Another Year

What a great school year we had!  I have only been off two days and I am already missing all the funny and thoughtful things the children say and, of course, all their hugs!  Here are the graduates and a few of their activities:  baking, writing, enjoying our feast together, celebrating birthdays, and visiting the elders.  They are a strong and self-assured group, more than ready to make the world a better place!

Preschool Pays Off

Today in the Minneapolis StarTribune there was an article on a study the University of MN did on preschool efficacy.  Again, as in other studies,  the importance of preschool to later adult success was noted.  It is obviously necessary to find a way to offer all children the opportunity to go to a quality preschool.  When these studies are coupled with the brain research studies that are mapping the young child's brain, the evidence points to a Montessori approach.  We have a responsibility as educators to find avenues that lead to at least the possibility of a Montessori early childhood experience for all children.  Here is a link to the article:  http://www.startribune.com/nation/123589354.html.

The Whole, Wide World

I wanted to share this with you to note my sister's work.  Years ago, after she returned from a Peace Corps assignment she made this scaled copy of the world.  While she was in Cameroon, she helped paint a larger version of it on the side of her village school.  It makes me happy to see this painting in our Casa.  It almost feels like the earth itself is looking over, protecting, and blessing our environment.  It also is a great reference tool and conversation starter.  What a very cool planet we live on.  That is my assistant of nine years with two of our children in the photo.