Long work week

Sorry for no post lately folks.   It has been a crazy week for me as far as work goes.   I rarely talk about my work on my blog, but I guess today is the day I do that.

I am a Montessori educator.  For those of you who are not familiar with Montessori education, I will explain a little bit about it.    Montessori is an educational philosphy that was started by Maria Montessori.  She was the first female physician in Italy.   Through her observations, she created an educational environment with self directed learning materials.   The teacher's role in the classroom is to observe the children at work and give lessons on how to use the materials.

Most people are more familiar with the Montessori method for children ages 2-5. But there are also programs for infants and toddlers,  I have been a Montessori teacher now for 9 years, with most experience being with children ages 2-3.   I am currently working with a school to help them create a Montessori infant environment.  

This school will have the only Montessori infant environment in our area.   This project is really a labor of love.  Our goal is create an environment that will provide infants with a home away from home.  Allowing them to have a trusting bond with their caregivers.   We are also working with a designer to help us create an area within the environment for nursing mothers.   It is our goal to provide them with an area, where if they choose,  can come in as time in their schedule allows and nurse their child.

Right now, we are putting all of the finishing touches into the room.    I am also working on writing a "curriculum" for this program.   We are wanting to include baby sign language and Spanish.   These will be incorporated by singing and speaking to the child.  

It is our hope that the environment will be ready for children by the end of the month.