All Things Montessori
by Rachel Merle-Smith
Welcome to the All Things Montessori Podcast, a podcast devoted to discussing everything Montessori. From classroom management to self-care, Montessori at home to staying inspired in this work; we cover it all. Hosted by AMI Trainer and Consultant, Jamie Rue and Montessori Teacher and Administrator, Rachel Merle-Smith. Email us at: [email protected] Follow us at: @allthingsmontessori
Episodes
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How Great Stories Spark Curiosity & Wonder
Great stories, epic tales, fantastical journeys, and mythology are all vital to the elementary classroom experience. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at Sprout! Get 15% off your purchase at Mindful & Co...
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Revisited: Freedom & Responsibility Part 2
In this revisited episode, Jamie and Rachel dig deeper into freedom and responsibility and focus on how it can work for all types of children. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at Sprout! Get 15% off your...
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Revisited: The Montessori Child with Simone Davies & Junnifa Uzodike
Join Rachel and Jamie as they sit down with the incredible authors behind to book, The Montessori Child. They discuss the four planes of development, the inspiration behind this book, and how parents can use this book as a guide to implement Montessori in the home. Get your copy of the Montessori...
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The Montessori Entryway
Struggling to create an entryway that works for you and your family? This week, Rachel talks through the Montessori approach to the home and how it can take shape in the entryway. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your...
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The All Things Montessori Mailbag: Ask Me Anything!
This new segment on the All Things Montessori Podcast answers questions from our community! Interested in submitting a question? Send me an email at [email protected]. Check out Little Justice Leaders! The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out....
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Revisited: Remaining Inspired in Our Montessori Work
Revisit this dynamic episode where Jamie and Rachel sit down and talk through ways to keep your inspiration and energy up throughout the school year. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at Sprout! Get 15%…
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How to Encourage Independent Play at Home
Does independent play seem nearly impossible with your children at home? Listen to hear all about the Montessori approach to independent play and why it's so important. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at...
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Who is Maria Montessori?
Join Rachel for a historical deep dive into the spectacular woman behind the Montessori method, Maria Montessori. Association Montessori Internationale - Biography of Maria Montessori American Montessori Society - About Dr. Maria Montessori The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out....
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Creating a Montessori Kitchen
This week is all about the kitchen! Rachel talks through a practical approach to creating a space for children in the kitchen, emphasizes why it matters, and discusses the benefits of learning kitchen skills at a young age. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out....
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Revisited: Talking Transitions, Summer, and Change with Jamie Rue
Look back at this amazing episode discussing the responsibility the Montessori guide can feel in the classroom, how to survive summer with your children at home, and the changes we've both been through since starting All Things Montessori. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out....
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Montessori with Multiples | A Conversation with Tabitha Jamieson
This week, I sit down with Tabitha Jamieson to talk through motherhood, Montessori with twins, and being a Montessori parent after the loss of a child. *This episode contains topics such as pregnancy loss, IVF, and miscarriage. Please listen with care.* Connect with Tabitha: Montessori with...
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Putting Lesson Planning Into Action
This week, Rachel talks through lesson planning and how to successfully keep records without pulling your hair out, create systems that work for you, and how to confidently plan and give lessons in your classroom. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out....
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Let's Get Practical: How to Teach Songs to Children
In this week's episode, Rachel breaks down the Montessori approach to teaching songs in the classroom. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at Sprout! Get 15% off your purchase at Mindful & Co Kids Check out...
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How to Effectively Communicate with School Administration with Jamie Rue
Why can it be so intimidating to talk to your school's administration? Jamie and I talk through strategies for teachers and administrators to streamline communication and get rid of toxicity. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get…
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Revisited: Cooking with Children
In this revisited episode, Jamie and Rachel talk all about cooking with children in the classroom and in the home. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at Sprout! Get 15% off your purchase at Mindful & Co…
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Ideas for the End of the Year | Classroom Edition
Let's face it; the last few months of school can be a complete drag. But, it doesn't have to be! Tune into this episode to discover lesson ideas and activities to make the last few months of school fun, engaging, and enjoyable. Listen to my episode on Cooking with Children for further…
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The Power of Dance through Life, Grief, and Transitions with Kei Ikeda
This week, Rachel talks with friend and Montessori colleague, Kei Ikeda all about the power of dance. Kei shares a vulnerable story of navigating the grief of the sudden passing of her partner and how dance helped her during this incredibly difficult time. Check out Montessori Dance!...
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What is Montessori Parenting?
This week, Rachel dives into the Montessori parenting approach. Have you heard about Montessori parenting but aren't quite sure what it is? Tune in to find out! The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at Sprout!...
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Learning with Nature: How Spring Can Reawaken Your Classroom
A new season can bring new growth, excitement, and curiosity. This week, Rachel talks about botany lessons, nature walks, and how to encourage children to learn from nature. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your…
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The Third Year of Primary with Austin Matte
Austin Matte, founder of The Connected Montessorian and Head of School at Upstone Montessori returns to talk through the importance of that third year of primary, where it all comes together. Check out The Connected Montessorian, a proud partner of All Things Montessori. Subscribe to the ATM...
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Revisited: Freedom & Responsibility
Let's revisit two of the most crucial components of the Montessori classroom, freedom and responsibility. In this episode Jamie and Rachel sit down and talk through these two elements, how they work in the elementary environment, and how vital they are to the elementary child's experience. Enjoy…
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Let's Avoid Teacher Burnout: How to Prioritize Self-Care and Wellness
This week is all about implementing self-care practices in and out of the classroom. Taking care of yourself, especially if you're in a career that involves working with children, is not only a good idea, it's necessary. Check out The Connected Montessorian, a proud partner of All Things...
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Navigating Social Justice as a Parent & Educator: A Conversation with Rachael Lucille
The incredible Rachael Lucille joins Rachel on the podcast today to talk all about social justice, navigating tough conversations through parenting, and how use books and literature as teaching tools. Rachael is a school program specialist and content creator for Little Justice Leaders. Check out...
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Montessori in the Home: Where to Start
Repeat after me: declutter, shift, order, beauty. This week's episode explores the idea of creating a Montessori environment in your home. Rachel breaks it down into simple terms and helps identify how to get started. Connect with ATM on Instagram! @allthingsmontessori Subscribe to the ATM…
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Montessori Music is for Everyone
That's right. Montessori music (and music in general) is accessible to everyone, regardless of your musical background! This week, Rachel breaks down the ins and outs of Montessori music, how to get started in your classroom, and how to embrace teaching music lessons instead of fearing it. The…
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Building Confidence with Jamie Rue
In this dynamic episode, Jamie and Rachel discuss the importance of cultivating confidence in the elementary classroom. They talk through their own relationship to confidence, how to create an environment of acceptance and support, and how vital confidence is to a child's development. The All...
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Observation and Why it Matters
Observation is a pillar of Montessori education. But, why is it so important? This episode goes into all the details of observation and why it is so helpful to teachers, caregivers, and parents. It can inform, confirm, and evoke a sense of wonder, which are all vital in our Montessori work. The…
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What is Montessori?
Have you heard the word Montessori and felt intrigued but also confused? You're not alone. In this episode, Rachel breaks down the fundamentals of Montessori and identifies key elements to look for if you're considering a Montessori program for your child. Connect with me on instagram...
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Talking Transitions, Summer, and Change with Jamie Rue
Jamie is back on All Things Montessori for this wonderful conversation! We talk about the responsibility the Montessori guide can feel in the classroom, how to survive summer with your children at home, and the changes we've both been through since starting All Things Montessori. The All Things...
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Montessori for Grown Ups with Jamie Watts
This week, Rachel sits down with author and Montessorian, Jamie Watts to discuss Montessori for Grown Ups, Jamie's newest book. Jamie is the Director at Little River Montessori and has a wealth of knowledge of Montessori due to their extensive experience and background. This conversation tackles...
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Toddlers, Motherhood, and Making Montessori Make Sense with Rachel Martin
This week, Rachel sits down with Rachel Martin from the Montessori Moms in the Wild podcast. They talk through raising children in the Montessori method, how to set up your home environment, and embracing the changes in the Montessori school world. Check out Montessori Moms in the Wild! The All...
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Navigating the Bridge Between Home and School with Caroline Moulsdale
Rachel sits down with ABC Crate CEO and Founder, Caroline Moulsdale for this week's episode. Caroline started ABC Crate to help families bridge the gap between home and school by providing Montessori educational kits to build a supportive home environment. Interested in ABC Crate? Check out ABC...
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All Things Parenting, Episode 5: Finding Power in Your Cycle with Lauren Barton
Today, I sit down with the incredible Lauren Barton to talk all about womanhood, motherhood, and our cycles. We touch on how to talk about periods with children, how we experience them ourselves, and how we can find power in knowing our own cycle. Interested in working with Lauren? Check out her...
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The Montessori Planes of Development
This week, we are going back to basics and breaking down the first and second plane of development. The first plane of development centers on 0-6 years of age. This child loves order, movement, and soaks everything up around her. The second plane of development is all about the 6-12 years old...
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All Things Parenting, Episode 4: Age Gaps Between Kids, Building Traditions, and Getting Outside with Leah O'Connell
On this fourth episode of All Things Parenting, my dear friend Leah returns to the podcast to talk about parenting. She has three beautiful children spanning the ages of 9, 4 and 16 months. We talk about the challenges and benefits of age gaps, finding the beauty in the simple things, and...
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All Things Parenting, Episode 3: Taking Lessons from Our Own Upbringing with Zander Merle-Smith
On this episode of All Things Parenting, Zander is back to share his observations about entering a new phase of fatherhood. We discuss the hardship of watching your child get hurt, how to regulate our own emotions, and the beauty of the process. We touch on discipline and how we want to approach…
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Montessori, Anxiety, and IVF - Rachel's Journey to Motherhood
This week I'm sharing my interview on the wonderful podcast, Know Ya Flow produced and hosted by my friend Lauren Barton. I'm sharing it here because I detail a very low point in my life that led me to therapy, working through failure, and embracing challenges that I was facing as a Montessori...
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Encouraging Curiosity about Social Justice with Shelby Kretz
Dr. Shelby Kretz is back on the podcast! Rachel and Shelby talk all about Little Justice Leader's new digital resource, how to have hard conversations with children, and how to move past shame and embrace curiosity when learning about social justice. Join the LJL Community!...
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All Things Parenting, Episode 2: Raising Babies at Home with Alex Parris
The second episode of the All Things Parenting series focuses on raising children from a stay at home mom perspective. One of my best friends, Alex joins me for this incredible conversation all about gentle parenting, raising two kids, veganism, and the love we both feel for parenthood. The All...
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Kei Ikeda Returns: Incorporating Dance into the Montessori Classroom
Kei joins Rachel to talk through Montessori Dance and how it can help educators introduce dance into their classrooms. They discuss how music is innate in humans, ideas of how to introduce dance to children, and the joy music and dance bring to the world. Danse Paix au Partage (International…
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All Things Parenting, Episode 1: Embracing Fatherhood with Zander Merle-Smith
The first episode of the All Things Parenting series focuses on fatherhood. My husband, Zander joins me for this episode and we discuss the first few months of parenting, grieving your former self, and his experience with Montessori. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out....
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Introducing All Things Parenting
All Things Parenting is a new offshoot of All Things Montessori. Becoming a parent has been the most incredible experience, and I wanted to sit down with experts, other parents, and my own husband to talk through parenting and doing it in a Montessori way. New episodes coming soon! The All Things...
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The Montessori Child with Simone Davies & Junnifa Uzodike
Join Rachel and Jamie as they sit down with the incredible authors behind to book, The Montessori Child. They discuss the four planes of development, the inspiration behind this book, and how parents can use this book as a guide to implement Montessori in the home. Get your copy of the Montessori...
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Capturing the Real Moments with Child & Family Photographer Leah O'Connell
This episode features the incredible Leah O'Connell, family and child photographer based in Charlottesville, VA. A best friend of mine and a innovative photographer, mother, and teacher we chat though capturing realness, doing Montessori in unique ways, and touch on parenting. Check out Firefly...
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Montessori & Infertility with Becky Myers-Pollock
Join Rachel as she sits down with primary guide and friend Becky Myers-Pollock as they talk through Becky's unique journey to pregnancy while being in the classroom. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of miscarriage, fertility treatments, and pregnancy loss. The All Things…
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Becoming a Montessori Parent
This week, Rachel sits down with a life update and talks through her journey to this incredible milestone. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at Sprout! Get 15% off your purchase at Mindful & Co Kids Check...
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The Importance of Mentorship with Rising Tide Montessori
This week, Rachel sits down with Jamie Rue and Meg Trezise of Rising Tide Montessori to talk about their new Mentorship Program, Montessori Mentor On Demand. Interested in Montessori Mentor On Demand? Learn more by clicking on the link below!...
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Montessori Homeschooling with Chelsea Roberts
Rachel sits down with Chelsea Roberts, who leads the development of the Homeschool program for Guidepost Montessori. Through this work she supports families around the world who want to bring Montessori's plan of education as an aid to life into their homes. We talk all about the details of...
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Upstone Montessori: Austin Matte Returns
This week, I invited Austin Matte back to the podcast to give an update on his new school Upstone Montessori. Austin is a primary guide and founder of The Connected Montessorian, an online forum and resource for primary guides around the world. He gives an update on Upstone Montessori, the ins…
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Living a Montessori Life
Join Rachel as she talks through how she is incorporating Montessori into her life while not being in the classroom. The All Things Montessori website is LIVE! Check it out. https://allthingsmontessoriconsulting.com/ Get 10% off your purchase at Sprout! Get 15% off your purchase at Mindful & Co...
About this show
Welcome to the All Things Montessori Podcast, a podcast devoted to discussing everything Montessori. From classroom management to self-care, Montessori at home to staying inspired in this work; we cover it all. Hosted by AMI Trainer and Consultant, Jamie Rue and Montessori Teacher and Administrator, Rachel Merle-Smith. Email us at: [email protected] Follow us at: @allthingsmontessori
Hosted by
Rachel Merle-Smith