Posts by Kaltun
Food Safety: Small Precautions That Can Save Your Child’s Life
As parents, we spend so much time thinking about what our children eat. We want them to have nutritious meals, develop healthy eating habits, and enjoy a variety of foods. But how often do we stop to think about how safely those foods are prepared and served? As the founder of a child care center…
Read MoreThe Magic of Fall: A Season of Discovery, Growth, and New Experiences
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year, especially through the eyes of a child. The changing colors, falling leaves, crisp air, and seasonal harvests create endless opportunities for curiosity, exploration, and learning.
Read MoreHow Our Words Shape Our Children
A Note from Kaltun In a world where we are constantly rushing, it is easy to overlook the little moments that shape our children’s lives. Between work, school, and everyday responsibilities, we sometimes forget how much weight our words carry in the minds of young children. As parents, we naturally want our children to succeed.…
Read MoreFrom Toddler to Primary: How Montessori Supports a Child’s Next Stage of Development
Around age three, children often become more interested in doing things independently. They may want to dress themselves, complete tasks without help, make their own choices, and spend more time exploring activities alongside other children. The Montessori transition from toddler to preschool builds on these developing skills. As children move into the Primary Program, they encounter…
Read MoreHow Montessori Helps Children Develop Social Skills Without Constant Adult Direction
Picture two four-year-olds who both want the same puzzle. In a Montessori preschool, you will often see them work it out on their own, with a teacher close by but not stepping in. That is how social skills in early childhood grow best. Children need real moments to practice, not constant instructions. Learning From Children…
Read MoreWhy Montessori Children Learn With Their Hands Before Working With Abstractions
A young child may find it difficult to understand addition using written numbers alone. Give that child twelve beads to count and group, and the numbers become something they can see and handle. This is the idea behind hands-on learning for children in a Montessori preschool: concrete experiences help children build an understanding of concepts…
Read MoreHow Montessori Builds Language Skills Through Everyday Conversation
Children build language skills through the conversations, stories, and everyday experiences they share with others. In a Montessori classroom, language development happens throughout the day as children listen to teachers, ask questions, describe their activities, and learn new words through hands-on exploration. These everyday interactions help children express their thoughts, understand others, and grow more confident…
Read MoreMontessori Parenting Tips: Help Me Do It by Myself
A Note from Kaltun “Help Me Do It by Myself” October 20, 2026 “Help me do it by myself” is a simple but powerful message that captures how children learn and grow through everyday experiences. As parents, we naturally want to help our children. We tie their shoes, clean up after them, and sometimes complete…
Read MoreWhy I Still Believe in Montessori
A Note From Kaltun: Why I Still Believe in Montessori By Kaltun Jama | October 12, 2026 After many years of leading Montessori School of Chantilly and working with children, families, and educators in Virginia and Minnesota, I still believe strongly in Montessori education. One of the reasons is that Montessori is intentional. In my…
Read MoreWhy Montessori Gives Children Real Choices Instead of Unlimited Choices
What happens when a young child is given too many choices at once? Instead of feeling empowered, they may feel overwhelmed, distracted, or unsure where to begin. Montessori takes a different approach. Choice and independence in Montessori are built around meaningful options within clear boundaries. Children have opportunities to make decisions, but the environment is carefully…
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