“Is it too late to enroll?” and other FAQs about Mid-Year Enrollment
The start to the school year may have been unlike any other, but we hit our stride and had a great fall! Together we enjoyed many of our favorite fall …
Five Benefits of Montessori Education
Choosing a preschool for your child can feel like a daunting task. Depending on where you live, your options might be limited or seem endless. If there is a Montessori …
The Importance of Circle Time in Montessori
Please note: Some images used in this post were taken before the pandemic. Children and staff currently wear face masks and adhere to our COVID-19 Precautions plan. A Montessori classroom …
Back to School, Back to Montessori
Dear Ms Keturah and Ms Helena, I have no words! All of you are just AWESOME and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! L**** was so happy …
Back to School We Go!
As we get closer to the start of our 2020-2021 school year, there are still so many questions and concerns regarding the safety of returning to the classroom. Here at …
Yes, we are open! Here’s what to expect:
Our 2020-2021 school year is underway! If you have a preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten-aged child and you need in-person child care and education, five days a week, please give us …
Preparing to Return to School: 3 Steps for Independence
Here at Children’s House, we have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year. We are rearranging our schedule and our daily routines in order to better accommodate …
One Day Closer to “Normal” and Here’s What We Know
As we inch closer to reopening businesses and schools, we are all trying to anticipate what our new normal will look like. Will we all be wearing masks to school …
Montessori During Quarantine: Everyday Life Lessons
There’s a reason Maria Montessori called the first school, Casa dei Bambini. It means “Children’s House,” because a Montessori classroom is meant to replicate a child’s home. The classroom is …
FAQs Answered: Closures, Tours, and the Upcoming School Year
Spring has sprung, and although Children’s House is currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak and Virginia statewide shutdown, we are optimistically looking toward the future and anxious to get …
Kids and Quarantine: A Few Thoughts for Parents
We are at the beginning of what could be a very long period of one of the strangest times in our shared history. We are fighting an invisible enemy with …
How to Find a Good Preschool: Questions, Observations, and Red Flags
It’s almost springtime here in Northern Virginia, and many folks are looking ahead to summer and then to the upcoming school year. If you have a two-and-a-half to three-year old …
4 Important Lessons Kids Learn in Montessori
Children are learning every day. They learn by experience, by example, by formal instruction, and a million ways in between. They watch, listen, experiment, and repeat. If they’re lucky, they’ll …
Clean Up Time: The Importance of Completing the Work Cycle
If your playroom, basement, or family room looks like a toy shop exploded in it, that’s okay! In this post we’re talking about the importance of completing the work cycle …
Every Child is an Artist | Our Montessori Art Curriculum
Here at Children’s House, art is one of our favorite things! Each classroom has a dedicated art area, and it’s safe to say that art activities are among the most …
“Where’s the dress-up corner?” Montessori and Imagination
When you walk into a Montessori classroom you might notice something missing. There’s no dress-up corner or play kitchen. There are “blocks” on the shelves, but the children are “working” …
Creativity in the Montessori Classroom
Creativity is more than art and music. It means trying new things and looking at a challenge with a different perspective. Montessori classrooms are filled with opportunity for creativity and …
Eat the CAKE! The Importance of the Montessori Kindergarten Experience.
So you made the hard decision: you found a Montessori program that you love! You’re happy, your child is happy, everyone can settle down and enjoy the ride, right? Not …
Why are Montessori Classrooms Mixed Age?
There are many differences between Montessori schools and traditional preschool programs. One of the more noticeable is the implementation of mixed-age classrooms rather than age-based classrooms. Visit a good Montessori …
Montessori Quotes to Inspire and Uplift
If you needed a reminder about how intelligent, observant, and forward-thinking Maria Montessori was, type “Montessori quotes” into a search engine. Her words reflect an insight into childhood development in …
10 Ways to Encourage Independence in Your Child at Home
It starts with the little things, like helping scrub potatoes or put their socks in a drawer, and it builds. Soon, your little one is not so little and they’re …
30 Things to Say Instead of, “Good job!”
Your child just tied her shoes, crossed the monkey bars, showed you a drawing, or helped carry in the grocery bags. If you’re like many parents out there, the words …
Understanding Montessori: What do the children do all day?
There is often a veil of mystery over the goings on in a typical Montessori classroom. Children come home with reports of “doing work,” which sounds kinda serious. They talk …
Is Your Child Ready for More? Three Key Signs of Preschool Readiness
It can be a tough call. For many families with young children, knowing when a child is “ready for more” can come with a lot of doubt and uncertainty. Maybe …
We are Thankful!
It’s that time of the year! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s only natural that we spend some time reflecting on all the wonderful things we have in our …
Foster Internal Motivation with these 4 Phrases
If you’ve ever had a hobby or pastime that you did just because it made you feel good, and there was no prize or other compensation at the end, then …
What is Montessori? And Other Common Questions
Despite the fact that Montessori education has been around since 1907, there are still some common misconceptions about what it is and what it isn’t. “What is Montessori?” is a …
Teaching Character Development in Early Childhood: Part 5 (Excellence and Creativity)
This is the fifth post in a monthly series that will be devoted to practical tips for using the Virtues language when teaching character development in early childhood. We’ll explain …
Three Reasons Why Montessori Makes Sense
We’ve explained the difference between Montessori and traditional preschools and we’ve told you what to look for in an authentic Montessori program. We haven’t filled you in though, on why …
Build Your Child’s Vocabulary: 3 Activities for Fall
When you’re out and about doing fun family activities this fall, take the opportunity to add a little language boost to your outings! We’re going to give you three tips …
Encourage Independence in Young Children: Our Top 3 Household Picks
Most parents are well-versed when it comes to baby-proofing their home. They know that there are cabinet and drawer locks to be purchased, safety gates to be installed, and electrical …
Teaching Character Development in Early Childhood: Part 4 (Cooperation and Respect)
This is the fourth post in a monthly series that will be devoted to practical tips for using the Virtues language when teaching character development in early childhood. We’ll explain …
The First Weeks of School at Children’s House
It’s finally fall! It seems like it’s been a long time coming this year, but here in Reston, Virginia we are ready for all the beautiful changes that are coming …
How Do Montessori Schools Teach Independence?
If you’re new to Montessori, one of the first things you’ll notice is that there’s a lot of emphasis placed on the importance of teaching a child to be independent. …
Teaching Character Development in Early Childhood: Part 3
This is the third post in a monthly series that will be devoted to practical tips for using the Virtues language when teaching character development in early childhood. We’ll explain …
What’s the Difference Between Montessori and Traditional Preschool?
Some of the most common questions parents have when looking for an early childhood program focus on the difference between Montessori and traditional preschool. Parents want to understand how Montessori …
What to Look for in a Montessori Preschool
Wondering what to look for in a Montessori preschool? There are so many schools to choose from, so be sure you do your homework to find a school that is …
Five Key Elements to Creating a Natural Play Space for Children
Creating a natural play space for your children is one of the best ways to encourage them to spend time connecting with nature and less time inside, watching TV or …
Teaching Character Development in Early Childhood: Part 2
This is the second post in a monthly series that will be devoted to practical tips for using the Virtues language when teaching character development in early childhood. We’ll explain …
Motivate Children Without Praise and Rewards
Did you know that it’s possible to motivate children without praise and reward systems, like sticker charts, prizes, or treats? Have you heard that rewards and praise work immediately, but …
Dinosaur Summer Camp Adventures!
We’ve been having so much fun at dinosaur summer camp this past month! Kids LOVE dinosaurs and we always have fun with this theme! Weather permitting, we still spend our …
Teaching Character Development in Early Childhood: Part 1
Teaching character development is part of any good early childhood program. Children need a safe space in which to express and regulate their emotions and an early childhood classroom provides …
Potty Training Facts to Put Your Mind at Ease
Going to the bathroom part of life, but learning how to do it doesn’t have to be stressful, drawn out, or complicated. Sometimes, just knowing a few potty training facts …
Limited Choices Lead to Cooperation
Children want their opinions known! Help them make positive choices that work for everyone AND allow them a sense of control over their environment.Read more Limited Choices Lead to Cooperation …
Summer Fun has Begun!
Summer Camp at CHMS is underway! We have six weeks of camp scheduled and are looking forward to a fun change of pace in the coming days. Read more Summer …
Make this Summer Memorable, the Montessori Way
Summer is here! This much-anticipated season has the potential to be the “best summer ever,” but before you get overwhelmed by the seemingly endless possibilities that await you and your …
A Visit from a Former Student… and an Igloo??
When your school has been open for 16 years, visits from former students can be eye-opening. Those three year olds who joined us at circle time our first year are …
Visiting an Art Gallery with Children: Five tips to make it fun!
We love field-tripping with our kindergarteners! This past week saw our third and final field trip of the year, this time to the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, …
Spring Gardening Begins!
Last Friday saw the start to our spring gardening sessions and it couldn’t have been better; what a perfect day for gardening! It was a lovely warm day and the …
Spring is Finally Here!
There’s no place like our playground in the spring! The children are so excited to finally be able to go outside WITHOUT COATS ON! We are outside almost every day …
An Authentic Montessori School in the Heart of Reston
Now enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year!Read more An Authentic Montessori School in the Heart of Reston …
Where the Love of Nature meets the Love of Learning
Our wooded playground invites discovery, curiosity, activity, and learning.Read more Where the Love of Nature meets the Love of Learning …
The Hidden Gem of Reston
A small, family-centered, nature-focused, authentic Montessori program for children ages 3 to 6.Read more The Hidden Gem of Reston …
Inspiring Young Artists since 2003
Now enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year!
Read more Inspiring Young Artists since 2003 …
Home Away From Home
Schedule a tour and feel the difference for yourself!Read more Home Away From Home …