This week, we are going back to basics and breaking down the first and second plane of development. The first plane of development centers on 0-6 years of age. This child loves order, movement, and soaks everything up around her. The second plane of development is all about the 6-12 years old child. This child loves adventure, being social, and has…

On this fourth episode of All Things Parenting, my dear friend Leah returns to the podcast to talk about parenting. She has three beautiful children spanning the ages of 9, 4 and 16 months. We talk about the challenges and benefits of age gaps, finding the beauty in the simple things, and committing to building traditions with your family. Leah is …

On this episode of All Things Parenting, Zander is back to share his observations about entering a new phase of fatherhood. We discuss the hardship of watching your child get hurt, how to regulate our own emotions, and the beauty of the process. We touch on discipline and how we want to approach it as a team while Wilder grows. Sign up for the All …

This week I'm sharing my interview on the wonderful podcast, Know Ya Flow produced and hosted by my friend Lauren Barton. I'm sharing it here because I detail a very low point in my life that led me to therapy, working through failure, and embracing challenges that I was facing as a Montessori teacher. Check out Know Ya Flow!…

Dr. Shelby Kretz is back on the podcast! Rachel and Shelby talk all about Little Justice Leader's new digital resource, how to have hard conversations with children, and how to move past shame and embrace curiosity when learning about social justice. Join the LJL Community! https://littlejusticeleaders.thinkific.com/bundles/little-justice-leaders-c…

The second episode of the All Things Parenting series focuses on raising children from a stay at home mom perspective. One of my best friends, Alex joins me for this incredible conversation all about gentle parenting, raising two kids, veganism, and the love we both feel for parenthood.Oleh Rachel Merle-Smith

Kei joins Rachel to talk through Montessori Dance and how it can help educators introduce dance into their classrooms. They discuss how music is innate in humans, ideas of how to introduce dance to children, and the joy music and dance bring to the world. Danse Paix au Partage (International Dance Peace Sharing event) Dancing Towards Peace Presenta…

Understanding how to facilitate, organize, and prepare an environment that fosters student choice is one of the most challenging aspects of being a Montessori Elementary teacher. Educators who follow the Montessori approach know that Maria Montessori placed a lot of emphasis on the idea of “choice,” and while the notion of choice is universally cel…

The first episode of the All Things Parenting series focuses on fatherhood. My husband, Zander joins me for this episode and we discuss the first few months of parenting, grieving your former self, and his experience with Montessori.Oleh Rachel Merle-Smith

All Things Parenting is a new offshoot of All Things Montessori. Becoming a parent has been the most incredible experience, and I wanted to sit down with experts, other parents, and my own husband to talk through parenting and doing it in a Montessori way. New episodes coming soon!Oleh Rachel Merle-Smith

One of the best ways to create a learning environment that promotes positivity and productivity is play. When playing games, students become more comfortable with not only their peers but also their teacher. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how both structured and unstructured games can build a variety of social, emotional, and executive functioning…

As students get older, parents seem to become more inclined to pull their children out of Montessori programs. Especially when those classrooms have smaller groups of older students. Parents often think that there are disadvantages to keeping their older children in this setting, but it’s actually quite the opposite: there are numerous benefits to …

Join Rachel and Jamie as they sit down with the incredible authors behind to book, The Montessori Child. They discuss the four planes of development, the inspiration behind this book, and how parents can use this book as a guide to implement Montessori in the home. Get your copy of the Montessori Child! Check out the Montessori Notebook. Check our …

How does technology affect brain development in children? How can we mindfully incorporate technology into Montessori classrooms? Is social media inherently bad for adolescents? In today’s episode, Letty is joined by Dr. Luz Casquejo Johnston to discuss technology in relation to Montessori education, particularly for upper elementary and adolescent…

Hello there! I'm popping into your podcast feed with a catch up on what has been happening the last 2.5 years since the last podcast episode, including the launch of The Montessori Child book. The book picks up where The Montessori Toddler leaves off, covering how to bring Montessori into your home with 3-12 year olds, including a bonus chapter on …

This episode features the incredible Leah O'Connell, family and child photographer based in Charlottesville, VA. A best friend of mine and a innovative photographer, mother, and teacher we chat though capturing realness, doing Montessori in unique ways, and touch on parenting. Check out Firefly Photography!…

As Montessori educators, we learn a lot through training and practical experience about how to guide our students. However, we often find ourselves lacking knowledge when it comes to supporting students with additional needs. In today’s episode, Meghan Hicks joins Letty Rising to thoughtfully explore how we can best support children with learning d…

Hello! Welcome to the LTF Podcast! I am so glad you're here. In this episode I ramble on about routines; how to establish them and why they matter. This information can be applied to the classroom or at home. This episode is linked to the last episode about independence. Children are always in search of themselves, and who they are in the world, an…

Hello and welcome to the LTF Podcast! I am so excited to welcome you to another episode in which I share some insights on understanding childhood better. In this episode, I explore the notion that your young child doesn't need you in the ways you might think they do and that sometimes, getting out of their way is the best thing to do for them. I wi…

The elementary age is the time when children are really developing their executive functioning skills. A highly teacher-directed environment doesn’t really give students the space and grace to explore and develop these skills. A Montessori environment, on the other hand, is built for such exploration. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the var…

Maria Montessori’s theories of developmental psychology include her foundational observations of the planes of development for children. These planes outline various milestones physically and mentally as the child’s education progresses, and it’s so interesting to see common threads emerge when observing Montessori students in the classroom. In tod…

There’s a Montessori notion out there that we shouldn’t teach letter names along with letter sounds to our young learners. We’ve often heard that children don’t need to know the names of letters to read a word. And while that’s technically true, the Science of Reading suggests we should reframe our thinking around letter names. In today’s episode, …

Welcome Back! Although let's be real, most of you have been back to school for a couple of months now. But better late than never I suppose. In this episode, I share with you ideas for how to help your child or your students adjust to the new school year routine. I honestly believe these ideas are for any time of the year and hold true for establis…

As Montessorians, we’re not necessarily known for our humor in the classroom. The focus is, understandably, more on the learning environment. We don’t want to come across as being too silly or lose control of our learning environments. But what if a sense of playfulness could actually help enhance our learning? In today’s episode, I’m talking to Li…

Planning and recordkeeping is essential for Montessori educators. It provides alignment for your classrooms and allows you to articulate to parents what their children are learning. Meanwhile, it still allows educators the freedom and adaptability to explore their students’ interests more in depth. In today’s episode, I’m talking to Elizabeth Slade…

It’s no surprise that Montessori education is still growing in popularity and many people are becoming more interested in this model - as parents, as educators, and especially as owners. If you’ve wanted to own a Montessori school but don’t have an education background, it’s OK, it’s definitely possible to do so. In today’s episode, I’m talking to …

There are unique challenges in implementing a bilingual education program at the elementary age in Montessori schools for a variety of reasons, but it can be done successfully. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Marikay McCabe, founding partner of the Bilingual Montessori Project. We talk about the challenges, the common misconceptions, and the …

If standard Montessori teacher training taught you everything you needed to know before you stepped into the classroom, it would last way longer than two years! Chances are, you learned the content but not necessarily how to implement it in a real, everchanging classroom environment. That’s where supplementary education like the Elementary Bootcamp…

Studies have shown that children who are in language immersion programs through the elementary years end up becoming more proficient in their home language as they get older, and they also experience the benefits of cultural awareness. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Lindsey Barnes, Executive Director, and David Hernández, Elementary Teacher …

Over time, as more interpretations are overlaid on top of older theories, sometimes we can lose track of the actual meaning behind the source material. And when it comes to the 3 hour work cycle as applied in a Montessori setting, this seems to be the case. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Jana Morgan Herman, national director for Endeavor Sch…

Co-teaching in a Montessori classroom can definitely be a challenge. And with so many differing opinions on how to best approach a co-teaching relationship, it can be confusing to know how to get started. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Tania Torres-Delgado and Gabriela Gonzalez, co-teachers of a classroom of 48 students at Guidepost Montesso…

Join Rachel as she sits down with primary guide and friend Becky Myers-Pollock as they talk through Becky's unique journey to pregnancy while being in the classroom. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of miscarriage, fertility treatments, and pregnancy loss.Oleh Rachel Merle-Smith

Homeschool, especially since the pandemic, is becoming more and more common for many reasons—and the Montessori method is making its way into more homes than ever. As education continues to evolve, Montessori schools are offering homeschool programs that serve as a support for families who have shifted out of traditional schooling. In today’s episo…

The future of education is constantly shifting. Hybrid models that split the students' time between the Montessori classroom and homeschooling are giving way to entirely virtual homeschooling models utilizing the Montessori method. In today’s episode, I’m talking with 20-year veteran Montessori teacher Christine Sithichai. She’s sharing her experie…

Hello and welcome to the LTF Podcast! I am so happy you're here. You must have chosen this episode because you yourself are experiencing the amazing wonder that is the young child and asserting their independence, finding their voice and their self realization that their actions have power! In this episode I share with you some of my insights and i…

Writing opportunities present themselves in the elementary classroom in a variety of ways. Some students are naturally inclined writers, and others might lack the confidence to write. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Madeline Walk, Elementary Content Editor at Trillium Montessori. We’re discussing how writing fits into all aspects of the Monte…

We all have fundamental needs as humans, and understanding them from an early age is so important to a child’s development. These needs affect all children, regardless of age or familiarity with the lesson. In today’s episode, I’m talking about how to use the Fundamental Needs of Humans Chart to engage both younger and older children, to encourage …

In teacher training, we are taught that there is no ideal or perfect number of lessons to present on a given day. And yet, in practice, many teachers often find themselves wondering how many lessons they should present or if they’re getting it right or need to be doing more or less. In today’s episode, I’m talking about the many reasons why there i…

This week, Rachel sits down with a life update and talks through her journey to this incredible milestone.Oleh Rachel Merle-Smith

In this episode of The Preschool Podcast with Jo and Maddie, our hosts talk about one of the biggest challenges in childcare: burnout. WebMD describes burnout as “[A] form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. It’s a result of excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress. … Burnout happens when you’re overwhelmed, em…

Transition times in the elementary classroom can be tough. Children find it particularly difficult for a number of reasons, and it can be a struggle for teachers as well to make sure that the day flows as smoothly as possible for all of their students. In today’s episode, I’m sharing about best practices, as well as what to avoid, when it comes to …

This week, Rachel sits down with Jamie Rue and Meg Trezise of Rising Tide Montessori to talk about their new Mentorship Program, Montessori Mentor On Demand. Interested in Montessori Mentor On Demand? Learn more by clicking on the link below! https://risingtidemontessori.podia.com/montessori-mentor-on-demand-for-the-3-6-practitioner…

In the first full episode of The Preschool Podcast with Jo and Maddie, our hosts discuss one of their favorite topics in early childhood education: Process vs Product. What does it mean to focus on the process rather than the product when it comes to making art with young children? Jo and Maddie start with a definition taken from our Circle Time Fa…

We’re living in an age of AI, and education is no stranger to technological advancements. While some teachers see this as a challenge to overcome, technology can help transform how you approach planning and preparing in the Montessori environment. In today’s episode, I’m talking about a new language tool called ChatGPT, and the many ways teachers c…

Rachel sits down with Chelsea Roberts, who leads the development of the Homeschool program for Guidepost Montessori. Through this work she supports families around the world who want to bring Montessori's plan of education as an aid to life into their homes. We talk all about the details of homeschooling, accessibility, and how to get Montessori ou…

Love for your child is absolutely something you probably don't ever have to question or think about, right? In this episode I explore the definition of love, the aspect of attachment and how your love for your child could potentially be holding your child back in their development and quest for independence. I explore how our adult mindset and need…

Welcome to the introductory episode of The Preschool Podcast with Jo and Maddie! Get to know our new hosts as they share their journeys into early childhood education: their first days on the job, the struggles they faced, and their personal philosophies of education. This episode also includes a Lightning Round where Jo and Maddie quiz each other …