Resources to Use During COVID-19

With the spread of COVID-19 impacting our communities, CCMA is sharing resources to try and ensure that everyone is supported during this unique time.  We understand that the situation changes quickly with challenges and questions evolving rapidly.  We are grateful for the collaboration and sharing by schools, training centres, other organizations and individuals within our community.  We continue to be amazed by the resiliency and adaptability they have shown.

We will add items on an ongoing basis so please do check in.

School Re-opening Protocols

…. it is critical to balance the risk of direct infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the causative agent of COVID-19) in children with the harms of school closure on their physical and mental health. While school closures may have been reasonable as part of the early pandemic response, current evidence and experience support the concept that children can return to school in a manner that maximizes children’s health and minimizes risks from a Public Health perspective ….

https://www.sickkids.ca/PDFs/About-SickKids/81407-COVID19-Recommendations-for-School-Reopening-SickKids.pdf

How to do Montessori in the time of corona? Some Montessori schools in Norway are re-opening, and Montessori Norge, has published guidelines specific to Montessori schools which are grounded in Montessori pedagogy and human development and also include practical advice.

On June 10th, a panel discussion took place about Children and COVID-19 with three specialists at Sick Kids Hospital, which was coordinated by the Mabin School in Toronto. It was informative and calming.  Here are the notes that were created by a parent at Westside Montessori School.


Guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Education for Child Care Centres Re-Opening June 12, 2020 

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/child-care-re-opening-operational-guidance.pdf

Summer Camp Guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Health, dated June 1, 2020.
 

Please note that these policies are for the current Emergency Childcare Centres and may change when schools re-open.

From Toronto Region:

cleaning-sanitizing-disinfecting.docx

covid-parent-handbook.docx

DOC covid-health-screening-procedure.docx

DOC covid-toy-disinfection-procedures.docx

environmental-cleaning-disinfecting-converted.docx

exclusion-sick-children.docx

hand-hygiene.docx

covid-ecc-child-screening.pdf

covid-ecc-staff-screening _1_.pdf


The following resource is from the Ministry of Health (for Emergency Childcare Centres).

EmergencyChild_Care_GuidanceV2May82020.pdf


COVID-19 Toolkits from BC and Quebec: Examples for Re-opening

The Quebec COVID-19 Toolkit:

https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/salle-de-presse/covid-19-info-en/Pages/toolkit.aspx

Amongst the information on this site is a toolkit for the School Environment which can be found here:

https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/salle-de-presse/covid-19-info-en/Pages/toolkit-school-environment.aspx

The BC Ministry of Education Restart Plan:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/bulletin/20200508/covid-19-update—may-8.pdf

News and/or Legislation

From Globe and Mail:  As back-to-school anxiety mounts, Canadian parents turn to private pods – and critics warn of class divisions

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-as-back-to-school-anxiety-mounts-canadian-parents-turn-to-private/

“Montessori Stands Tall” Video

Princeton Montessori School in Princeton, NJ, has created a 2-minute video that is inspirational on showing how Montessori schools have adapted to be leaders in the ‘new’ style of learning.

Head of school, Michelle Morrison, explains, “We really wanted to get something out there that spoke to how prepared Montessori kids are for working at home, as they have been developing independence, self-reliance, love of learning, and adaptability every day as part of their Montessori education.”

Articles

From The Hamilton Spectator – Montessori Method A Good Alternative In Pandemic Times

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2021/02/24/montessori-method-a-good-alternative-in-pandemic-times.html

From Globe and Mail – Vast majority of schools with COVID-19 have only one or two cases

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-vast-majority-of-schools-with-covid-19-have-only-one-or-two-cases/


COVID-19 Study from Australia – Children may not be super-spreaders of virus

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/children-may-not-be-super-spreaders-afterall-new-research-suggests-1.5552099


Wonder and the Child by Catherine McTamaney (Montessori Daoshi Blog)

https://www.montessoridaoshi.com/single-post/2019/11/13/Wonder-and-the-Child

Often a child’s sense of wonder is a mysterious and unpredictable phenomenon. We know it’s present for the child, and we know we want to honor it without our own adult agendas…how do we create spaces to facilitate the spiritual state of wonder?


Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Anxiety

https://www.whitepaperpress.us/helping-children-adolescents-cope-with-anxiety/

This Blog Post by Dr. Laura Flores Shaw – writer, speaker, researcher, consultant stimulates our thinking about how we can help our children self-reflect and provide them with tools and experiences that allow them to practice how to effectively manage the uncertainty that we are facing today.


Article on Preschool Teachers – Are our preschool teachers worth more now than they were two months ago.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2020/04/13/are-our-preschool-teachers-worth-more-than-they-were-two-months-ago

Legislation

Private / Independent Schools to be Eligible for Wage Subsidy

The government will allow private colleges and private / independent schools to be eligible entities for purposes of the CEWS. This will allow non-public educational and training institutions to qualify for the wage subsidy. This would include for-profit and not-for-profit institutions such as arts schools, language schools, driving schools, flight schools and culinary schools.


Wage Subsidy Extension to August 29, 2020

This change is retroactive to April 11, 2020, which means that it applies to the first qualifying period starting March 15, 2020.

And the CEWS will now run for a total of SIX 4-week periods from March 15 to August 29, 2020.

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/05/extending-eligibility-for-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy.html


Early Year and Child Care Sector Financial Support During Emergency Closure
Period

Learn about the plan to support the early years and child care sector during the COVID-19 closure period from the Ontario Ministry of Education.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/childCareSupport.html#section-1

A Response to COVID-19:   CCMA is a professional association, not a regulatory body and cannot respond with one statement or policy for all school members. CCMA is staying in touch with member schools during these times. Each CCMA Montessori school is independent and has a different license from the appropriate provincial or territorial licensing authority. Some schools are privately owned and some are not for profits. During the time when the physical locations are closed, each individual school is independently making decisions about programs they are able to implement, their staff, their fees and their tuition.

Creating Montessori at Home

“Montessori Stands Tall” Video

Princeton Montessori School in Princeton, NJ, has created a 2-minute video that is inspirational on showing how Montessori schools have adapted to be leaders in the ‘new’ style of learning.

Head of school, Michelle Morrison, explains, “We really wanted to get something out there that spoke to how prepared Montessori kids are for working at home, as they have been developing independence, self-reliance, love of learning, and adaptability every day as part of their Montessori education.”

 

Ten things you can do to Help your Child Become a Better Reader

Your role as a parent is a pivotal one in helping your child achieve success in reading, spelling, and writing at school.

 

Montessori-inspired ideas to keep children entertained while inside.

Here is a list of 49 Montessori-inspired indoor activities to keep your little ones engaged and learning when they cannot go outdoors

https://www.mother.ly/child/montessori-inspired-indoor-activities?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

 

13 Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy at Home

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/how-to-keep-kids-busy.html?fbclid=IwAR1ddg93IFAiDZcORj1wWn7wvxWZc8NE1rT_WZ8nxe6V7YZhgJhfZdF-Ddo

Adding a bit of structure to your days, while important, doesn’t mean you have to transform your home into a classroom. Many simple and fun activities can help kids practice academic skills, but in a more creative and free-flowing way.

 

Art

http://www.touchingtheart.com/videos.html

Each video presents an artwork and guides you through the process of “reading” it. You will meet interesting characters, figure out what’s happening to them, and personally connect with the dramatic moments they are experiencing.

 

Cooking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86o4gUPqVKU&app=desktop

Easy and delicious chocolate cake (apparently baking bread is all the rage – why not chocolate cake!)

 

Facebook Live Cooking Classes for Kids

https://www.kids-table.com/virtual-classes

Spend some quality family time together leveling up your chef skills by joining a virtual cooking class or watching the recording.

 

Common Sense Media Resources

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

 

The Best Documentaries for Children

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-documentaries

Few stories are as affecting and inspirational as the true ones that take place in the world every day. The documentaries on this list are organized by age and theme.

Parent Need to Know Section is Organized By Age and by Topic.

It includes A Parents’ Ultimate GUIDE to Google Classroom

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-google-classroom

 

Montessori at Home

Magic Homeschooling Adventure – This content will be delivered by email, and you will also receive parenting tips, personal letters, and updates from Montessori Guide and homeschool Mom: Aubrey Hargis

https://childoftheredwoods.lpages.co/hsr-freebie-magical-homeschooling-adventure/

Parenting isn’t for the faint of heart. Most of us have a hard-enough time taking care of ourselves. Add raising little ones into the mix and… well… we’re talking awe-inspiring levels of energy, patience, and confidence.

Montessori at Home

 

Chores

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/chores/the-reason-children-should-do-chores-is-because-it-is-good-for-them/#gs.ho2btv

Completing chores promotes the development of many basic skills necessary for success in life. For younger children completing simple chores such as folding clothes or help with making their bed can improve coordination and motor skills. Doing chores enhances a child’s ability to follow directions and helps develop planning and organization skills. Children also develop time management skills. Researchers in the groundbreaking, Learning Habits Study found that children who did household chores also scored high on measures of academic success.

 

Greene Towne Montessori School, in Philadelphia

Launched a parent education series, In these sessions, child psychologist Lisa Dissinger and Greene Towne teachers discuss topics such as “The Power of Positive Parenting.” There are also short videos that explain Montessori concepts and terms: “The Montessori Minute.”

You can find the recordings online.

 

For parents, guidelines – MINT – Montessori Institute of North Texas

They also have taped webinar called Montessori Mondays

https://montessori-mint.org/montessori-mondays

ARTICLES

From Globe and Mail – Vast majority of schools with COVID-19 have only one or two cases

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-vast-majority-of-schools-with-covid-19-have-only-one-or-two-cases/

TDSB Considers Triple-Grade Classrooms in Low Attendance Areas

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tdsb-considers-triple-grade-classrooms-in-low-attendance-areas/

How can we make the separation between kids and their grandparents easier

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/article-parenting-sos-with-school-back-how-we-can-make-the-separation/

How race, income and opportunity hoarding will shape Canada’s back-to-school season

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-how-race-income-and-opportunity-hoarding-will-shape-canadas-back/

We need to work together to get kids back in school for their sake

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-we-need-to-work-together-to-get-kids-back-in-school-for-their-sake/

Thousands of Canadian students return to class as new Covid-19 cases emerge

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-thousands-of-canadian-students-return-to-class-as-new-covid-19-cases/

Parents Weighing School Options Could be Locked into those Choices for Months

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-parents-weighing-school-options-could-be-locked-into-those-choices-for/

 

Remote Learning for Primary Level Students Poses Unique Challenges

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-remote-learning-for-primary-level-students-poses-unique-challenges/

 

COVID-19 Study from Australia – Children may not be super-spreaders of virus

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/children-may-not-be-super-spreaders-afterall-new-research-suggests-1.5552099

 

Don’t Fall for the Moral Panic Over Children’s Screen Time

Especially right now – we are all glued to our screens, and that is ok.

When we settle into new routines, we will manage them better. The important thing right now is to make sure you and the children in your lives are engaging in activities that are good and nourishing for you – personally – or as a family – whatever that looks like. Books liberated me from a narrow world when I was young. Phones and laptops do the same job today

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/07/moral-panic-children-screen-time-phone-laptop?fbclid=IwAR0IJ4xtt4BswMvBQft_8qttIemqIhcAjvNmhLMp_0qpTA4H2t0SWaJzlrI

 

Let Children Be Bored Again

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/02/opinion/sunday/children-bored.html?fbclid=IwAR1yzTx5Kzm6bAvIJ1ZuqhGfhbAfTMkaSG8OUU3-iY_6xH3rVaS_cJl8_n0

Boredom teaches us that life isn’t a parade of amusements. More important, it spawns creativity and self-sufficiency.

 

Wonder and the Child by Catherine McTamaney (Montessori Daoshi Blog)

https://www.montessoridaoshi.com/single-post/2019/11/13/Wonder-and-the-Child

Often a child’s sense of wonder is a mysterious and unpredictable phenomenon. We know it’s present for the child, and we know we want to honor it without our own adult agendas…how do we create spaces to facilitate the spiritual state of wonder?

 

Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Anxiety

https://www.whitepaperpress.us/helping-children-adolescents-cope-with-anxiety/

This Blog Post by Dr. Laura Flores Shaw – writer, speaker, researcher, consultant stimulates our thinking about how we can help our children self-reflect and provide them with tools and experiences that allow them to practice how to effectively manage the uncertainty that we are facing today.

 

Article on Preschool Teachers – Are our preschool teachers worth more now than they were two months ago.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2020/04/13/are-our-preschool-teachers-worth-more-than-they-were-two-months-ago

Guiding Home Learning

“Montessori Stands Tall” Video

Princeton Montessori School in Princeton, NJ, has created a 2-minute video that is inspirational on showing how Montessori schools have adapted to be leaders in the ‘new’ style of learning.

Head of school, Michelle Morrison, explains, “We really wanted to get something out there that spoke to how prepared Montessori kids are for working at home, as they have been developing independence, self-reliance, love of learning, and adaptability every day as part of their Montessori education.”

This time will pass and children will return to their classrooms. As a community we fear what they may have lost academically, emotionally and spiritually. But when we open our ears and hearts to the creativity, ingenuity, dedication and love this community is showing up with every day, we are also buoyed by the hope in newfound ways of connecting, learning, and adapting.

Human teachers can only help the great work that is being done.…They will be witnesses to the unfolding of the human soul and to the rising of a New Man who will not be the victim of events, but will have the clarity of vision to direct and shape the future of human society. (Montessori, Education for a New World, 1963, p. 3)

Why we are staying at home, written and illustrated by a Montessori Guide

https://www.maitrilearning.com/blogs/montessori-pedagogy/why-are-we-staying-home-a-free-e-book-for-children?fbclid=IwAR0U4kD-o3-gJwKF5QAFgRFaJYXRKKbZADGaQqVhKyBA6nF-R0I0aRXfuSc

Kami App for Remote Learning

https://www.kamiapp.com/

A Montessori blog and online store with a good and growing collection of resources Arbor Montessori School, an independent school in Georgia.

How We Montessori : Ask A Montessori Teacher – Tips for School at Home

https://www.howwemontessori.com/how-we-montessori/2020/04/ask-a-montessori-teacher-tips-to-survive-school-at-home.html

For Curriculum, weekly plans, activities etc. – Aidan Montessori School

https://www.aidanschool.org/learning/distance-learning-at-aidan

The landform cards and other activities Toddler to Adolescent – The Montessori Agency

https://resources.montessori.agency/

From AMI

https://montessoridigital.org/ami-digital-free-educational-resources

 

ELEMENTARY – FROM WIDE OPEN SCHOOLS

Science Activities

https://wideopenschool.org/programs/family/6-12/science/

Arts and Music

https://wideopenschool.org/programs/family/6-12/arts-music-diy/

Get Moving

https://wideopenschool.org/programs/family/6-12/get-moving/

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/seven-ways-parents-and-educators-can-improve-kids-middle-school-experience/2019/09/02/ad8eb938-bed2-11e9-a5c6-1e74f7ec4a93_story.html?fbclid=IwAR2D92C0YGehGQGF6ZTvNKdgkqvyCSv4djWf6USMu77XKz8nT0tRxC54jCE

 

ARTICLES

From Globe and Mail – Vast majority of schools with COVID-19 have only one or two cases

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-vast-majority-of-schools-with-covid-19-have-only-one-or-two-cases/

COVID-19 Study from Australia – Children may not be super-spreaders of virus

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/children-may-not-be-super-spreaders-afterall-new-research-suggests-1.5552099

Wonder and the Child by Catherine McTamaney (Montessori Daoshi Blog)

https://www.montessoridaoshi.com/single-post/2019/11/13/Wonder-and-the-Child

Often a child’s sense of wonder is a mysterious and unpredictable phenomenon. We know it’s present for the child, and we know we want to honor it without our own adult agendas…how do we create spaces to facilitate the spiritual state of wonder?

Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Anxiety

https://www.whitepaperpress.us/helping-children-adolescents-cope-with-anxiety/

This Blog Post by Dr. Laura Flores Shaw – writer, speaker, researcher, consultant stimulates our thinking about how we can help our children self-reflect and provide them with tools and experiences that allow them to practice how to effectively manage the uncertainty that we are facing today.

Article on Preschool Teachers – Are our preschool teachers worth more now than they were two months ago.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2020/04/13/are-our-preschool-teachers-worth-more-than-they-were-two-months-ago

Wintergreen / Mindset Learning Materials

Mindset/Wintergreen is pleased to offer all CCMA schools a 10% discount. From soccer balls to sensorial and PPE items as well, the 10% discount would apply equally to every item we sell, including Montessori materials, with the exception of already reduced or clearance items.
https://www.wintergreen.ca/sanitizing-safety-solutions

Contact: Peter Flynn [email protected]
P: 416-631-8310    TF: 877-631-8310
W: www.wintergreen.ca (www.mindsetlearningtools.com)

Carr McLean Limited

From Acrylic Sneeze Guards to Hand Sanitizer Stations Carr McLean is now offering many items that can help you re-open your School safely.
Call : 1-800-268 2123

https://www.carrmclean.ca/covid-19.html.