Montessori from Birth: Month 8

By Amy Livingston, The Shared Environment

Flower arranging is a favorite in many Montessori classrooms. Here’s how that same activity carries into the fall season, as children gather pine cones, leaves, and grasses on a nature walk and use them to make their classroom beautiful.

By Amy Livingston, The Shared Environment 

Does this sound familiar? You’re trying to leave, but your child won’t put on their shoes. Then it’s a meltdown over which shoes. Then they want to bring three stuffed animals to school. By the time you’re finally in the car or standing at the classroom door, you’re both in tears.

By Amy Livingston, The Shared Environment 

The Shared Environment will multiply the opportunities that Montessorians are already working so hard to offer.

By Matthew Enloe | Cerca Cultivation

This guide covers growing techniques, flavor profiles, and post-harvest care for marigolds and nasturtiums. You’ll learn how to identify healthy seedlings, maximize shelf life, and integrate these flowers into your garden-to-table routine. The focus is on practical, high-yield strategies for home growers.

By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori

One of the most important Montessori materials for this age is a Montessori practical life activity, such as pouring or spooning activities. These activities promote independence, concentration, and fine motor skills, and can be introduced in a structured and simple way.

By Montessori Beautiful

In Montessori classrooms, every item is designed to be useful and beautiful to a child. Materials are high quality and long-lasting. Moving parts are just tricky enough to present an age-appropriate challenge, while still being manageable.

By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori

At this age, Montessori materials can be used to promote exploration, support language development, and encourage independence.

By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori

Wooden push or pull toys, stacking rings or towers, and simple matching games can become favorites in your home for years to come!

By Sara Cotner of Monarch Readers

We believe that beginning readers deserve phonetically-controlled, beautiful books. While children learn to read, we also want them to learn that reading is fun. Children deserve “mirrors” that help them see the beauty in themselves, as well as “windows” that help them see the beauty in the world around them.

By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori

Support your little explorer with ramps and challenges - couch cushions were a favorite surface at this time!

By Matthew Enloe | Cerca Cultivation

Ready to transform your thumb from brown to green? Cerca Cultivation shares invaluable advice for aspiring gardeners, revealing the absolute easiest vegetables and herbs to cultivate, setting you up for immediate success in your first growing season.

By Leonora Shell of Essential Montessori

You may notice items tucked into your shoes, or their favorite toys tucked within other containers at this age. It's great to give your little one a safe alternative to fulfill this desire!