully designed learning communities, and when parents sit...
