2011-12 Princeton Montessori School’s faculty and administration believe that teaching children effectively requires close collaboration between parents, teachers, and administration. A strong supportive community is paramount and the involvement of family is an important part of the commitment to the school. Our goal is for parents and teachers to work together and support each other in educating and raising self-sufficient, healthy children.
Each year, we present Parent Education presentations and discussions to help parents with the various developmental stages and challenges that arise when parenting. Topics vary and are developmentally tailored to parents of children within different age groups and complement the Montessori philosophy. Princeton Montessori School also participates in CommonGround, a collaborative effort of fourteen Princeton area independent schools. Each year, CommonGround sponsors a lecture series featuring distinguished speakers who address contemporary educational and parenting issues.
We look forward to seeing you at these very informative sessions. All are welcome and for many of these workshops there is no charge. For more information, contact Ann Wilson, Director, Princeton Center Teacher Education (PCTE) at awilson@pmonts.org.
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Montessori Philosophy
Nine sessions; 6:00 – 9:00 PM; Begins Thursday September 22, 2011
Princeton Montessori School; Instructor: Rita Brenner
The Montessori Philosophy provides the foundation for developing purposeful, responsible and fulfilling lives for children. This class is based on the principles of the Montessori method as found in the primary works of Maria Montessori and various contemporary authors. Topics covered are the study of Dr. Montessori’s life; development of the Montessori method; preparation of an environment; observation; role for the adult; nature of the child; discipline, spiritual preparation and personal development of the teacher; Montessori child care and its historical foundations. There is a fee for these sessions. Click here to register online.
Smart Parenting for Smart Kids
Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 8:30 – 10:00 AM
Princeton Montessori School, Summit Room; Presented by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD
Target Audience: All Parents
Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author of “Smart Parenting for Smart Kids,” offers warm, sensible, and practical ways that parents can help their children build positive relationships and develop effective coping skills. She is also the author of “The Unwritten Rules of Friendship,” “Expressing Emotion,” and “What About Me: 12 ways to get your Parents’ Attention (without hitting your sister).”
CommonGround: SEX: How to Talk to Your Kids About It
Thursday, January 12, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Princeton Day School; Presented by Dr. Elizabeth Schroeder
Back by popular demand, Elizabeth Schroeder’s engaging and informative discussion about kids and sex and how we can talk to our children without overwhelming them (or ourselves). Dr. Elizabeth Schroeder is the executive Director of Answer, an award-winning national organization based at Rutgers University that is dedicated to providing and promoting comprehensive sexuality education to young people and the adults that teach them. Visit www.answer.rutgers.edu for more information.
The Family as a System: A Whole and Its Parts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 8:30 – 10:00 AM
Princeton Montessori School, Summit Room; Presented by Lee Gardner, LCSW
Target Audience: All Parents
The Bowen Family Systems Theory looks at the interconnectedness of all individuals within any relationship system. This broader perspective enhances the ability to understand factors that influence life. It helps one gain greater self-awareness and increase the ability to choose thoughtful, self-affirming ways to respond to relationship challenges. Lee Gardner, former Princeton Montessori School parent and faculty member of Princeton Family Center Education, will guide us though the development of family systems as babies grow into toddlers, toddlers grow into pre-schoolers, pre-schoolers grow into elementary and beyond.
CommonGround: The Power of Positive Attention - Teaching our children to achieve and maintain focus in a world of distractions
Thursday February 2, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
The Pennington School; Presented by August L. Leming, Ph.D
The attention of our children is arguably one of their most valuable assets. What they pay attention to becomes a part of them and their lives. Today’s fast–paced world constantly threatens their positive attention, attempting to redirect it on objects, experiences, and thoughts that do not serve them well. TV, video games, interactive websites, drugs and alcohol use all impact the attention spans of our children. Dr. August Leming will share techniques for harnessing a “here-and-now” experience, fostering healing, growth, and personal success with children and adults. He will demonstrate how powerful a focused human mind can be for both achievement and joy.
• How can we as parents help focus our children’s attention on the things that support their overall health and well- being, reduce stress, and assist them in resisting the temptations of destructive behavior?
• What exactly is the library of the mind and how do we access it?
• What are specific tools that adults and children can use to focus their mind on the task at hand?
New Offering!
Effective Discipline Strategies
Wednesday February 8, 2012, 8:30 – 10:00 AM
Princeton Montessori School, Summit Room; Presented by Rita Brenner
Infant, Toddler and Primary ParentsLearn to communicate in ways that will avoid power struggles and temper tantrums. Receive practical advice about using language that is respectful and positive and also serves as a model for children to use themselves. Planning ahead, keeping realistic expectations, and setting appropriate limits are just some of the tools that you will learn in order to build a peaceful home and respectful relationship with your child.
The Genius in Children: Bringing Out the Best in your Child
Wednesday February 29, 2012, 8:30 – 10:00 AM
Princeton Montessori School, Summit Room; Presented by Sunita Shah
This informative session will use the book “The Genius in Children” to make the case that each child has a genius, a spirit, spark, and a uniqueness that is “becoming.” When speaking of cultivating the “genius” in children, we are not talking about test scores or preparing for college, but more like uncovering the teacher that resides within the child. The role of the parent and teacher is to create opportunities that help children teach themselves. Sunita will also talk about ways parents and teachers can share, rather than duplicate, the roles they play in the child’s life. Parents being parents, and teachers being teachers, allow children to be children with space to develop their own authority.
Child Development
Nine sessions; 6:00 – 9:00 PM; Begins Thursday March 1, 2012
Princeton Montessori School, Instructor: Gwen Shangle
The Child Development Course provides a study of basic theories of child development according to the major child developmentalists: Rousseau, Dewey, Piaget, Froebel, and Vygotsky, etc. You will examine social, emotional, physical, cognitive and spiritual characteristic of children at their developmental stages. Current research based on scientific findings is woven into the lectures, videos and class discussions. There is a fee for these sessions. Click here to register.
CommonGround: Transforming Education for the 21st Century
Thursday April 19, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
The Peddie School; Presented by Tony Wagner
One of the foremost proponents for change in American education describes the skills needed in the “innovation society” that is supplanting our unsustainable “consumer society” — and identifies best practices for cultivating these skills in the next generation. Dr. Wagner, the founder of Change Leadership Group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, consults nationally on school improvement. Visit www.tonywagner.com for more information.
Global Luncheons
Global Luncheons are a way to gather as adults to share our diverse community though food. These three luncheons are themed by ethnicity and will provide a delightful means to learn the ways of others while, perhaps, sharing your ways! Mark your calendar now and expect more information to follow as the year unfolds.
Wednesday, November 9 | Indian Theme
Tuesday, January 31 | Mediterranean Theme
Friday, March 30 | Asian Theme
Meditative Yoga
Parent yoga classes focus on poses, breathing and meditation techniques. They are relaxing and offer wonderful health benefits such as flexibility, strength, and balance. Classes begin promptly at 8:30 and end promptly at 9:30 AM. Coffee and tea afterwards and a chance to chat! Erin Galbraith, a Princeton Montessori School parent, has practiced yoga for 16 years. She became a certified teacher in 2007 at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She was initially drawn to yoga as an extension of her interest in dance, and soon came to see the transformative effects of yoga in her life. She offers her gifts and her experience to you. 2011-12 Session Dates TBD.
