Dear MSSA Families,
It was great to see so many new and familiar faces at MyMSSA Day yesterday. The smiles, handshakes, warm hugs, and the excitement and joy of coming to school were the perfect way to kick off the 2025-2026 school year!
The start of school can generate feelings of excitement and also fear or anxiety of the unknown, especially for those children who are new to our community or moving up to a new classroom. Here are some back-to-school tips for you and your Montessori child, some of which were shared by Dr. Siggie, a child development specialist.
1. Set a consistent bedtime routine.
Following a routine at bedtime provides an opportunity for you to nurture and bond with your child. This structure and repetition make children feel safe, which will help them fall asleep faster, help them stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling rested. A well-rested child leads to better behavior during the day and can also have a positive impact on your child’s overall development, including language development, cognitive flexibility, and executive function.
2. Allow time for children to be independent.
This requires patience on your part, but giving children the time and teaching them how to accomplish a task, rather than just hurrying through it or doing it yourself, will pay off in the future. Even more importantly, children gain a sense of empowerment knowing what they can do on their own. This newfound self-confidence leads to a happier, more independent child who will begin to ask more often, “Can I try that by myself?” Take advantage of those opportunities!
3. Give children the freedom to make mistakes.
Uninterrupted time to experiment, repeat tasks, and make mistakes gives children the opportunity to learn on their own. Observe this process from a distance. Give them the chance to grow out from under your shadow and watch them blossom.
4. Build confidence by helping children help themselves.
Allowing children to do for themselves encourages independence. Every day tasks provide many opportunities for independence. Carrying their dishes to the sink, packing their own lunch, pouring their own water, making their own snacks, picking out their own clothes to wear, and dressing themselves are just a few examples to get you started.
5. Limit distractions and provide activities that allow for long periods of concentration.
Turning off distractions allows children the time to absorb and process information. Limiting the number of times that an adult interrupts the child helps them develop a longer attention span and also models courtesy and respect. If you must interrupt a child, leave the activity untouched and allow them to return to it.
6. Provide a sense of order.
Children thrive in an orderly environment. Show your child that things have a place and have them return items to that place before moving on to a new activity. Schedules also provide order and help children feel more comfortable because they know what to expect. Establish and consistently follow routines at home for getting ready for the day, mealtimes, and bedtime.
7. Be positive about school. Focus on security before focusing on fun.
Model a positive attitude and excitement when you talk about school. Talk to your child about what to expect. Your child will feed off your energy. If you are anxious about school, it’s likely your child will be as well.
Of course, you want your child to have fun at school! To make plenty of new friends, enjoy their teacher, and feel happy and engaged. But here’s the thing: your child can’t have fun until they feel safe and secure (That’s true for all of us). Instead of working hard to “sell” them on all the fun they’re going to have: “You’ll love it! You’ll make so many new friends… Don’t worry, don’t be nervous! You’ll have so much fun!” Focus first on building a sense of security. That can sound like: ‘
- I know this is new and you might feel a little nervous. Often, when we try something new, we feel both nervous and excited. I know you will be ok, even if it’s a bit hard at first. It might take some time to get used to, and that’s totally ok.
- You know how I take care of you at home? At school, your teacher will take care of you. And you will also take care of yourself.
- If you’re thirsty, they will give you water; if you’re a little sad, they will hold your hand. You are safe there, and your teacher will watch over you until I pick you up.
- Your teacher’s name is… When you need to ask her anything, what do you do? Yes, you can ask for what you need.
- Here’s your backpack and your lunchbox; let’s practice opening and closing them.
- If you want to play with someone, what can you say? Yes, you can ask, ‘Can I play with you?’ (https://drsiggie.com/free-resources/)
8. Don’t be surprised if there is a meltdown after school.
You pick up your child and you’re excited to hear about their day: Did they make a new friend? Eat their lunch? Like their teacher? You’re ready for smiles… and instead, you get whining. Complaining. Tears. Silence. Maybe even a full-blown meltdown. It’s important to keep in mind that your child just finished a long, physically and emotionally demanding day.
They’ve been trying hard to keep it together—to listen, follow instructions, manage social interactions, and hold in their feelings. And when they see you, their safe person? It all comes pouring out. (Think of how you feel after a long day of work. You may not want to talk right away. You often just want to decompress.)
So instead of jumping into questions, follow their lead. If they’re ready to talk, great! If not, offer a soft landing: a snack, a walk, or a quiet activity. Then, once they’ve settled, you can ask about their day. (https://drsiggie.com/free-resources/)
My hope is that you come to know and love MSSA and Montessori education as I do. I’m excited to be on this Montessori journey with you and your family. It’s a privilege to partner with you and to watch these children grow into passionate learners, independent thinkers, and engaged citizens.
Warm regards,
Emily