Upcoming Montessori Parent Events

Montessori from the Start Programs

We invite you to participate in Forest Bluff School's Montessori From the Start parent education programs, which include lectures and book discussions throughout the academic year. These programs serve as a solid foundation for your child's earliest years and provide an excellent introduction to Montessori education and the goals of Forest Bluff School. You will gain a deeper understanding of your child's self-formation and have an opportunity to meet other parents with children of similar ages. Audio recordings of past lectures are available at https://soundcloud.com/paulapreschlack

*Please note: Guests are welcome to attend Montessori Parent Events at Forest Bluff School. Due to Covid, space is limited. Please RSVP to Lynn Lillard Jessen at 847.295.8338.

2021-2022 Book Discussion Series

Montessori From the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three
by Forest Bluff School co-founders Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen
*For parents with children through age 3

Book discussions will begin with a brief summary of selected chapters, followed by a discussion of the content. Parents are welcome to attend even if they haven't yet read the chapters. All discussions will take place at Forest Bluff School on Thursdays from 8:45-9:45 a.m.

September 16: Chapters 1-3 Who Is This Child?

October 21: Chapters 4-5 Developing Coordinated Movement

November 18: Chapter 6 The Role of "Practical Life" in Your Home

January 13: Chapter 7 Personal Care: Developing Independence and Confidence

February 24: Chapter 8 Language and Intelligence

April 7: Chapter 9 Your Child's Developing Will

Montessori: A Modern Approach
by Paula Polk Lillard
*For parents with children ages 3-6

Book discussions will begin with a brief summary of selected chapters, followed by a discussion of the content. Parents are welcome to attend even if they haven't yet read the chapters. All discussions will take place at Forest Bluff School on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

September 29: Chapter 1 The History of Maria Montessori & Montessori Schools

November 3: Chapter 2 Observational Foundations of Montessori Philosophy

December 8: Chapter 3 The Montessori Method

February 2: Chapter 4 Montessori and Parents

March 9 Chapter 5 The Development of Language in Montessori Classrooms

April 20: Chapter 6 The Vital Importance of Montessori Today

Montessori Today
by Paula Polk Lillard
*For parents with children ages 6-12

Book discussions will begin with a brief summary of selected chapters, followed by a discussion of the content. Parents are welcome to attend even if they haven't yet read the chapters. All discussions will take place at Forest Bluff School on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

September 21: Chapters 1-2 Origins of Montessori & the Primary Years (Ages 0-6)

October 26: Chapters 3-4 The Elementary Child & Cosmic Education (Ages 6-12)

November 30: Chapter 5-6 The Elementary Classroom & Preparation of the Adult

January 25: Chapter 7 Freedom and Responsibility: Achieving Independence

March 1: Chapter 8 Scenes from an Elementary Classroom

April 12: Chapter 9-10 A Look Ahead: Adolescence & the Future of Montessori

The Montessori Approach at Home

*Intended for parents with children of all ages (YCC-Secondary)

To listen to previously recorded lectures visit: https://soundcloud.com/paulapreschlack

Parent & Baby Series

*Due to COVID19, the Parent & Baby practicals have been canceled for the 2021-2022 school year. We encourage parents of young children to attend our lectures and discussions (see above). Our blog is also a wonderful resource with suggestions for supporting the development of young children in the home.

Forest Bluff School Calendars

2021-2022 Forest Bluff School calendar

(Please note: Most of our Montessori Parent Events are not included in these PDFs. Please periodically check this page for upcoming Parent and Baby classes, Montessori From the Start lectures, Continuing Education Presentations, Book Discussions and more.)