Issue 95 April – June 2010 £5.00 MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALpublished by the Montessori St Nicholas Charity www.montessorimagazine.com MONTESSORI MONTESSORI Issue 95 April – June 2010 INTERNATIONAL published quarterly by Montessori St Nicholas, London Editor: Amanda Engelbach Editorial enquiries Tel: +44 207 493 8300 MONTESSORI welcome e-mail: [email protected] from Marketing and Display Advertising enquiries Catherine Tubbs on +44 207 493 8300 e-mail: [email protected] Job advertising enquiries the editor Stephanie Ilo, e-mail: [email protected] Subscription enquiries elcome to this issue on supporting boys’ Stephanie Ilo on +44 207 493 8300 education and development. There has Annual subscription rates, incl. p&p (4 issues): been much in the news recently about boys UK £19.95; Europe £29.95 / €45.00; W Rest of World £33.00 / US$65.00 falling behind and ultimately underachieving in school Students (incl. p&p): UK £15.95; Europe £23.00 / €36.00; Rest of so I wanted to look at the many ways teachers and World £28.00 / US$56.00 parents can understand and meet the needs of boys. E-magazine (4 issues): UK and overseas £14.95 Chris Manville in his article on boys in the The views expressed in Montessori International are not necessarily those of Montessori classroom on page 12 looks at the differences in the ways boys the publisher and editorial team, nor are advertisements endorsed by them. interact with their environment. He stresses the importance of Address: Montessori International, 18 Balderton Street, London W1K 6TG recognizing that boys explore and interact with the environment in ways Fax: +44 207 493 9936 that are different to girls and that these differences need to be Montessori International is designed by Stuart O’Neil, acknowledged, valued and provided for. Design for Print (UK) Ltd, www.dfponline.com Dr Aric Sigman in his article on page 38 reiterates this point by Printed by Stones the Printers, Banbury, Oxon exploring the brain development of boys and girls concluding that during ISSN 1354-1498 the early years, we may have to completely rethink our current notion EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD that boys are in some way intellectually ‘disadvantaged’ and instead “vive Marlene Barron, PhD. Professor, Education, New York University, la difference!” Sally Goddard Blythe looks at these differences and NY, NY; recently retired Head, West Side Montessori School, NY, NY; explores how these can be nurtured in an educational environment on past President, American Montessori Society. Sue Briggs, BA (Hons), Mont Dip and Advanced Mont Dip, 18 page 14 of this issue. years teaching experience. There has been much in the news about the problems arising in our John Clarkson, BA BSc(Hons), MEd, AdvMontDip, FLS MIBiol society because of an aging population including the care of Dementia AASM LIHP, Registrar, Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre L-MD, Montessori Assessment & Education Ltd. patients. The Montessori Method is proving to be a possible answer in Wendy Ellyatt, MA. Consultant, writer and researcher in holistic various countries around the world notably the US, Austria and the UK. education systems. Founder www.F2be.com Christine Mitterlechner, a Montessori teacher from Austria spoke to Wendy B. Fidler, Mont. Dip(Hons) MCMI DMS AI RgNI CCI CMed. Montessori and Special Educational Needs Research Consultant me about her award winning work with Montessori for seniors which I and Expert Witness, Dyspraxia Foundation Trustee. have reported in this issue. Sighle Fitzgerald, International Montessori Consultant, Dublin, Ireland. I hope you all have a lovely Easter break. I’m off to Abu Dhabi to visit Barbara Isaacs, Academic Director, MCI and Senior Accreditation my sister and 1 year old niece for a couple of weeks so will be enjoying Officer for MEAB. some much needed sun! Shirley Maxwell, MA Lecturer, University of Surrey, Roehampton, London, UK. Best wishes, Mairi Maciver Clark, Dip Pr Ed, Dip SW, CQSW; MD of Mulberry Bush Montessori Killearn & Glasgow, Chair of MSA (Scotland) & Director of SINA. June P. A. Rowlands, Cert. Ed, Mont. Dip, International educational consulting in UK, US and Far East. Phyllis Wallbank, M.B.E, Founder of the first ‘all age’ Montessori Amanda Engelbach, Editor Learning Centre in the UK, 1948 and friend and associate of Dr Maria Montessori Aline D. Wolf, Co-founder of 3rd US Montessori school, international lecturer and author of 26 Montessori-related books. Website: www.montessorimagazine.com APRIL – JUNE 2010 Montessori International 1 contents 14 18 8 32 Feature articles Regular departments 11 Meeting the needs of boys 38 PC pupils?- Rethinking our 3 News in the Montessori classroom gender-neutral agenda 24 Bright ideas Chris Manville looks at practical ideas to Aric Sigman explains why we should be 28 Reviews support boys embracing the differences in male and female behaviour and learning styles in 32 Ask the Expert Q&A 14 Why boys and girls have the early years different needs in the early 42 Education & Special years 39 How can Montessori Needs and Sally Goddard Blythe looks at the early influence our parenting? Disabilities Update development of both sexes Tessa McTaylor discusses the importance 47 Star Products 18 Engaging boys’ interest of toddlers walking outdoors 56 Global Links through exploration 41 Behind the Scenes Classified Advertising Pat Brunton and Linda Thornton suggest exciting activity ideas Claire Warden from Mindstretchers talks 49 Teaching opportunities about her company ethos 20 Montessori for seniors 52 For Sale/Seeking to purchase Christine Mitterlechner talks about her 42 ADHD and boys work in Austria Wendy Fidler explores the latest research 53 Teacher Training 22 The outdoor classroom into ADHD Sarah Olley-Dorey suggests design ideas 44 Beyond banning war and 31 A day in the life of Camila superhero play Batmanghelidjh Diane Levin explores how to meet children’s needs in violent times Camila talks about her charity Kids Company 48 Is your nursery adequately 34 Back to basics protected against loss? What are the risks for teachers and how Jackie Hyde from dot2dot nursery Cover Photo: can we ensure our backs are healthy? insurance offers some useful tips www.sxc.hu 2 Montessori International APRIL – JUNE 2010 news New Trustee for Charity News Update Over the past five months Trustees of the Charity have been busy Montessori St Nicholas with their AGM and annual strategy review together with their monthly committee meetings. Enormous strides have been made The Trustees of the Montessori with the expansion of the MEAB accreditation scheme (which will St Nicholas Charity are delighted cross the 100 mark this year) and the MSA, which now has ten to announce the appointment of thriving regions, an energetic National Council and nearly 3,000 Dr Catherine Hobey-Hamsher as a members. The Trustees have agreed to increase funding for both new member of the board. schemes. Dr Hamsher read Classics at Newnham College Cambridge and her PhD was in Greek art at University College London. Dr Hobey-Hamsher currently teaches Greek and Latin at the London Oratory School, is a Steward at The Globe Theatre, a Trustee of the Friends of The Royal Free Hospital and a Magistrate in the City of London. NES Arnold joins Montessori Philip Bujak (bottom right) and the Trustees of Montessori St Nicholas We are delighted to announce the partnership of NES MCI is also thriving with the largest intake for the last five years Arnold and Montessori St Nicholas. and the BAC accreditation of the College which awarded 25 out of Combining years of experience 25 is a tremendous tribute to the quality of teaching and learning and expert know-how, NES at MCI. offers cutting-edge resources to Distance Learning for our diploma course is also expanding at its all levels of education. fastest rate for eight years and the new electronic memory stick First2learn is the NES Early format is proving popular as is the availability of a virtual tutor to Years brand which features a support students all the way along. vast range of educational resources and equipment. With a strong Our PR profile too has grown steadily with strong interest in emphasis on play-based learning First2learn develop unique resources Montessori from the DCSF, the government and the Tory party. The with the help of educationalists across the UK. Trustees’ vision is to open at least one and possibly two bespoke NES is delighted to be Montessori’s preferred schools resources supplier Montessori schools in London over the next three years and the for 2010. By working alongside such a renowned organisation as senior management team is actively working on this. Eleven Montessori, we will in turn bring benefits to our customers and student grants were awarded in the autumn and three UK schools Montessori-accredited schools and nurseries. We look forward to a in need were supported with equipment. We are also supporting successful partnership in 2010. our friends in Haiti as are other organizations and we hope to Philip Bujak said “I am delighted that we have been able to start what I contribute to the rebuilding of a Montessori school in the next few hope will be a long and fruitful relationship. It is now up to Montessori months. Philip Bujak, CEO. schools to make use of the generous benefits already being offered to them by NES Arnold.” Montessori continues to Top marks for MCI make the headlines Philip Bujak, CEO has been interviewed by all the Montessori Centre major broadsheets on Montessori’s strategic vision International was for the future, including the bespoke state Montessori MONTESSORI awarded full marks by primary school that the Charity plans to build by 2012. The Montessori the British Accreditation Council (BAC) following their accreditation state primaries were also highlighted as living testimony to the benefits visit in November 2009.