Top
Image Alt

Kindergarten

  /  Kindergarten

A blog by Colleen Noll Hey Parents, Last time we talked about why boredom feels uncomfortable at first; and why that restless stretch is actually the beginning of something good. Today I want to show you what that “something good” can look like in real life. These are a few true stories from our own MPO6 household. No perfect parenting here. Just regular family life, a little creativity, and a lot of ordinary moments that turned out better without screens. The Refrigerator Box That Took Over Summer One summer a large refrigerator box made its

by

A Blog by Colleen Noll Hey Parents, Let’s be honest for a second. When your child declares “I’m booooored” in that long, dramatic, slightly accusatory tone, it doesn’t feel like a beautiful learning opportunity. It feels like a problem that needs fixing, preferably in the next 30 seconds. And if we’re being even more honest, boredom can feel uncomfortable for us too. We live in a world that constantly offers something to watch, scroll, or listen to. Sitting with empty space feels strange at first. Almost itchy. So why does boredom feel so painful in

by

A blog by Colleen Noll Hey Parents, Let’s talk about the real-life moments when the tablet feels like the easiest (and sometimes only) solution. Playdates Car rides Restaurants Rainy days These are the situations where even the most intentional parents start eyeing the glowing screen like it’s a life raft. I’ve been there. And while our MPO6 kids grew up before tablets were a constant option for little ones, we still had to figure out how to get through long drives, restaurant waits, and indoor days without turning every quiet moment into screen

by

A Blog by Colleen Noll Hey Parents, After surviving the first big “No iPad!” meltdown, the next question I always hear is: “Okay Colleen… so what are the rules supposed to be?” Great question. Because vague ideas like “less screen time” sound nice until you’re standing in the kitchen at 7:15 a.m. with a tired toddler and a phone in your hand. I’m not here to hand you a rigid rulebook written by people who’ve never met your child. I’m here to share simple, age-appropriate guidelines that actually stick; the kind that work in real

by

Walk into any of our classrooms this month and you will find children practicing how to push in a chair. That small moment is one of the first lessons we give, and one of the ones we care about most. Grace and courtesy is the part of our Montessori curriculum where children learn how to move through a room and how to treat the people in it. Our guides give lessons on sitting at circle time, pushing in a chair, carrying a water pitcher down the hall without spilling a drop, and

by

(For parents of young children who are currently living through the great screen standoff) A blog by Colleen Noll Hey Parents, We have all been there. You’re in the car. The morning is already running five minutes behind. Your two-year-old is strapped in, and the second the engine starts, they ask, “Phone? Cartoon?” in that sweet little voice that somehow carries the weight of a full courtroom demand. Or worse… you’re walking into school, and that same tiny human has their face buried in your phone, eyes glued to a cartoon, completely missing

by

Our California kindergarteners spent Friday morning at San Jose Fire Station 16 with the C Shift Crew. They arrived at 10:00 AM in their field trip shirts and the most excited look on their faces. The crew was waiting at the open bay door. Our children got close to the engine and looked over the gear that hangs ready beside it. Why This Trip, and Why Now August on our cultural calendar belongs to "Me and My Community," our geography topic for the month. Right now the concept of community helpers is fresh

by

Kindergarten in our Montessori classrooms looks different from a typical kindergarten year, and we want every incoming family to appreciate that difference firsthand. Each kindergartner has their own designated space in the classroom, complete with a pencil box of tools built for their work period. This is where independence takes root: children choose their work, return their materials, and move through their day with a sense of ownership over their own learning. Families who attend Kinder Orientation will see that space in person, along with the kindergarten field trip shirt, kinder journal,

by

What a vibrant and joyful journey we have shared! As our Summer Habitats Curriculum comes to a beautiful close, we celebrate two unforgettable weeks exploring the lush, layered, and colorful Rainforest Habitat, and the incredible growth we’ve witnessed across every age group. From soft crinkle leaves and bright tissue-paper flowers to layered garden beds, sprinkler “rain” play, and final touches on keepsake books and dioramas, our children have immersed themselves in the magic of the rainforest. The energy, creativity, and wonder in our classrooms have been truly inspiring. What Each Age Group

by

We have just completed two sunny and fascinating weeks exploring the Desert Habitat! From gritty sand and warm pebbles to clever animal adaptations, our children across all age groups have been discovering how life thrives in hot, dry places through joyful, hands-on Montessori experiences. Whether they were sprinkling colored sand, building pebble collages, feeling dry vs. wet contrasts, or adding a new layer to their dioramas, every child experienced the desert in ways that matched their age and curiosity. What Each Age Group Explored in the Desert Nido (9 months – 2 years) Our

by