The Del Ray Montessori School is a non-profit Montessori School located in the quaint Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, we are associated and recognized by AMI/USA (Association Montessori International). Founded in 2011, we serve children ages 18 months through age 12 and their families in the DC metropolitan area.
DRMS practices Positive Discipline in the classroom, which is a focus on teaching children necessary life and social skills in a positive manner. Positive discipline focuses on teaching children how to learn from their actions or behaviors and to understand how their actions may impact others and themselves. Children learn to be respectful, contributing members of their community. Positive discipline is based around respect, patience and guidance.
The exercises of Practical Life provide the foundation for all other activities in the Montessori classroom, fulfilling the child’s plea: “Help me to do it myself!” Through exercises in daily living, such as pouring and scrubbing, sewing and gardening, or practicing grace and courtesy skills, the child gains confidence and mastery of the environment. You can help your children master these skills by providing them opportunities at home to participate in practical life activities.
Young children are constantly striving to build their own independence, which helps to build confidence and decrease power struggles. The below articles and resources are provided to help parents support independence inside and outside of the home.
Resources and articles you can refer to as parents to help use positive discipline at home:
Positive Discipline 101: Offering a positive method to redirect children in a way that is respectful, yet firm.
Positive Time Out (Taking a Time-In)
Activities and guidance to encourage practical life activities at home:
Resources on how to build independence at home:
Follow three primary children as they flow through their three-hour morning work period.
Toilet learning. An approach on how toilet training is addressed in a Montessori environment.
