National Family Literacy Day is a great opportunity to re-connect with your children through reading.  While there are not specific activities being hosted at the Wichita Public Library for this holiday, all you need is a library card and a visit to your favorite branch to get started on the celebration. The librarians love to get to know families, and help personalize your reading list. Designating a time to read as a family is a great way to instill the tradition in your household, and it’s something children hold on to in their “we always” memories. To get additional suggestions about ..read more

As students return to classrooms across the United States there should be one date highlighted and bolded on every school calendar—September 21, International Day of Peace. Recognition of this day can be celebrated many ways. Some schools and houses of worship put up a Peace Pole or banner, showing their support of peace around the world. Some communities organize a service project or hold neighborhood picnics. At Compass Star Montessori, we always read “Can You Say Peace?” by Karen Katz, and discuss the fundamental needs of people around the world. We also do our best to promote peace through ..read more

One day during class, one of our families brought in an adorable, grinning, six-month-old girl. She was very sweet and, like every baby, dependent on others for everything. Spending just that short time bouncing and cuddling her reminded me of the many hours I spent with my arms full of my own babies. Those babies are now 13 and 15, and my hands are full driving to swim practices, music, dance team practices, basketball games, and Scholars Bowl tournaments. Both scenarios are part of the dynamic of parenting, and those and every stage in-between are incredibly busy with the business of raising ..read more

As parents, we are constantly being reminded that our children need to have less screen time. While we may know the importance of reducing screen time, we may not know the best way to actually accomplish this task. This can lead to frustration and may result in a declaration of “No screens for a week!”—met by tears and frustration. Here are some ideas to help you accomplish this task, with minimal upset and perhaps even a little fun: Be the change you wish to see How often have we told a child to turn off a TV/tablet/video game while holding a phone in our own hand? By modeling the behavior of ..read more

Have you been told by a school administrator, teacher, or psychologist that your child is “exceptional?” This seems to be happening more often these days. There are many different kinds of exceptional, with some more challenging than others. And any time a parent finds out their child is not “typical,” it can be confusing and intimidating. While every child is unique, there are some things parents can keep in mind should they receive a diagnosis of “exceptional” or a suggestion that their child should be tested. The first, and most important thing for parents, is to maintain and strengthen att ..read more

Many families wonder what the next steps will be after their child completes the cycle of Montessori Elementary. While choosing a school comes down to very personal preferences, the steps to prepare for the transition to a conventional program are the same. Here are some of the key items to cover as you start the process of moving to a new program: Conference with your Montessori teachers—By letting your teachers know which programs you’re considering, they can help start preparing your student for the move. For example, if the new program has a heavy homework load, the teachers can start wor ..read more

A natural part of the transition process for children growing out of the early childhood stage is for them to seek out more independence. They start to pull away from their parents, and they want to spend more time with their friends and less time at home. So how do we promote healthy independence while giving the child the tools they need to be safe in the different environments they’ll encounter? With great power comes great responsibilityWhile a middle school or an older elementary student might not be as enthusiastic about chores as an early childhood student, they are very capable and rea ..read more

Parents often ask how they can help their young children gain more independence at home. Setting up the environment and providing appropriate support are vital to their success at achieving independence. Here are three easy ways to set up an environment that promotes independence: Bring things down to your child’s level Offering a step stool to help a child be more independent can be useful in some cases, but bringing the work to the child’s height can actually be safer and even more beneficial. For example, instead of a bathroom step stool, offer your child a small table with a mirror and t ..read more

It’s hard to believe, but summer break is almost here! At Compass Star Montessori, we encourage year-long learning through the opportunity of reading throughout the summer. Reading should be an exciting discovery for the child, and when this happens, they can develop a lifelong love of books. Summer reading is also the best antidote for the ‘summer slide,’ minimizing learning loss during the school break. Here are some tips for integrating reading into your child’s daily summer activities: Check out the summer reading programs at your local public library. They’re a great resource to get book ..read more

Spring Break is here, and it is a great time to take advantage of some extra family bonding. If you are planning on spending the week in town, there are many family-friendly activities in Wichita you can explore. Here are a few local spots that are fun and enriching: Take a nature walk at Great Plains Nature Center, observing all the new things that the start of spring brings. You can also feed the turtles and fish along the way! Visit one of the many local libraries around town. Finding and reading new books is a great way to reinforce a love of learning. The branches are also hosting many f ..read more