a child's place
Montessori Schools

Other Links

        Montessori Organizations:

American Montessori Society
The Montessori Foundation / Montessori Online
Montessori Connections
Montessori: The International Montessori Index
North American Montessori Teacher's Association

Montessori Tides School (533 2nd Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach; 904-241-1139)
Discovery Montessori (Jacksonville Beach Florida; 904-247-4577)
J. Allen Axson (1221 East 16th St., Jacksonville, FL 32206; 904-630-6880)
R.V. Daniels (1951 W. 15th St., Jacksonville, Florida 32209; 904-630-6870)

Please use the following websites as a resource to increase your own understanding of Montessori and what your child is currently doing in her classroom.  We do not recommend Montessori materials to be purchased as toys.  Many of the materials require a very precise presentation for a child to best be introduced to the inherent concept.  Many practical life materials, however, are perfectly appropriate for the home.  Please see the next section below for websites and names of good distributors of learning toys that are appropriate gifts for the home.

Michael Olaf
Neinhaus
Montessori-n-Such
Montessori Services
Bruins Montessori

 
Learning Toy Distributors

Rosie Hippos
Animal Town
Chinaberry (books)

Recommended Readings

* Good first readings.

Maria Montessori: A Biography by Rita Kramer
The Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori: Her Life & Work by E.M. Standing
*Maria Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Lillard
*Montessori Today by Paula Lillard
Montessori in the Home by Elizabeth Hainstock
The American Montessori Experience by Nancy M. Rambusch
The Montessori Revolution by E.M. Standing

The Child in the Family by Maria Montessori
The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori
The Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori
*Understanding the Human Being by Dr. Silvana Montanaro, MD.
        (Available through Nienhuis, 800-942-8697)
People Under Three: Young Children in Day Care
      by E. Goldschmied & S. Jackson
Nurturing the Spirit by Aline Wolf
Infants and Mothers by T. Berry Brazelton
Toddlers and Parents by T. Berry Brazelton
Touchpoints by T. Berry Brazelton
First 12 Months of Life by Frank Caplan
Second 12 Months of Life by Frank Caplan
The Six Stages of Parenthood by Ellen Galinsky
Oneness and Separateness: From Infant to Individual by Louise Kaplan, Ph.D.
Touching by Ashley Montague
The Formation of Man by Maria Montessori
Early Childhood Education Today by George S. Morrison
Maria Montessori: Her Life & Work by E.M. Standing
Positive Discipline: The First Three Years by Jane Nelsen
Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers by Mena Gonzalez & Eyer Widmeyer

The Discovery of the Child by Maria Montessori
The Secret of Childhood by Maria Montessori
The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori: Her Life & Work by E.M. Standing
*Maria Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Lillard
The Montessori Controversy by John Chattin McNichols
Nurturing the Spirit by Aline Wolf
Magical Child by Joseph Chilton Pearce
Children: The Challenge by Rudolf Dreikurs
The Hurried Child by David Elkind
Parent Effectiveness Training by Thomas Gordon
Endangered Minds by Jane Healy
Maria Montessori: A Biography by Rita Kramer
Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn
*Positive Discipline by Jane Nelsen
An Extraordinary Silence by David Cipolloni
Montessori in Contemporary American Culture by Margaret Loeffler, Ph.D.

The Parent's Handbook by Don Dinkmeyer and Gary MacKay
Systematic Training for Effective Parenting by D. Dinkmeyer and G. MacKay
Logical Consequences by Rudolph Dreikurs
How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk
        by A. Faber & E. Mazlish
A Teacher's Bag of Tricks by Greg Nelsen
Learning How to Learn by Nancy M. Rambusch
The Montessori Controversy by John Chattin-McNichols
Positive Discipline (any in the series) by Jane Nelsen
Montessori in Contemporary American Culture by Margaret Loeffler, Ph.D.
The Schoolhome: Rethinking Schools for Changing Families
        by Jane Roland Martin
To Educate the Human Potential by Maria Montessori
From Childhood to Adolescence by Maria Montessori
Education for the New World by Maria Montessori
The Formation of Man by Maria Montessori
Spontaneous Activity in Education/The Advanced Montessori Method
        by Maria Montessori
Education for Human Development by Mario Montessori, Jr.
The Story of the Universe by Brian Swimme
Self-Esteem: A Family Affair by J. Illsley Clarke
Growing Up Again by J. Illsley Clarke
The Ordinary is Extra-Ordinary by A.L. Dombro & L. Wallach
Parent Effectiveness Training by Thomas Gordon
Parent Effectiveness Training in Action by Thomas Gordon
How to Help Your Child Overcome Learning Difficulties by Jerome Rossner
Your Young Child and You by Eleanor Weisberger

Most of these recommended readings are at the Jacksonville Public Libraries.  We recommend calling or visiting their website at http://jpl.coj.net. a child's place also has several copies that can be borrowed by currently enrolled parents.
 

Fun Recipes

Play Dough
                2 cups of flour
                1 cup salt
                4 tsp. cream of tartar
                2 tbs. vegetable oil
                2 cups water with some food coloring dissolved in it

Mix above ingredients and place over low heat.  Stir often until mixture is like the consistency of mashed potatoes.  Turn onto wax paper or foil.  When cool, place on table to use.  Store in closed container at room temperature.  Can be used over and over again and can last up to 3 months.
 

Bubble Solution
                1/3 cup dish soap or baby shampoo
                1 1/4 cup water
                2 tsp. sugar
                1 drop food coloring

Combine ingredients and pour into an unbreakable bottle.  To blow bubbles, experiment using plastic straws, pipe cleaners formed into loops, strawberry baskets, spoons with holes in them, and other items you can think of!

*This recipe compliments of: Brenda Lovings in Hudson, IL

                Alternative recipe (larger quantity)
                1 part Dawn dish soap to 10 parts water
                5 tbs. glycerin per 10 cups of liquid
                Works best after it sits for awhile
 

Sensorial Cornstarch (feels like taffy!)
                Cornstarch
                Water

Mix together in a bowl until consistency is like that of taffy.  You should be able to put your fingertips in and have your imprints stay there briefly before slowly closing up.  This is a great object permanence exercise for toddlers.

* This recipe compliments of Jennifer Aung-Din, a child's place Mandarin in Jacksonville, FL
 

Colored Rice
                White rice
                Food coloring of choice
                Rubbing alcohol (drops)

Mix together in plastic bag.  Shake well until all pieces are coated.  Dry on newspaper
 

Safe Polishes
                Gold -- Wash in lukewarm, soapy water, dry and polish with a chamois cloth
                Silver -- Rub with a paste of baking soda and water
                Brass -- Mix equal parts of salt and flour with a little vinegar then rub.
 

Employment Opportunities

a child's place Montessori Schools are continually striving to build a caring and knowledgeable staff.  If you are a trained Montessorian or are interested in a career in Montessori education, please send a resume to Geoff Selhorst at 3718 Salisbury Road; Jacksonville, FL  32216 or send by e-mail to achildsplacejax@aol.com