Many parents choose Ottawa-area Montessori schools, which are markedly different from the traditional classroom. Sheryl Bennett-Wilson explains the appeal of this popular, child-focused philosophy.
Focus on Education
Have bikes, will travel
This Hintonburg family is pressing ‘pause’ on their Ottawa lives, taking their children out of the classroom, and embarking on the cycling trip of a lifetime, writes Sonia Mendes. The Heffernan-Wilker family is definitely on a roll. Hintonburg resident Kathleen […]
Social and emotional learning in the early years
By Monique Lanthier and Catherine Millar Talk, sing, write, read and play with your child to set the foundations for early learning and attachment The first six years of life set the foundation for children’s mental health and social emotional […]
Back-to-school checklist
While the return to the classroom is thrilling for parents and kids, there’s just so much to be done. Samantha Ball has the rundown on what parents need to get ready for the new school year. First Steps • Call […]
Summer Literacy Calendar – Family Activities
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Mother Goose Day! Read a Mother Goose book. Make a paper plate goose. Sing your favourite nursery rhymes while in the car or playing at home. Bird Day!Go for a nature walk, listen and […]
Best backyard science experiments to try this summer
One way to minimize the impact of the summer brain drain is to plan educational activities like science experiments with your kids. As an added bonus, the great weather allows you to take experiments outdoors, opening up a whole world […]
Avoiding summer ‘brain drain’
With school soon letting out, teachers, administrators, and parents will be thinking about summer “brain drain,” also known as summer learning loss. Many studies show that there can be a significant regression in a child’s academic skills during the 10-week break from the classroom. Elaine Tan Comeau, a Canadian […]
‘Information leads to enlightenment – we should not be fearful of that’
Cathy Coote remembers the sex talk she received from her parents as “very awkward.” She wants to approach it differently and more openly with her own children, with ongoing discourse as questions arise. “I want my children to feel that they can come […]
For the love of math
5 ways to get kids pumped about this crucial subject Many of us grew up hating math class or believing we aren’t good at math. And we may subconsciously be passing our biases to our children. Math skills are required to function in today’s […]
Kids who read succeed – How to choose the best books for your child
Children’s reading interests and needs change as they grow. As you help your child choose good books, here are some basic things to look for: Choosing a book for a baby Cloth, board or washable books Books with different textures Pictures of […]