Montessori Tides School – Jacksonville Beach, FL

Most people would agree that good etiquette is in short supply today. Basically, people have let go of the social niceties that used to be a natural part of life. But wouldn’t we all love to have homes, classrooms, and jobs where people were respectful, helpful, and kind? This may seem like an unachievable dream at times, especially since lessons of grace and courtesy are so easily overlooked.

If you have been following our grace and courtesy series, by now, maybe you have noticed a few basic things about these important life lessons. To sum up: These lessons are developed in the family and classroom environment from the earliest of age. They are what lay the foundation and are really the child’s microcosm for understanding how the world interacts.  Although many of them are simple

Discussing the proper way to treat plants and animals is one very important aspect of grace and courtesy. Maria Montessori felt strongly from birth a direct link between child and nature must be maintained. As a school that bears her name, Montessori Tides preschool, creates an environment of love and respect for everything beholding the breath of life. We feel providing an atmosphere of plants and animals in both the home and school lays the best foundation for a lifetime of comfort and interest in nature. After all, a child has been given every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. In addition, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the

Young children are naturally focused on themselves. This is a normal stage of intimacy and toddler-hood, but as children grow older it’s vital they start to notice the needs of people around them. As discussed in previous blog post, grace and courtesy on a smaller level typically begins with adult modeling and peers in the toddler and primary program. Once children begin in the elementary level, the idea of grace and courtesy takes on a wider perspective.

Most young children want to be a part of something grand, something important. Think back to when you were young, before doubt and accusation took hold. Did you want to be a doctor, a fireman, a police man, or maybe a marine biologist? Whatever position you desired it existed simply because young children have a sense that they have a vital role to play;

Several years ago I was sitting in my office (the floor of my closet, my most quiet place) reading the book, How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way, when I felt something unmistakable – the feeling I get when the words seem to jump off the page. I thought, Wow! That is so powerful. I have no idea what it means, but it’s true. (As usual, my spirit grabbed it much faster than my mind).

The quote I had read was “While not every teacher is a parent, every parent is a teacher”. It was as if a simple sentence had just exploded in my heart, and I knew it had powerful implications extending far beyond the context.

For the next moment I pondered on the phrase teacher, trying to imagine myself as a “teacher” in the midst of my

Harmony between people is part of the social skills and conflict resolution that is the gist of any Montessori Tides classroom. Establishing “ground rules” with the help of the children is vital at the beginning of each school year. Role-play and discussion is done throughout the school year to help keep these established rules on the forefront of each child’s mind. This way, children know how they should treat others and how they should expect to be treated.

Teachers and parents are encouraged to be watchful observers of child/child interaction. Sometimes adult intervention is necessary. This is especially seen more in the toddler program. Mrs. DeAnne, Toddler Lead Directress, points out, “In the toddler classroom, the adult is the primary model”. Other times, behavior can be addressed through peer mentoring, at line time or group time without