Emma Rosenthal

A toddler stirring an empty bowl at a play kitchen may appear to be pretending. In reality, the child is remembering, imitating, sequencing, experimenting with language, and rehearsing a meaningful role in family life. When that same child washes a strawberry, spreads cream cheese on a cracker, or wipes a spill, the learning becomes even more concrete. At Evviva Montessori, cooking and cleaning are not treated as activities that happen around children. They are opportunities for children to...

There is a particular kind of mystery familiar to almost every parent of a young child: the food that was beloved yesterday can become completely unacceptable today. For weeks, blueberries disappear by the handful, until one morning they are regarded with suspicion. The banana must suddenly be cut a certain way. Pasta that was happily eaten with sauce is now acceptable only when plain. A strawberry may be picked up, examined, smelled, squeezed, perhaps touched briefly to the tongue, and then...

One of the most common concerns we hear from families at Evviva Montessori is, “What happens if a child hits or kicks?” Our response begins with two priorities: safety and teaching. Hitting, kicking, biting, and pushing are stopped immediately, but we do not treat these behaviors as evidence that a child is “bad.” Toddlers are still developing the language, impulse control, emotional regulation, and social understanding they need to navigate frustration successfully. Why Toddlers Hit Physical...