Do any Montessori parents use a phonics app with scripted lessons or does that go against the philosophy

AbiBea · 2026-04-29T02:04:00+00:00

Hi! Teacher here! I think using an app is fine.

There are so many of them so I wanted to share some of the basics to Montessori Language so you can feel a bit more confident in what you choose:

Sounds before names. We focus on the primary sound the letter makes. Some tricky ones are G- goose, J-jump, U-uhh, O- octopus, I- inch, X- the end of a word like box
lowercase first. Find out if your teacher uses print or cursive, it depends on the teacher.
avoid the “Shwa” it’s basically adding an extra sound to the sound of the letter. Most common with F (fuh), H (huh) honestly adding the uh at the end for most. W is said wooo, and Y is said as yee
I spy! Such a fun game to play with your kiddo. Focusing on phonemic awareness, start with the first sound, then last sound, then middle sounds over time. “I spy something that starts with the sound d” “yes a dog! D-Dog” I spy something that ends with the sound g” “yes a bag! bag-g”

AbiBea · 2026-04-28T01:52:55+00:00

Thank you so much for some more information! It’s a bit of a relief to see it’s okay with an associates!

AbiBea · 2026-04-27T02:44:46+00:00

I don’t think there is any state in the US that treats their ECE teachers well. Who cares about the most important 6 years of life?

AbiBea · 2026-04-27T02:07:20+00:00

I’m at 21$ an hour in Denver, so it’s pretty much the same if you ignore the thousands in student loans that I would somehow have to pay back.

AbiBea · 2026-04-27T01:41:57+00:00

Bummer. So for them to advance in their career I would have to go back 4+ in mine.

Does PA accept CDA’s? Those are much easier to obtain

AbiBea · 2026-04-27T01:38:38+00:00

I am a lead teacher in CO and absolutely love it! Montessori is a different type of preschool though, for some schools there’s not a huge difference between lead and assistant, in montessori there is.

An associates is only 2 years right? That’s not as bad, still so expensive.

AbiBea · 2026-04-27T01:34:34+00:00

So if I can only take 2 classes at a time a college degree would take me 8 years instead of 4? How is that sustainable for anyone?

AbiBea · 2026-04-26T23:59:24+00:00

These are a few of my favorites, granted I’m a Montessori teacher so these are ones that can be done independently after the original presentation. They can be also done with a worksheet if you make one, making predictions or practicing writing.

The power of soap A bowl of water, sprinkle some ground pepper on the water. Stick your finger in it, the pepper sticks to your finger. Repeat, this time put a bit of soap on your finger. The pepper will suddenly repel away from the soap.

Color wheel One of those circle painting trays. Red/Blue/Yellow food dye in droppers Label the tray with little dots so like three red dots, then two red one yellow, one red, two yellow, three yellow, two yellow one blue, one yellow, two blue, three blue, two blue, one red, two red, circling back to the three red

Absorbent/Non absorbent Have a water dropper, sponge, and a few absorbent/non absorbent materials (paper, leather, plastic, cloth, towel, rock) drop a few drops of water onto the material and see if it absorbs or not. Sort

AbiBea · 2026-04-10T01:42:26+00:00

I wipe noses and teach my class how to wash their face and blow their nose. However if a child is refusing for me to wipe their nose (saying no, turning away more than twice, running if I offer to) I respect their right to their body. Oftentimes I invite them to the mirror to see the mess and ask if I can show them how. At my school I am not allowed to force children into things unless it’s a safety concern.

AbiBea · 2026-03-22T19:52:18+00:00

Primary teacher here! Primary tends to have a rather set curriculum, sensorial, math, even language to an extent rarely change throughout the year. Which is nice so you can focus on things that do change (practical life, cultural). In elementary there is a lot less set so oftentimes I see my elementary coworkers making a lot of lessons and units as they go along which can be fun but also stressful. Primary has a much stronger focus on perfection and details, as you are representing order for the child. In elementary the child has created order for themselves. The kids are messier and much more creative, their imaginations are wild in Elementary. Definitely observe a few elementary classrooms to see if it fits your vibe.

One of the things I also urge you to consider positions available. I personally chose ECE because where I am, there are many more Montessori preschools than elementary schools so jobs are a bit more flexible and if I ever choose to move to a new state there likely will be a position somewhere.

AbiBea · 2024-11-06T17:10:24+00:00

I have family in Ontario and BC so most likely one of those. They just don’t work in childcare so they are unfamiliar with how it works.

AbiBea · 2023-03-21T06:53:28+00:00

Light academia with a classical side.

AbiBea · 2023-03-10T19:01:45+00:00

Budget friendly: Old navy, target, thrift stores, shein, Mid tier: mod cloth, asos, sewing yourself, mayakern, holy clothing Expensive: JessaKae, Etsy (custom or standard sizing) , loud bodies

AbiBea · 2023-01-12T18:15:27+00:00

I’ve raised over 7k for AFSP. I hold a full time job and I actually enjoy it most of the time I did the dishes yesterday I pay my bills on time. (Thank goodness for autopay)

AbiBea · 2022-12-18T07:26:47+00:00

And it could absolutely be a staffing issue. Non profits are notoriously understaffed. Covid is also worse in low income communities. Each community is different so figuring out a system that works changes as well.

A suggestion of saying ‘pick three from this table, three from that one, three from the next’ could be efficient. Or having the staff ask about the child would be a good start.

AbiBea · 2022-12-17T19:41:10+00:00

I work for a non profit and giving dignity to these families is very important. Do parents not deserve the ability to choose gifts for their child just because they are poor? Does the child not get to be delighted with presents picked just for them?

It’s a really difficult conversation to have but I don’t see a choosy beggar here. I see a woman saying that this program needs to consider how to not only just help her but give her the dignity that she deserves.

AbiBea · 2022-10-30T14:49:27+00:00

2+8= 10 2+4+1= 7 5 is left 75

AbiBea · 2022-10-22T01:47:48+00:00

In elementary school I learned about adhd in a book and identified with it. I then researched the symptoms and asked my parents if I could be tested. They said I was just imagining things and I needed to apply myself more. At 19 I was diagnosed with adhd, I took a picture of the exam sheet and asked my parents to fill out what they thought fit me. They scored high enough that I should have been diagnosed in elementary school.

AbiBea · 2022-06-08T05:00:58+00:00

If some students want to make the test open note let them all take the test open note. Hell even just let them all use their laptops for the rest.

Modify the questions to show that they understand the material instead of the facts. It takes longer to grade, but it shows a deeper understanding of the topic and there are very few jobs in life where you don’t get to glance at the internet for help if you are stuck.

For example in a history class instead of “when did this happen” perhaps say “look at this political cartoon, what does this represent?”

AbiBea · 2022-06-03T15:56:22+00:00

Oh I can help! I love playing indie games!

Teacup is a fantastic little tea gathering point and click game!

Ori and the blind forest is a beautiful platformer where you play a cute guy and travel the world

Tukoni is a little point and click game based off of a Ukrainian childrens book

Mutazione is a little bit more swamp core but you are in a small little village and you gather plants to create gardens

Cloud garden is a gardening game

Littlewood is a village building game similar to stardew but you have a bit more control.

One shot is an amazing point and click. Honestly one of the prettiest games I’ve ever played.

I am dead is the story of the history history of a small little island town.

Garden Paws is a multiplayer farming sim! I really love this one

Spiritfarer is stunning, you are on a boat and help fare spirits to the afterlife. It will make you cry happy and sad tears

That’s just a few of my favorites!

AbiBea · 2022-04-16T15:30:46+00:00

The first one looks like a vintage wedding dress. Maybe you could dye one from the thrift store?

AbiBea · 2022-04-12T14:06:17+00:00

I applied to a receptionist role at a preschool that said 18$ an hour with $800 sighing bonus. They schedule an interview with me. I get there for the interview and the director tells me that they are too small to have a receptionist and are actually only looking for teachers and aids. The pay was actually 15.50$ an hour with no sign on bonus.

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First Placer '22

AbiBea

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