"The reason for following Montessori ideas and practices, then, is not to be a better mother or father or to have a better child, or even because as a parent you love your child so much. It is because you respect your child and what he represents in the continuum of human life." -Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen, Montessori From The Start, 2003 These words struck a chord with me when I read them. So much so that I had to write them down. Then I had to read them aga

Respect for the child is one of the basic principles of the Montessori Method. Maria Montessori strongly believed that children should be treated with respect. Respecting a child helps develop trust, strengthen relationships, and build self-confidence. Here at OakHaven, we strive to demonstrate this in many ways. Every detail of every lesson is carefully designed for the child and his needs. Each word spoken to a child is carefully and respectfully chosen. Every aspect of the