Week 4, Term 2 2026
“Children are so responsive that if you treat your child with kindness and consideration they too will be kind. If you let them pursue their own little affairs and interests undisturbed, you will find that they will be less inclined to disturb yours. Try to interfere with them as little as possible,there is no need to worry about them growing up ignorant or ill-mannered. Instead he will be observant and intelligent, independent and persevering , and these qualities lie at the root of personality”.
Montessori Talks to Parents
Maria Montessori
THIS WEEK’S TOPIC
Being Kind, Clear and Predictable
Everyone wants those around them to be kind, clear, and predictable. These qualities create a feeling of safety and understanding, which is essential for the developing brain of a child under three who lacks conscious thought.
A child’s brain is rapidly developing, reaching 80% of its growth by age three and 90% by age five. They are forming a massive one million new neural connections per second.
“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to six”
Dr Maria Montessori
Montessori refers to the developing brain of a child under six as the Absorbent Mind. During this crucial period of brain growth, children take in and integrate all sensory information they encounter. To effectively manage this constant flow of input and build their brain, they require proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and supportive guidance from caring adults. What then as parents can we do to support this?
Respond with kindness and understanding when the child is overwhelmed; “they are not giving you a hard time they are having a hard time”
Consistent, predictable behaviour builds trust and safety for the child.
Clear concise language helps build on understanding
Body language that is calm and unobtrusive rather than hovering allows the child to gain experiences freely
Avoiding toxic stress
Practise observation and curiosity
Be kind to yourself, it is good for you and is valuable role modeling for your child
Recipe of the week: Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Pinwheel Puffs
https://diethood.com/cranberry-brie-puff-pastry-pinwheels/#wprm-recipe-container-94315
Ingredients
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
3 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
100g Brie cheese, rind mostly removed and cheese dice
¾ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
½ cup finely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons honey
Method
Preheat the oven to 180c. Line a baking sheet with greaseproof
Unroll a sheet of puff pastry on a work surface and brush with a small amount of melted butter.
Scatter over the nuts, brie and cranberries then drizzle with honey.
Roll it up tightly from the long side and place in the freezer for 15 mins.
Remove from the freezer and brush with egg yolk before cutting into 12 pieces.
Place on the baking sheet and put in the preheated oven for 18-20 mins or until the cheese melts.
Leave them on the baking sheet to cool.
Alternative:
Replace the contents with 120g frozen spinach, 200g crumbled feta cheese, 1 egg white, S&P.
Before putting in the oven, brush with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Let your imagination go to town with fillings making easy, tasty snacks.
