Walk to Italy – Waterford

First stop Waterford!

Waterford is Irelands oldest city situated on the southeast coast. It was founded by Vikings in 914 A.D and parts of it’s ancient walled core remain today. Waterford is best known for manufacturing glass with Waterford Crystal first being produced in 1783. If you plan on staying a night or two, you can rest your weary head at Waterford Castle Hotel & Resort. The luxury hotel attracts guests from far and wide with it’s distinctive combination of historical and modern features.

Why have we stopped in Waterford you ask? Well, Maria Montessori made a very special visit in 1927 to Newtown School located here. She took great interest in the artistic productions of the children aged 9-12, declaring them unique. Maria’s visit promoted the Montessori philosophy which would shape Ireland’s education system.

Montessori Fun Fact: Maria Montessori has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize (1949, 1950, 1951).

Activity: Cereal Box Viking Helmet

Materials

• Empty cereal box
• Grey duct tape
• White duct tape
• Scissors
• Pencil

Step 1 – Create Helmet’s Lower Rim

Open your cereal box and cut out one side of the box. Then, cut the piece in two for the rim. Measure to the size you need for your child’s head. Lay the box flat and cover one side with grey duct tape. Once the rim is covered, fold it over and add a little more tape to the end to keep it in place.

Step 2 – Create Helmet’s Upper Rim

Use one side of the cereal box and cut off the flaps. Cover in grey duct tape for a silver metallic finish. Fold over and tape one end down to the inside of the helmet. Repeat the process on the other side.

Step 3 – Add Your Horns

Using the other side of the cereal box, draw a horn shape and cut it out. You can use the cut-out horn as a template for the second using the remaining cardboard. Cover each horn in white duct tape and create a small fold on the bottom of each. Place the fold of each horn onto each side of the helmet and secure with grey duct tape.

Step 4 – Add Large Studs to Helmet

Using any remaining cardboard or paper if not, carefully cut out some circles and cover with more grey duct tape and tape into place all over the helmet.

Now you’re a Waterford Viking!

What is Montessori for Dementia?

By Jennifer Brush

What is Montessori for Dementia?

I am asked a lot to define Montessori for dementia.  Many people have heard of Montessori schools for children, but are not clear how it applies to adults.  Montessori philosophy, based on the principles of free choice and purposeful activity, has historically been focused on children’s education. However, its essential principles and practices are increasingly seen as critical to enhancing the lives of the older adults in our care. Central to both the Montessori philosophy and person-centered care are the core values of respect for the individual, the importance of knowing the person deeply, seeking and honoring the elder’s preferences over all aspects of his or her daily life, and creating a supportive environment that allows for continued participation in familiar and preferred activities, inside and outside.

In a Montessori community for elders, persons with a wide range of abilities work both individually and collaboratively on an array of activities from which they are free to choose. Elders have freedom to move within the community and to engage in household roles and responsibilities, with guidance as needed by trained staff. The focus is on the well-being of the whole person, including physical, spiritual, social, mental, and emotional needs. Communities offer occasions for new learning, religious practices, meditation, art, music, exercise, and so forth. In addition, there are opportunities for interaction with children, friends, family, and groups outside of the care community.

What follows is a brief description of each of the essential features of  Montessori for dementia communities.

Prepared Environment 

The prepared environment is designed to facilitate maximum independence and exploration by all members of the community. Hands-on adult activities and materials are accessible to elders 24 hours a day. This allows elders to feel ownership of their space, encouraging participation in care of the community.

Freedom of Movement 

Elders choose where to sit and what to work on, with guidance or assistance as needed from trained care partners. They are encouraged to move about the environment rather than remaining seated or in one place all day. This freedom of movement helps elders to maintain balance, fine and gross motor skills, and overall healthy functioning of the body’s systems.

Hands-On Activity 

Elders work with both specially designed materials and everyday household items. Activities are hands-on and often involve movement and sensory stimulation. Each activity has multiple purposes. These may include strengthening gross or fine motor skills, maintaining hand-eye coordination, developing sustained attention on a task, or providing sensory stimulation. The purpose of an activity may also be artistic expression, enjoyment, or the satisfaction that comes from making a meaningful contribution to the community.

Intrinsic Motivation 

Humans are born with an intrinsic desire to explore and learn. Rather than focusing on keeping elders “busy,” the prepared environment provides opportunities for choice, independence, and meaningful engagement. When elders are free to follow their interests and meet their own needs, they feel fulfilled rather than bored.

Concentration

With regard to elders, we think of concentration as joyful engagement in work that one finds satisfying. Care partners do not interrupt elders’ concentration when they are engaged in meaningful activity and only offer assistance when it is needed.

Independence 

Humans are naturally driven toward achieving independence. Therefore, a Montessori prepared environment is set up to facilitate maximum independence for elders. Care partners invite them to engage in daily tasks (either independently or in partnership) rather than completing these tasks for them.

Mixed Abilities of Individuals 

Elders of different abilities work together, form friendships, and help each other in a supportive community. Peer collaboration is encouraged; elders share their strengths with others who need more support in those areas. Rather than staff taking over all leadership roles, elders have opportunities to use their leadership skills in areas of strength and interest.

Individualized Engagement 

Every elder living in a Montessori community has an individualized plan that is created as a result of assessment of and collaboration with the elder and his or her family (when applicable). This individualized plan is communicated to all staff so that the community as a whole works together to support the elder in meaningful life engagement.

Observation 

Observation is an integral part of the Montessori philosophy. We recommend routine observations of all elders in the community, both when they are on their own and when interacting with others. Observation enables us to gather information that will help us adjust elders’ individualized care plans to better meet their needs.

Grace and Courtesy 

Social skills such as offering and responding to greetings remain relatively intact through aging and dementia, so elders enjoy opportunities to welcome guests, invite friends to join them during activities, help others, and to assist with caring for the community. In a care community, it is the role of the staff to model grace and courtesy at all times and to assist elders who need support with these skills.

Older adults and people living with dementia have the same needs as everyone else—to feel valued and respected. In the absence of a cure for dementia, socialization and engagement in purposeful activities is a powerful treatment for the symptoms associated with dementia. People with dementia still need to feel wanted, learn new information, have relationships with friends and family, and contribute to the community. A Montessori community provides a safe, engaging, and meaningful environment for elders to live a purposeful and rewarding life.

Montessori Assistant – Smart Cookies Montessori

I am looking for a student who could work for me from the last week of May to the end of June to cover a maternity leave. 
I pay €15.00 per hour plus 8% holiday pay. 

The job would consist of:
Preparing the drinks, sterilising bucket (toys)  and children’s bags early in the morning. To meet and greet the children as they come in. To bring the children to the toilet when needed.  To supervise the children and help them with their Montessori activities. To wash out the beakers after lunch and generally assist the other two teachers and myself.   We have 20 children in our Montessori and we are in a Parish room in St. Patricks Church, Harbour Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin 

My phone number is 087 9934240 if you need to call me.
Kind regards
Lisa MardellSmart Cookies Montessori 

Childcare Graduates

Safari Childcare are happy to interview childcare course graduates and experienced childcare graduates for positions of work experience and employment in our services. We are opening a brand new centre in Clancy Quay Dublin 8 in late July 2021 with a number of other new centres in Dublin to be announced very soon.

We are paying salaries at 24,000+ bonuses up to 40,000+ bonuses. There are a host of other benefits to be discussed with the right candidates. We are looking for around 45 new people to join us over the next 12 months. We have a significant number of international students coming from childcare university courses abroad doing work experience, many of whom return for employment which is great but we feel more could be done to work with our domestic colleges.

E-mail: cian@safarichildcare.ie

Childminder Monkstown

My wife and I are looking for an experienced and reliable Childminder for our three girls – toddler aged 3 and twins aged 1 in our home in Monkstown. It’s a part time position for 24-23 hours a week. Times, days, length of days are negotiable.

If interested contact Padraig: paudiewilliams@gmail.com

Montessori Teacher Blackrock

Little Apples Academy are looking for a full time Montessori teacher to start with us in September/ end of August. We are a small school in Blackrock village. We take children from 2 onwards and really want someone who loves to work with children.

Contact Gemma on: 0867792578

Childminder Cabinteely

I’m looking for a kind, energetic person to help mind my three children Monday to Friday after school and full days during the school holidays as our current minder (who is Montessori trained!) is starting maternity leave soon.

I have 10 year old twins and a six year old. The twins are a boy and girl and thee six year old is a little boy. I

need someone who can drive and has their own car. The first school collection is at 1:20 and the second is at 2:20. My daughter is dropped home by a school bus every day at approximately 3 o’clock. I need someone to help with the homework, after school activities, playing and preparation of a simple evening meal. Some light housework is required and every second Friday is free. I come home by 5:30 every evening and there is an earlier finish on Tuesdays and Thursdays usually around 4:30.

We live in Cabinteely near Kilbogget park and playground. If interested contact: nicolamccurry@gmail.com

How to Use Montessori Materials with Older Adults

By Jennifer Brush

Engaging, beautiful and purposeful, Montessori materials are great for everyone.  Just as Montessori classroom teachers guide and support students instead of lecturing to them, Montessori staff guide and support older adults instead of doing everything for them. Staff and elders work shoulder to shoulder as equally valued members of a shared community. Older adults and people with dementia are invited to take on leadership roles in their areas of interest, such as leading a book discussion group or planning the menu for a holiday meal. Montessori materials for these activities are neatly organized, labeled, and physically accessible all throughout the living area. Staff guide elders with these roles and activities until they build new routines, and their skills improve to the point that most are able to enjoy these activities on their own.

So, what do Montessori materials, roles, and activities for elders look like?

Plant Care

Once learning that an elder enjoys gardening, we may invite her to take on the role of watering and caring for the houseplants in the community. This role allows her to make a meaningful contribution to the community, while also encouraging her to move freely and maintain her balance, allowing her to work on fine and gross motor skills, and participating in something familiar. In addition, staff may introduce this elder to other related activities, such as flower arranging or using nomenclature cards with images of flowers.

Nomenclature Cards

Nomenclature cards are Montessori materials that are often used with children for building vocabulary and concepts in all subject areas. Also known as 3-part cards, this Montessori material consists of pictures and matching labels; using the material helps elders to maintain their ability to read, identify and name objects, and sequence the steps of an activity. Nomenclature cards use something called control cards as a way to help the individual to self-correct without interference from staff.

Metal Insets

Metal Insets, a cornerstone material in Montessori classrooms, can also be enjoyed by elders. In tracing the various stencils, elders practice their fine motor control, hand eye coordination, concentration, and sequencing. The artistic component of creating different designs with the stencils, drawing lines, and shading is a creative outlet. Elders often use the metal insets to design stationary to use for correspondence with family and friends, and can build the skills necessary for more sophisticated art projects, as well as maintaining independence with activities of daily living that require fine motor control, such as buttoning and spooning.

The Montessori philosophy for adults gives older adults the opportunity to grow, engage, love—and most importantly, live.

Dr. Maria Montessori wrote that “joy, feeling one’s own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul” (Montessori, 1987). Montessori is more than an educational model; it is a philosophy of life for people of all ages.

You can change lives and improve elder care by implementing the Montessori philosophy in your care setting, and we can help by training staff and providing step by step coaching to help you be successful.

Walk To Italy – Virtual Fundraiser

Join SMSI in the Walk to Chiaravalle, Italy! A fundraising activity inspired by the birthplace of Maria Montessori. Join in with members, parents, faculty staff and students as we walk virtually from Dun Laoghaire to Chiaravalle, ‘passing through’ some well-known (and not so well-known) corners of Europe.

At each ‘stop’ you will receive an update on the top ten places to visit, a fun recipe to make with the family, a children’s activity and a Montessori fact! Let your mind relax and explore on this virtual holiday while we take you to far away and exotic places.

To join is easy, we ask you to commit to the following steps:

1. Like our SMSI Facebook page to receive updates.
2. Join the fundraising event on Facebook.
3. Make a donation or encourage others to donate to SMSI Fundraising where we will continue to use this support to promote our 2025 strategic goals.
4. Order a pedometer or track your steps on an app!
5. Get a group or go at it alone!
6. Count/Log your steps for the day.
7. Post your weekly goal on social media with the hashtag #smsiwalktoitaly

From start to finish this trip is over 4,392 kilometres (that is 7,000,000 steps)! On this trip, we will journey from Dun Laoghaire all the way to Chiaravalle, Italy, passing through the following destinations:

Dun Laoghaire, Waterford, Oxford, London, Amsterdam, Noordwijk aan Zee, Brussels, Paris, St Foy de la Grande, Barcelona, Nice, Florence, Rome, Cita de Castello, Chiaravalle.

In each location, we will learn about the destination, places to visit, see beautiful photos, learn a fact or two about the city and Montessori, as well as having a fun family-friendly recipe or activity to do altogether,

We, St. Nicholas Montessori Society are committed to raising money to support Montessori Education in Ireland and throughout the world. Join us in this exciting event to bring your family together in a happy and healthy way!

Live-in Montessori Childminder – London

Irish family seeking a warm, kind and fun sole charge live in Montessorian (ideally, but not necessarily qualified) to join our family to look after our fantastic boy (5) and girl (2). Previous nanny is moving on after 4 wonderful years. Beautiful own entrance large self-contained studio apartment adjoined to the family home in Beaconsfield (25 minutes from London Marylebone on train – great for exploring London on the weekends!). Our house is a 15 minute stroll to Beaconsfield town which has lovely coffee shops, and shops etc. 20 minutes drive from Heathrow airport.

Start ASAP but flexible for the right candidate. 5 days a week 7.30am, Monday – Thursday with a 1.30pm finish on Fridays. Term time son in school 9-3 and daughter in Montessori 9-12 so would be possible to combine with part time study. Generous holidays.

Salary negotiable £26,000 – £33,500 gross per annum, subject to experience (no rent/living accommodation expenses). Salary paid through nannytax, we would deduct PAYE.

You would be welcome to stay at weekends or go elsewhere at weekends. Ideal candidate will have a passion for Montessori philosophy and a love of the outdoors, enjoy activities such as baking and arts and crafts and have an educational focus. Must have a full driver’s license and impeccable reference. Will have use of car.

Duties to include:

• School / nursery / after-school activities drop off and pick up.
• Preparing healthy simple hot dinner each day.
• Helping with homework.
• Bath/bedtime from time to time.
• Responsible for children’s laundry.
• Light housework (e.g emptying dishwasher, keeping kitchen, children’s bedroom and playroom tidy. We have a cleaner also.)

Contact Heidi on 00447531281014 or email heidigallagher@hotmail.com.