Multilingual Montessori

Interested in learning French? Spanish? German? According to professor John McWhorter, there’s never been a better time to do it: https://t.ted.com/hf7ZrKo

This week on the Multilingual Montessori podcast, I'm speaking with Mariana Bissonnette, author of the book "Babies Build Toddlers: A Montessori Guide to Parenting the First 18 Months." Mariana is an internationally recognized speaker, author, AMI 0-6 trained Montessorian and AMI 3-6 Trainer-in-Training working with parents, teachers, trainees, and school leaders in implementing Montessori on either side of the classroom doors. She is also the founder of The PEACE Program (Parent Education and Child Empowerment) where she supports families, Montessori educators, and Montessori schools. Mariana’s work centers on the depth of the Montessori method in service of the child’s liberation from oppressive systems that constrain their ability to develop as they are trying to. Our conversation focuses on language development, particularly in the first 18 months of a child’s life. Mariana talks about the "three trimesters of language development," which I found endlessly fascinating! She shares her own experiences learning multiple languages and raising Montessori children with her husband, who is also a Montessori educator. We also talk about her book, Babies Build Toddlers, and how we can best support children in the early years! Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ek7TFkjZ

This week on the Multilingual Montessori Podcast, I'm speaking with Nichole Holtvluwer, a mom and Montessorian with over two decades of experience working with young children! Nichole currently lives and works as a Montessori Toddler Guide at Hala Kahiki Montessori School on the island of Lāna’i, part of the Hawaiian archipelago, with her husband and their 3yo daughter and 7yo dog. You may know Nichole as ?Radicle Beginnings on Instagram?, where she shares lots of information and inspiration about supporting babies and toddlers using Montessori principles. Nichole is a hopeful enthusiast who believes when young children are respected and understood by the adults who surround them, they have the power to change the course of our world.? We recorded this conversation back in February, and we covered topics including toddlers, multilingualism, and moving halfway around the world for Montessori! Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ezQxkRvN

Registration is now open for the Montessori and the Ecological Consciousness Summit, an online event hosted by TrilliumMontessori.org! ?? This three-day virtual event is dedicated to helping Montessori educators seamlessly integrate sustainability practices into your curriculum, supporting you in fostering environmentally aware and socially responsible learners. ?? I'll be presenting on the topic "Rooted in Diversity: Crafting Cultural Responsiveness through Botany Education," and I'll be joining exceptional group of leaders in ecological consciousness and Montessori education - including Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, who is delivering the keynote address! The Summit will take place from June 17-19, and early bird pricing is available now through May 30. I hope you'll join us! ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/eMN5quda

I was thrilled to co-create American Montessori Society's first self-guided, fully online course for Montessori educators, called "Demystifying Multilingualism in Early Childhood. Check it out!