🧭 Creativity Compass Award: Heart Pump STEAM Activity at Mariner Montessori at the Heights

February’s Creativity Compass Award highlights a meaningful hands-on learning experience from our Toddler 2 classroom at Mariner Montessori at the Heights, where our youngest learners explored the wonders of the human body — specifically, how the heart pumps blood.

Through a simple but engaging STEAM activity, children created their very own “heart pump” using a jar, straw, and red-colored water. This hands-on model allowed toddlers to observe how the “blood” moved up and down as they squeezed and released the jar — just like a real heart pumping throughout the body.

This meaningful experience turned a complex concept into something children could see, touch, and understand.

Exploring How the Heart Works

As the children experimented with their heart pumps, they watched closely as the red water moved through the straw. With curiosity and excitement, they discovered how squeezing created movement and how releasing changed the flow.

This hands-on exploration helped students connect their learning to real-life body functions.

🫀 “The heart pumps blood in and out!” – Toddler 2

Hands-On STEAM Learning for Toddlers

This activity introduced STEAM concepts in a developmentally appropriate way:

• Science – learning how the heart pumps blood
• Technology – using simple tools and materials
• Engineering – building a working heart model
• Art – assembling and creating their project
• Math – observing cause and effect and repetition

Even at the toddler level, students practiced observation, prediction, and problem-solving through play.

Learning the Mariner Way

At Mariner Montessori, we believe learning comes alive when children actively explore and discover. This heart pump activity allowed toddlers to:

• Explore how the heart pumps blood

• Engage in hands-on scientific discovery

• Build early problem-solving and observation skills

• Connect real-life body functions to their learning

This project beautifully reflects our Mariner DNA — creativity, innovation, and learning through experience.

We are so proud of our young learners for their curiosity, focus, and enthusiasm. When children can see, touch, and experience concepts in action, learning becomes meaningful and memorable.

🧭 Creativity Compass in action — guiding curiosity, discovery, and joyful learning at Mariner Montessori.

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🚤 Gingerbread Man’s Paddle Boat: A STEAM Adventure at Mariner Montessori

As we wrapped up the year and welcomed the new one, our Explorer 3 students at Mariner Montessori Galleria brought a beloved story to life through creativity, engineering, and hands-on discovery.

After reading the classic tale The Gingerbread Man, students explored important themes such as cause and effect, stranger safety, and listening skills through the story’s repetitive language and engaging narrative. But the learning didn’t stop with the book.

Inspired by the Gingerbread Man’s famous river escape, the students asked a big question:

“How can we help the Gingerbread Man cross the river safely?”

That question sparked a creative STEAM challenge — designing and building a paddle boat.

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⚙️ Engineering a Paddle Boat

Using simple everyday materials — a water bottle, sticks, plastic spoons, rubber bands, and duct tape — students worked together to engineer a functioning paddle boat.

The boat was powered by a rubber band motor, which introduced students to an exciting scientific concept. By twisting the propeller, the children stored potential energy, and when released in water, that energy transformed into kinetic energy, causing the boat to move forward.

Along the way, students also explored the concept of buoyancy, discovering why some objects float while others sink.

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🌟 A Full STEM Learning Experience

This project naturally integrated multiple areas of learning:

• Science – understanding energy and buoyancy
• Technology – exploring how a rubber band motor works
• Engineering – designing and building the paddle boat
• Math – measuring materials, counting twists, and observing travel distance

By combining literacy, science, and creativity, students experienced how different subjects connect in the real world.

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💡 Learning the Mariner Way

This activity perfectly reflects what we call the Mariner DNA — creativity, innovation, and learning through experience.

Through this engaging project, students didn’t just hear a story — they became part of it. They practiced teamwork, problem-solving, and curiosity while transforming a simple classroom moment into a meaningful engineering challenge.

At Mariner Montessori, these kinds of experiences help children develop confidence, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning.

✨ From storybook inspiration to real-world engineering — this is the Mariner way.

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Mariner Montessori – Heights Earns Texas Rising Star 4-Star Certification

We are proud to share an exciting milestone for our school community. Last week, Mariner Montessori at the Heights officially earned Texas Rising Star (TRS) 4-Star certification — the highest quality rating awarded to early childhood education programs in Texas.

This achievement reflects the dedication, consistency, and heart our team brings to the classroom every single day, and it reinforces our commitment to providing an exceptional Montessori experience for the children and families we serve.

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What TRS 4-Star Means for Families

Texas Rising Star is the state’s quality rating and improvement system for early childhood education programs. Earning a 4-Star rating means a school meets the most rigorous standards in areas such as:

• Teacher-child interactions

• Classroom environment and learning structure

• Staff training and professional development

• Family engagement

• Health and safety practices

For families searching for a preschool in the Heights area, this designation provides confidence and peace of mind. It confirms that the program has been evaluated against high, research-based standards and is recognized for delivering consistent, high-quality early childhood education.

For us, it represents something even more meaningful — a standard we choose to uphold.

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A Commitment We Set in Motion Years Ago

Our first campus, Mariner Montessori at the Galleria, earned TRS 4-Star status in 2022. Since then, we made a clear decision as an organization: this would become the quality benchmark for Mariner Montessori.

The Heights campus achieving 4-Star certification continues that commitment. We believe every Mariner location should reflect the same level of excellence, consistency, and care. Families should feel confident knowing that no matter which campus they choose, the standards remain the same.

This is not a one-time goal. It is a long-term promise we made to ourselves, our staff, and our families — to continuously hold our schools to the highest level of quality possible.

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Positioned for Future School Choice Opportunities

As early education continues to evolve in Texas, more programs are being developed to help families access high-quality schools, including emerging school voucher and scholarship initiatives.

One important requirement that consistently appears in these programs is a strong emphasis on quality standards. Schools that participate in recognized systems like Texas Rising Star — especially those with 3- or 4-Star ratings — are often better positioned to participate when new opportunities become available.

By maintaining TRS 4-Star status, Mariner Montessori ensures that we remain aligned with the highest expectations set by the state. This allows our campuses to stay prepared for future school choice programs that may support families seeking high-quality early childhood education.

Our focus remains simple: build a strong, high-quality foundation first so that when new opportunities arise, our families and our school are ready.

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A Team Effort Worth Celebrating

This accomplishment belongs to our entire Heights team. From leadership to classroom teachers, every person played a role in creating an environment that meets and exceeds the highest standards.

Earning TRS 4-Star status requires preparation, consistency, and a genuine commitment to doing what is best for children. It reflects the daily work happening in every classroom — the thoughtful lessons, the nurturing interactions, and the care given to each child’s development.

We are incredibly grateful to our team for their dedication and to our families for their continued trust and support.

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Looking Ahead

With the Heights campus now joining Galleria as a TRS 4-Star school, we continue to build a strong foundation for the future of Mariner Montessori.

Our goal remains steady:
To provide a high-quality, consistent, and nurturing learning environment across every campus we serve.

This recognition is an important milestone, and we are proud of what it represents. More importantly, it motivates us to keep improving, growing, and staying true to the standards that define who we are.

Thank you for being part of the Mariner Montessori community.

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🧠 Creativity Compass Award – November Winner!

🌾 From Kernels to Creativity: Exploring the Harvest Season at Mariner Montessori

November at Mariner Montessori Galleria was filled with curiosity, collaboration, and hands-on discovery as our students explored the harvest season and the story of the First Thanksgiving. Through thoughtfully designed activities, children connected history, culture, science, and creativity in ways that were meaningful, joyful, and developmentally rich.

This month’s work is a beautiful example of what we call our Mariner DNA — learning through experience, creativity, and innovative thinking.

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🎨 Harvest Corn Mosaic: Art with Purpose

Our Primary students began their harvest exploration with a corn mosaic art project, using small pieces of colored paper to create textured, vibrant corn designs. This activity strengthened fine motor skills, encouraged focus and patience, and allowed children to express creativity through color and design.

As they worked, students explored themes of harvest, food origins, and seasonal change — transforming art time into a multi-sensory learning experience.

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🌽 Beaded Corn: Fine Motor Skills in Action

The learning continued with a beaded corn activity, where children threaded beads onto pipe cleaners to form colorful ears of corn. This hands-on work supported hand-eye coordination, concentration, and sequencing, while also giving students the freedom to create patterns and make individual design choices.

Simple materials became powerful learning tools — building confidence, independence, and joy in the process.

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🍬 Candy Corn Stacking Challenge: Learning Through Play

To add a playful twist, students participated in a Candy Corn Stacking Challenge, turning a seasonal favorite into a problem-solving activity. As children stacked, balanced, and experimented, they practiced focus, spatial awareness, and persistence — all while having fun.

This activity showed that learning doesn’t have to be rigid to be meaningful. When children are engaged and curious, learning happens naturally.

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🌾 Life-Size Scarecrow: Teamwork Comes to Life

One of the highlights of the month was our life-size scarecrow team-building activity. Students worked together to assemble a scarecrow using clothing, straw, and creative thinking. This collaborative experience encouraged communication, cooperation, and shared problem-solving.

Through movement, laughter, and teamwork, children learned the value of working together toward a common goal — a skill that reaches far beyond the classroom.

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🌟 Learning the Mariner Way

Each activity this month focused on developing essential skills, including:

• Five senses exploration

• Fine motor development

• Creativity and imagination

• Cultural awareness

• Teamwork and collaboration

These experiences reflect our commitment to hands-on, meaningful learning that nurtures the whole child — academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are incredibly proud of our students and teachers for bringing the harvest season to life in such creative and thoughtful ways. November reminded us that when children are given the space to explore, create, and collaborate, learning becomes both powerful and joyful.

🍂 From kernels to creativity — this is Mariner Montessori. 💫

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🧠 Creativity Compass Award – October Winner!

Congratulations to Explorer 2 at Mariner Montessori Galleria for winning our October Creativity Compass Award! 🎉

Their project, “Learning About the Skull and Brain,” beautifully demonstrated hands-on learning, curiosity, and real-world connection — all core elements of our Mariner DNA. 🌟

This month, the Explorer 3 class explored human anatomy in a way that was both simple and deeply meaningful. The teachers helped children understand how the skull protects the brain through a clever and memorable activity using an egg as a model — the shell representing the skull and the inside representing the brain.

Just like the egg’s fragile inside needs protection, the children learned that our brain is delicate and needs the skull (and sometimes a helmet!) to keep it safe. 🪖

Through this thoughtful lesson, students learned not only about anatomy but also about safety, self-awareness, and respect for their own bodies — essential life lessons that connect science and self-care.

👩‍🏫 In the words of the Explorer 3 teachers:

Learning About the Skull and Brain

This week, we learned about the skeleton, focusing on the skull. The skull is the hard bone that protects our brain.

To help the children understand this, we used an egg as a model. The outer eggshell represented the skull, and the inside of the egg represented the brain.

Just like the egg has a fragile inside that needs protection, our brain is delicate and needs the skull to keep it safe.

We also talked about how we protect our skull and brain every day. For example, when we ride a bike, we wear a helmet. The helmet gives extra protection, just like the skull protects the brain.

Teaching children to understand their bodies helps them develop respect and care for themselves. It also encourages them to make safe choices, such as wearing helmets, walking carefully, and being mindful of their movements.

This lesson helps children:

- Build awareness of their body and how it works

- Understand safety and self-care habits

- Develop curiosity and respect for learning about science and anatomy

The Explorer 2 team will receive 4 hours of paid time off, and their story will be featured across our Mariner Montessori Blog and social media channels. ✨

Thank you to all our teachers for bringing creativity, innovation, and heart into every classroom. Your projects continue to show what makes Mariner Montessori truly one of a kind. 💫

🌟 Creativity Compass Award: Mariner Montessori at Galleria : Explorer 1’s Johnny Appleseed Journey 🌟

Congratulations to Explorer 1 at Mariner Galleria for winning our very first Creativity Compass Award! 🎉

Their project — “Johnny Appleseed Journey” — turned history into a hands-on, imaginative adventure. The children walked barefoot through ice, rocks, and gravel while balancing pots on their heads, discovering what it might have felt like to be Johnny Appleseed himself. The students engaged in rich sensory experiences while learning about geography, the changing seasons, and the joy of perseverance through play.

Johnny Appleseed, whose real name was John Chapman, was a pioneer who spread apple trees across early America and became known for his kindness, generosity, and love of nature — values we continue to celebrate at Mariner Montessori. 🌱

The Creativity Compass Award was created to honor and highlight what we call our Mariner DNA — creativity, innovation, and learning through experience. Each month, one classroom will be selected for bringing imaginative and meaningful learning to life. The winning project is featured on our Mariner Montessori blog and social media channels to inspire others across our community.

This month, we are thrilled to share the story directly from the heart of our Galleria Explorer 1 team — the educators who brought this journey to life.

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🍎 Planting Seeds of Kindness: Our Johnny Appleseed Journey in Explorer 1

By Ms. Michelle, Ms. Angely, and Ms. Mirian – Explorer 1 Team

First off, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who recognized and celebrated our Johnny Appleseed project. Your kind words and encouragement reminded us why we do what we do, and filled our hearts with renewed motivation to keep creating meaningful experiences for our students.

This project began as a simple spark. One morning, Ms. Angely turned to Ms. Michelle and said, “I saw this idea about Johnny Appleseed...” At first, it was just a passing thought. But as we began to explore his story more deeply, we discovered something truly special. Johnny wasn’t just a man who planted apple trees, he was a gentle soul who lived with humility, compassion, and a deep love for nature and animals. His values aligned beautifully with the Montessori philosophy we hold dear.

That’s when the Explorer 1 team — Ms. Michelle, Ms. Angely, and Ms. Mirian — decided to bring Johnny’s journey to life in a way our preschoolers could feel, touch, and remember.

🌿 From Story to Sensory Adventure

We transformed our lesson into a hands-on experience that invited our little learners to walk in Johnny’s footsteps. First, we headed to the garden, where the children helped us gather branches, rocks, and dried leaves — each item becoming part of the landscape of Johnny’s travels. The excitement was contagious! Tiny hands reached for twigs and treasures, and laughter filled the air.

Then came the ice cubes — yes, ice cubes! We asked Ms. Imelda (who is always so kind and supportive) if we could borrow some for our activity. She smiled and said, “Absolutely, grab as much as you need!” With her help, and Ms. Mirian’s thoughtful setup to make cleanup a breeze, we created a sensory trail that mimicked rivers, forests, and the changing seasons Johnny would have encountered.

Music played softly in the background, and each teacher added their own magic — snapping photos, guiding little feet, narrating Johnny’s journey, and making sure every child felt part of the story.

💛 A Lesson in Empathy and Respect

What made this experience so powerful wasn’t just the creativity — it was the message. Johnny Appleseed’s life reminds us that kindness, simplicity, and respect for all living things are values worth planting in every child’s heart.

At Mariner Montessori, we believe in nurturing compassion from the earliest years. Every day in Explorer 1, we weave stories, songs, and activities that help our students grow not just academically, but emotionally and socially.

This project was a beautiful reminder that learning can be joyful, meaningful, and deeply human. We hope our Johnny Appleseed journey inspires other educators to dream big and teach with heart. 🌻

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With gratitude and joy,
Ms. Michelle, Ms. Angely, and Ms. Mirian
Explorer 1 Team

🌳 Why We Chose the Name “Six Oaks” – and Why It Matters

When we first stepped onto the property at 6024 Fairdale Lane, we knew we had found something special. Right in the heart of the city stood six tall, mature oak trees — strong, beautiful, and full of life. Their natural shade, quiet strength, and calming presence inspired us right away. That’s why our new Galleria campus expansion is proudly called Mariner Montessori Six Oaks.

But these trees are more than a name — they’re part of the reason we chose this space in the first place.

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🌿 Nature as a Classroom

In Montessori education, the environment is everything. We prepare our indoor classrooms carefully to support independence, exploration, and discovery — and we believe the outdoor environment should be just as intentional.

At Six Oaks, our new playground is designed to be a natural extension of the Montessori classroom. Under the shade of the six oak trees, children have the freedom to climb, dig, balance, explore, and imagine. It’s not just a break from learning — it is learning.

Spending time outside helps children:

• Build strength, balance, and coordination

• Spark creativity through open-ended play

• Learn to solve problems and make decisions independently

• Connect with nature and the world around them

It’s exactly what Dr. Maria Montessori envisioned — children learning through movement, through nature, and through real experiences.

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🌞 A Space for Growth

Our outdoor environment encourages children to follow their curiosity. They might gather leaves, water the plants, build pretend forts with sticks, or simply lie under the trees watching the clouds go by.

These kinds of moments build more than just memories — they build confidence, focus, and joy.

In a world that moves quickly, we believe it’s important to give children space to slow down, breathe fresh air, and feel free. That’s why we designed our playground not just with equipment, but with purpose — to support the whole child, just like we do inside the classroom.

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💚 Growing Under the Oaks

At Mariner Montessori Six Oaks, children will do more than play outside — they’ll grow outside. They’ll grow stronger, more confident, more connected, and more independent — all under the shelter of six beautiful trees that remind us, every day, of the power of nature in education.

We can’t wait for your family to experience it with us.

🌟 Mariner Montessori: Elevating Early Childhood Education in Greater Houston

Mariner Montessori offers what many families across Greater Houston are truly searching for — a preschool that goes far beyond the basics. We provide an extraordinary early childhood experience where Montessori tradition is seamlessly combined with innovative S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning. Conveniently located in both the Galleria and Heights neighborhoods, our campuses are designed to inspire, nurture, and empower children from 6 weeks to 6 years old.

What sets us apart? Every feature of our school is intentionally built to exceed the expectations of not just local families — but any school comparison across the Greater Houston area.

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What Mariner Montessori Offers BETTER Than Other Schools

1. Montessori Meets Modern S.T.E.A.M.:
Many schools offer Montessori. Others focus on S.T.E.A.M. We uniquely offer both. Our curriculum combines hands-on Montessori learning with project-based S.T.E.A.M. enrichment that stimulates curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking — preparing children for the world ahead.

2. Lower Student-to-Teacher Ratios Across All Ages:
Mariner Montessori significantly exceeds the state’s minimum teacher-to-child ratios — because we believe children thrive with more individualized care and attention. Here’s how we compare:

• Infant Program (6 weeks–17 months): 3:1 ratio (state minimum: 4:1)

• Toddler Program (18–35 months): 8:1 ratio (state minimum: 11:1)

• Primary Program (3–6 years): 10:1 ratio (state minimum: 15:1)

These intentionally lower ratios reflect our commitment to quality and child well-being. In our infant classrooms, for example, we respond promptly to every child — no baby is left to cry it out. In toddler and primary programs, our educators can truly know each child, helping them progress confidently through personalized learning.

3. Exclusive Liverpool FC Academy Partnership:
We are the first Montessori preschool in the U.S. to partner with Liverpool FC Academy. This age-appropriate soccer training program builds teamwork, physical confidence, and discipline — another unique enrichment opportunity that few others can claim.

4. More Space, More Exploration:

• Galleria Campus (including Six Oaks) spans nearly 2 acres, offering over 12,000 sq ft of beautifully crafted indoor space and more than 20,000 sq ft of thoughtfully designed outdoor play areas. Nature trails, gardens, and our own soccer field provide unmatched opportunities for movement, discovery, and outdoor learning.

• Heights Campus is centrally located in 77007 and housed in a secure, standalone building with generous classrooms and outdoor play space. It's a rare gem in the urban core — offering convenience, safety, and ample room for children to grow.

Both campuses hold the prestigious Texas Rising Star 4-star rating — the highest quality designation awarded in Texas.

5. Fresh Meals Included – No Extra Cost:
We serve fresh, nutritious meals and snacks prepared in-house daily — all included in tuition. Many schools charge extra for meals or serve processed options. We believe well-fed kids are better learners.

6. Daily Family Connection:
We use secure digital platforms to keep families updated with photos, videos, and notes every day. Combined with regular progress meetings, we foster true parent-school partnership, which builds trust and transparency.

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Our Commitment

Mariner Montessori is not just a daycare. It’s a purpose-built educational experience, staffed by passionate and qualified educators who are dedicated to nurturing the whole child. We go above and beyond — because we believe every child deserves the best start possible, and that means the highest quality care and education available.

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Quick Reference

• Name: Mariner Montessori

• Locations: Galleria and Heights (Houston, TX)

• Ages Served: 6 weeks to 6 years

• Curriculum: Authentic Montessori blended with S.T.E.A.M.

• Standout Features: Low student-to-teacher ratios (3:1 infant, 8:1 toddler, 12:1 primary), Liverpool FC Academy, 4-Star Texas Rising Star, chef-prepared meals, spacious indoor & outdoor campuses

We invite you to schedule a visit and see why Mariner Montessori is raising the standard for early childhood education — not just in our neighborhoods, but across all of Houston.

🌳 Introducing Mariner Montessori Six Oaks: A New Chapter in Galleria

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Galleria campus with the upcoming opening of Mariner Montessori Six Oaks, located at 6024 Fairdale Ln, right next to our current location at 6018 Fairdale Ln .

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🌟 A Thoughtfully Designed Learning Environment

Our new 4,000-square-foot facility has been meticulously remodeled with sustainability and student well-being at its core. Highlights include:

• Four brand-new classrooms, each furnished with the latest Montessori materials and child-centered furniture.

• Abundant natural light throughout the building, creating an inviting and inspiring atmosphere.

• Renewable energy sources, including solar panels, powering the campus to reflect our commitment to environmental responsibility .

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🌿 The Six Oaks Playground

One of the most inspiring features of our new campus is the outdoor space — home to six magnificent, mature oak trees that provide natural shade, beauty, and a sense of wonder. It’s what inspired the name Mariner Montessori Six Oaks, and it’s also a key reason we chose this site for our Galleria expansion.

The playground at Six Oaks is more than just a place to play — it’s a thoughtfully designed natural learning environment. Children will enjoy daily access to open-air play under the canopy of these oaks, which helps support:

• Physical development, coordination, and strength

• Cognitive growth, through imaginative and exploratory play

• Emotional regulation and reduced stress levels

• Social skills through group play and collaborative problem-solving

• Connection to nature, promoting mindfulness and environmental awareness

Research shows that outdoor play improves focus, confidence, and even academic outcomes. At Mariner Montessori, we believe that learning doesn’t only happen indoors — and the Six Oaks playground is a perfect extension of the Montessori classroom.

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📅 Opening Summer 2025 – Enroll Early and Save

Mariner Montessori Six Oaks is set to open in Spring 2025. Families who enroll before the end of the year will receive a 2025 special rate!

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📍 Visit Us

• Galleria Campus: 6018 Fairdale Ln, Houston, TX 77057

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact us at 713-783-7490 or visit our website at www.marinermontessori.com.

Exciting News: Our New Campus is Coming Soon!

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of our newly remodeled campus, designed with education and sustainability in mind. Our 4,000 square foot building located at 6024 Fairdale Ln is bathed in natural light, creating an inviting and inspiring environment for learning. Every corner of our campus has been thoughtfully updated with brand-new furniture, ensuring comfort and functionality for our students and staff.

In our commitment to environmental responsibility, the campus is powered by renewable energy sources, including solar panels, making it a green and sustainable place for education.

Our outdoor space has also received a significant upgrade. The new playground, shaded by beautiful natural oak trees, features a modern design and all-new equipment, providing a safe and enjoyable area for children to play and explore.

We look forward to welcoming you to our new campus in Spring 2025. Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to take advantage of our special promotion: sign up before the end of the year and receive a $200 credit on your first month!

Exciting News: Our School is a Top 3 Finalist in the Houston Chronicle’s Best of the Best 2024!

We are thrilled to announce that our school has been selected as one of the top 3 finalists in the Houston Chronicle’s Best of the Best 2024 for early childhood education! This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to providing exceptional early childhood education and fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment for our young learners.

About the Houston Chronicle’s Best of the Best Program

The Houston Chronicle’s Best of the Best program celebrates excellence across various categories, including education, dining, entertainment, and more. Each year, the community nominates and votes for their favorite businesses and institutions, making this recognition a true reflection of community support and appreciation1.

Our Journey to the Top

Being nominated and then selected as a top 3 finalist is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire school community. From our talented and caring teachers to our supportive parents and enthusiastic students, everyone has played a crucial role in achieving this honor.

What Sets Us Apart

Our school stands out for its innovative curriculum, engaging learning activities, and a strong focus on the holistic development of each child. We believe in creating a safe and inclusive environment where children can explore, learn, and grow at their own pace. Our programs are designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

Thank You for Your Support

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey. Your votes, encouragement, and trust in our school have made this achievement possible. We are proud to serve our community and will continue to strive for excellence in early childhood education.

Pioneering Partnership: Mariner Montessori & Liverpool FC International Academy

Introduction:

Mariner Montessori is thrilled to unveil a transformative partnership with Liverpool FC International Academy Texas, a collaboration we're proudly calling "Mariner X Liverpool." This partnership is a landmark initiative in early childhood education, blending the physical dynamism of soccer with comprehensive developmental education. By bringing the renowned expertise and global legacy of Liverpool FC into our curriculum, we're creating an unparalleled opportunity for our young learners. This initiative is not just about introducing soccer; it's about integrating a global, disciplined, and team-focused approach to learning that resonates with our ethos of holistic development and excellence.

Tailored Soccer Programs:

Our partnership introduces two specialized soccer programs, each with sessions lasting 30 to 35 minutes:

1. Red Rookies (2-3 years): Tailored for our youngest enthusiasts, this program introduces the wonders of soccer through playful and imaginative activities. The Red Rookies experience focuses on developing basic motor skills, understanding teamwork, and instilling a love for the game through interactive games and activities. It's an engaging way to develop coordination and social skills in a fun, nurturing environment.

2. Red Champions (3-6 years): Designed for older children, this program builds on the foundations laid by the Red Rookies. The Red Champions sessions delve deeper into soccer techniques like dribbling, passing, and shooting, while also nurturing strategic thinking and sportsmanship. Beyond physical skills, these sessions emphasize the importance of collaboration, respect, and perseverance, preparing children not just for the game of soccer but for life's many challenges and teamwork situations.

Why This Partnership Matters:

• Holistic Growth: The Mariner X Liverpool initiative goes beyond soccer skill development. It aims to nurture the overall development of children, fostering not only physical agility and coordination but also critical thinking and problem-solving skills through team-based activities and strategic play. This holistic approach supports the physical, mental, and emotional growth of our students.

• Positive Introduction to Sports: Our programs provide a welcoming and supportive environment for children to explore and enjoy sports. By making their first experience with sports positive and enjoyable, we encourage a lifelong interest in physical activity, helping to foster healthy lifestyle habits from an early age.

• Character Development: Each session is carefully designed to instill important life values such as respect, cooperation, and appreciation. Through team play and interactive activities, children learn the importance of teamwork, empathy, and sportsmanship. These sessions serve as a platform for teaching important social skills and building character.

• Global Perspective: The partnership connects our students to a wider global context. Exposure to Liverpool FC's international legacy and values offers children insights into different cultures and global sportsmanship. This broadens their horizons, encouraging them to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives and to see themselves as part of a larger global community.

Conclusion:

The Mariner X Liverpool partnership is more than just an educational program; it is a comprehensive approach to nurturing young minds and bodies. It uniquely combines the physical benefits of soccer with the development of important life skills and global awareness.

Mariner Montessori Celebrates Winning Work Together Wednesday Award from TXAEYC

Mariner Montessori is thrilled to announce that our innovative blindfolded Easter egg hunt has earned us the prestigious Work Together Wednesday Winner award during the 2023 Week of the Young Child (WOYC) celebration, hosted by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC). Our team's dedication to fostering early childhood development and promoting the importance of quality early education has not gone unnoticed, and we are honored to receive this recognition.

WOYC is an annual event held from April 1st to 7th, celebrating our youngest learners, their families, educators, and the significance of early childhood education. This year's theme, "Texas Together," highlights the collaborative efforts of TXAEYC, ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), and early learning programs across the state to raise public awareness about the importance of creating supportive environments for early childhood development.

As part of the WOYC celebration, TXAEYC encourages participants from various backgrounds, including teachers, directors, educators, trainers, organizations, college students, student organizations, and parents, to showcase their creative activities that exemplify Texans working together in early childhood education. Participants share their WOYC celebration and activities on social media using the hashtag #WOYCTEXAS and tag @TXAEYC.

Mariner Montessori's winning entry showcased our blindfolded Easter egg hunt, an inclusive and engaging activity that aligns with the spirit of Texas Together. As a result, we will receive free staff trainings from the ChildCare Education Institute, books for our school, and public recognition on TXAEYC's social media accounts and monthly e-newsletter. Additionally, our amazing teachers, who give their best to our students every day, will receive a child development and learning course from CCEI, the WOYC partner.

We're overjoyed to share the WOYC Winner 2023 award with our community and remain committed to working together to nurture every child's potential. Mariner Montessori would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to TXAEYC for recognizing our efforts in promoting quality early childhood education. We look forward to continued collaboration and success in our mission to provide exceptional learning experiences for young children.

You may follow this link to see our award winning social media post.

Mariner Montessori rated highest quality preschool from Texas Rising Star!

Mariner Montessori is proud to announce that it has received the highest rating, a 4-star rating, from the Texas Rising Star program. The Texas Rising Star program is a quality-based child care rating system for child care and early learning programs participating in the Texas Workforce Commission's Child Care Services program. The program offers three levels of quality certification (Two-Star, Three-Star, and Four-Star) to encourage child care and early learning programs to attain progressively higher levels of quality.

Numerous studies have shown that children who attend high-quality early learning programs are more prepared for school than those who do not (Gormley, Gayer, Phillips, & Dawson, 2005; Magnuson, Ruhm, & Waldfogel, 2004). For example, a study by Gormley and colleagues (2005) found that children who attended high-quality preschool programs were more likely to have higher test scores and fewer grade retentions in elementary school. Programs that achieve Texas Rising Star certification, which means they offer quality care that exceeds the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's Child Care Regulation minimum standards, are in a better position to positively affect the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development of children (Texas Rising Star, 2021). As programs advance through the levels of Texas Rising Star certification, they are increasingly able to positively impact the development of the children they serve.

A 4-star rated center like Mariner Montessori demonstrates a commitment to quality and excellence in early childhood education. These centers often go above and beyond the minimum standards set by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and offer a wide range of enrichment activities, resources, and support for children and families.

We are thrilled to have received the 4-star rating from the Texas Rising Star program and will continue to strive for excellence in the care and education we provide to our students.

References:

Gormley, W. T., Gayer, T., Phillips, D., & Dawson, B. (2005). The effects of universal pre-k on cognitive development. Developmental Psychology, 41(6), 872-884.

Magnuson, K., Ruhm, C., & Waldfogel, J. (2004). The effects of pre-k on school preparation and academic achievement. The Future of Children, 14(2), 187-220.

The Importance of Reading

“Readers are leaders” is probably the phrase that people heard quite often. Reading is a great source of knowledge and learning new things. However, raising children to be a reader in the age of technology has become challenging. Parents may need to build a habit of reading for their children since the beginning of their life. Several research suggests that reading in early ages could lead to better school performance and result in bigger or better success when the children grow up and become adults. Therefore, it is recommended to support children with reading from very young. 

Reading to children early will cultivate the love for reading for which is significant for advancing specific literacy skills. It will promote emergent literacy, language and cognitive development, imagination and supports the relationship between children and parents. When parents have positive attitudes towards reading, they are prone to pass this attitude to their children toward literacy. Reading will assist them to have a solid language and literacy skills later in life. In addition, early reading is more than just a nice thing to do with children. It has a very important role in building brain networks that will serve children long-term as they transit from verbal to reading. 

When parents share books and read out loud with children, they can enhance the understanding of the world for their children as well as their social skills and the ability to cope with different situations. Moreover, they tend to have a higher score on achievement tests in all subject areas and have a greater knowledge than those who do not. 

Here are 4 suggestions to help children cultivate the love for reading 

1. Building their habit: Having a habit of reading starts from a young age. Parents could help them by having a bedtime story. It is a habit of reading books together before children go to sleep. Not only it would help strengthen child-parent relationships, it also strengthens their vocabulary and communication as well. Key to success is that parents must be consistent and make reading a positive experience for children. 

2. Discussing after reading: When children are able to start speaking, parents are able to ask them questions after reading each book. For example, if the content of the book is about sharing, you may ask children, “Do you think sharing is a good thing? And why?” It will allow children to express their opinion and also increase their self-esteem. Parents can teach their young kids during discussion time about certain topics according to the content of each book, such as social manner, sharing, and etc. 

3. Letting them choose the book: Letting children choose the book that they would like to read each day is advantageous for building their character. They will learn that they have a right to choose for themselves and be able to enjoy reading even more. It will encourage them to be an independent reader in the future. 

4. Limit their screen time: It is easier for children to access animated entertainment that might keep them entertained. Parents need to limit the time of spending on screen according to their age and suitability. Limiting screen time will be beneficial for children to spend their time off screen and playing with toys, drawing, communicating with other people or reading more. Parents can encourage children to spend their time on vivid books and have a quality time together instead. 

In conclusion, building readers starts from a young age. Parents play the most important role for building a reading habit for their children by having a bedtime story moment together. Early reading will enhance their development in various ways, such as language and cognitive development, as well as the brain and social skills. Children who love reading tend to have higher scores in school that might lead to a better career or better outcome later in life. They are likely to obtain more knowledge and love learning new things. After all, having a reading habit will be advantageous for children throughout their lifetime. 

P. Ratnajarn M.A.

Reference 

Baker, L. (1997). Home and Family Influences on Motivations for Reading. Educational Psychologist, 32(2), 69-82. 

Cullinan, B.E. (2000). Independent Reading and School Achievement. School Library Media Research: Research Journal of the American Association of School Librarians, 3. 

Klass, P. (2015). Bedtime stories for young brains. Retrieved from https://readtogrow.org/wp- content/uploads/Article-BedtimeStoriesforYoungBrains-Klass.pdf

Growth Mindset in Children

Mindset is a characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations. Each individual has their own unique mindset, as do children. Parents can help their children develop their way of thinking and how they think about themselves by encouraging them to have a growth mindset. It will be the result of being successful, resilient and motivated about their life or when they face a difficult situation. Therefore, raising children with a growth mindset is vital. 

Growth mindset concept was developed by professor Carol Dweck. She had compiled decades of research to form the idea of mindset. Her findings have been groundbreaking for people around the world. In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, furthermore talent is just the starting point. Children create admiration for learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Kids who develop a growth mindset will become more resilient when they face challenges. As a result, they will leave their comfort zone to solve problems, try new approaches and grow as a person. 

Nonetheless, a fixed mindset is a belief that children are born with certain talents and it can’t be changed. Children who have a fixed mindset tend to compare themselves to others and believe that their intelligence and talent are innate and immutable. Kids tend to avoid challenges which test their abilities and refuse to take any opportunities. Moreover, it may be associated with parenting style and how parents praise their effort. Therefore, it is important for parents to encourage and assist their children to have a growth mindset. 

Recommendations for parents to assist children to strengthen their growth mindset: 

Praising: How parents praise children seems not so important. They might think that just say “oh, great job” or “You are so smart doing it this way” is enough but it is important than people think. Actually, when parents praise children, they should consider praising on their behavior and process than praising on their character. It is able to put the emphasis on each step that kids took in order to get to the end result. By focusing on the process, children will be keen on asking for help and trying new strategies. For example, if the kids are drawing something, parents could praise on the way that their children drew and on their process. 

Pay attention to their effort over the result: when children learn something new, it is important for parents to pay attention on their effort and keep reminding them that how far they have come, rewarding them on their effort and not on the outcome 

Tell them “...yet”: “Mommy, I can’t count the number till 100, but all of my friends can do it already” said the boy. The mom may tell him “Well, darling...you just can’t do it yet but you will be able to do it one day eventually. I can help you, okay? Let’s try to learn and count it together today”. By telling children “...yet”, they will slowly develop a growth mindset because they do not know it yet doesn’t mean that they will not know it forever or would not be able to know/do it. There will always be a space for them to learn and grow. In the future, children tend to self-talk to themselves when they face difficult situations. 

It is okay to fail: parents can give the permission for children to get it wrong and tell them that it is okay to fail. Parents are able to encourage them to try again and do not give up easily. It may broaden their capability and take risk to experiment an alternative way. They will not feel ashamed to fail in front of their parents and do not need to worry whether their parents will scold them on not being successful on something. By raising kids this way, they will be able to expand their creativity, problem solving capabilities and readiness to embrace challenge. 

Last but not least, growth mindset is not something that children can have instantly. It will take years of procedures and encouragement before kids can fully start practicing growth mindset strategies on their own. It is nonacademic skills which are necessary base for life-long learning and benefit them throughout their lifetime. 

P. Ratnajarn M.A.

Reference 

Dweck, C. (2015). Caro Dweck Revisits the ‘Growth Mindset’. Retrieved from 

https://portal.cornerstonesd.ca/group/yyd5jtk/Documents/Carol%20Dweck%20Growth% 20Mindsets.pdf 

Morin, A. Growth Mindset: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from 

https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-your-child/building-on- strengths/growth-mindset 

Young, K. 11 powerful ways to build a growth mindset in your kids. Retrieved from 

https://www.mother.ly/child/how-to-build-a-growth-mindset-in-kids/nurturing-a-growth- mindset

Positive Parenting

Parenting is one of the most significant, rewarding and challenging jobs for parents. It could be one of the main factors to determine how one child would grow up to be like. Even though there is no right or wrong when it comes to parenting, positive parenting is one of the approaches across cultures that would help children to develop their social and emotional skills. 

Positive parenting is based on social learning theory and development psychology. The core of this viewpoint is to have a harmonious parent-child relationship and on the well-being of parents, children and the whole family. Its purpose is to achieve that by mutual respect, being fair to each other, praising on behaviors, setting clear boundaries and rules within the family by having firm-but-kind communication. As a result, children are prone to grow up and be healthy, happy and confident with a great relationship with the parents. 

It is beneficial to raise children positively in many ways: 

1. Better focus and self-control. 

When parents provide age-appropriate guidelines and limits for children's behavior, children will know what they can do and what they can’t with reasons from their parents. Parents may need to recognize and be able to regulate their own feelings and behaviors before they respond to their children as well. 

2. Effective communication 

Raising their kids up with effective communication, parents respond to what their child needs and question them if they do not understand. As a result, when children grow up, they tend to communicate well with their parents because they can expect that their voice would be heard and responded to. 

3. Higher self-esteem 

The approach of positive parenting is believed that there are no bad children. There are only good or bad behaviors. Its core is to teach children to learn for the future instead of punishing their actions in the past. 

4. Easier to accept challenges. 

When children are raised by a positive parenting approach, they are recognized and praised from their strengths, abilities and capacity to learn and develop. When children grow up, it is easier for them to go out of their comfort zone, take on challenges and try something new. 

Positive parenting is all about understanding and loving children. At the same time, parents should set rules and apply them with their children accordingly in a fair and friendly manner. There are “3 Fs” of Effective Parenting that parents can discipline their children effectively. 

1. Firm: Parents should be firm with the rules that they set with their children.

2. Fair: The punishment should be on what parents and children agree on. Parents should state the consequences in advance so that the children know what to expect. 

3. Friendly: Parents may use friendly-but-firm communication style when undesired behavior of their children occurs. They may need to let their children know the consequences they will receive and encourage them to remember what they should do or can do better in the future. Moreover, parents are able to praise their kids for desired behaviors and tell them that it is the right way to go. 

In conclusion, positive parenting is a good approach to raise children. It will benefit children’s development and also strengthen the parents-kid relationship that will last for the lifetime.

P. Ratnajarn M.A.

Why STEM learning for early childhood education

Technology is continuously expanding into every aspect of our lives. Many schools these days usually include STEM learning in their curriculum. They believe that it will enhance children’s abilities to solve problems and discover the world through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at a younger age. Even for preschoolers, early STEM learning will encourage them to initiate their curiosity to explore the world and can support children’s early math development and other important skills. Hence, STEM learning is vital for children’s development. 

STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The core concepts of STEM are curiosity, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. Moreover, it would be recommended for children to start as early as possible because they will be able to explore and naturally acquire these skills. In the future, children who have STEM competencies tend to have better academic outcomes and have a better career choice since the skills are in demand. Hence, STEM skills are essential for kids to learn since their young age. 

STEM learning is utterly beneficial for children in many ways. Research shows that children are able to learn math concepts deeper when they have a chance to apply what they have learned, and discover math in the real world. Children naturally engaged in conversations and experiments using early math concepts, such as measurement and spatial awareness (Lange, 2019). 

In addition, STEM learning will enhance children to have more life skills. They need to solve problems and have a perseverance in solving them. They tend to have logical reasons abstractly. For example, if the kids are building structures with candy pumpkins, they will require to think logically and abstractly how they can put sticks in candy pumpkins and build it vertically without making it falling down. Moreover, STEM learning also promotes language development and encourages independent and collaborative learning. 

In addition, parents are one of the important people that can encourage and assist their STEM skill. Parents are able to do it easily at home through playing or doing activities together with their kids. Not only at school that children can build their STEM skill, but also they can learn in their household with their parents. Parents can initiate fun activities and integrate STEM learning in the activity as well. For example, make magic by letting them observe how ice melts and ask their opinion, as well as teaching them the scientific fact behind it. Baking with your children might be another engaging and fun activity. Parents can teach them recipe and help each other count the number in the tray or might deduct some and count it again. Children will have the opportunity to learn abruptly through playing and applying in the real world experience. 

In conclusion, STEM learning is an essential skill for 21th-century kids. The world is changing rapidly and they might be able to have these skills to survive and thrive for their brighter future with the school curriculum or parents’ guidance that they have been familiar with since kindergarten. 

P. Ratnajarn M.A.

Reference 

Bowman, B., Greenfield, D., Day, C. B., Leslie, D., ... Worth, K. (2017). Early STEM Matters.Retrieved from http://d3lwefg3pyezlb.cloudfront.net/docs/Early_STEM_Matters _FINAL.pdf 

Lange, A. A (2019). Engaging Preschoolers in STEM: It’s Easier Than You Think!.Retrieved from https://dreme.stanford.edu/news/engaging-preschoolers-stem-it-s-easier-you-think 

Mano, H., Molina, K., Lange, A. & Nayfeld, I. (2019). Preschoolers think about, talk about, and solve a real problem in the garden. Retrieved from https://www.ecstemlab.com/uploads /4/0/3/5/40359017/plantingtheseeds-ee.pdf

Grit and Montessori’s pedagogy: keys to success

What are the keys to be successful for children? Every parent may define success for their young ones differently. Some of them may want their children to have a high score of Intellectual Quotient (IQ) since they believe that is a path for a child's success. While we might have many research and studies to look at as of these days regarding a child’s success, one of the well recognized research from Angela Duckworth (2007) suggests that the keys to success are Grit that astonishingly align well with Montessori philosophy. 

Grit was defined as “perseverance and passion for long-term goals”. It is the new term in the psychology field, created by a psychologist Angela Duckworth herself. Her studies have shown that people who have high grit are able to maintain their determination and motivation over long periods of time, in spite of some adversities or failures. In her study, Angela concluded that Grit is a better predictor of success than intellectual quotient (IQ). The study was based on early studies in GPA among Ivy League undergraduates, dropout rate of cadets at West Point US Military Academy, and ranking in the National Spelling Bee. Moreover, it is utterly possible for parents to raise their young ones up with grit. Hence, the children who have grit tend to be successful in the future. 

In addition, teaching grit in children can start from home or in early childhood education. Parents or educators can help children build grit by being supportive and praising their process. Moreover, raising gritty children can also be found in the Montessori Method as well. Montessori philosophy is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children, developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori. Montessori’s pedagogy views each child who is naturally eager for knowledge and has the ability to initiate his or her own learning in a supportive, prepared, thoughtfully environment. It will thoroughly assist and enhance children’s development in their physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills. Students work with intrinsic motivation to learn and learn to be patient. The Montessori method will assist students to develop a desire to become competent and independent. Moreover, this method of education will be able to build grit in children. It will also build character traits that enhance the children to reach their highest academic potential, and are significant to children’s competency to succeed and able to accomplish their long- term goals, according to the study (Dahbour, 2013). 

In the scientific paper of Dahbour (2013), she studied the relationship between grit and Montessori method. The purpose of her research is to comprehend whether the Montessori method elaborates grit and patience in children or not. This research was taken at the 

children’s classroom located in an urban Montessori school. It comprised 53 students, averaged age is 5-6 years old. 13 of them were new students who did not have any background in Montessori school. The experiment asked students to play with the puzzle that they had 2 choices. The first option is if the children decided to put the last piece of the puzzle right away, the kid will be allowed to work on the puzzle only once. The following option is if the children decided to wait until the following day to place the last piece of the puzzle, they will be allowed to play with the puzzles more than 10 times again. Noticeably, the children who have chosen the second option tend to have more grit. Furthermore, the outcome has shown that students who got Montessori education did have more grit and patience toward their long-term goals. 

Last but not least, raising children up with grit is achievable. Parents are able to develop their grit by supporting them when they are doing their activities outside of their comfort zone, despite the hardship and failure. Parents can brainstorm with them and discuss the effort needed in order to achieve their goal and encourage them to have a growth mindset. Parenting grit in children at home will ultimately align with the Montessori school system that will bring the best out of their children to grow up being a gritty adult. As a result, they will be able to go through hardship in their life and will possibly be successful in the future. 

P. Ratnajarn M.A.

Reference 

Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087- 1101. Retrieved from ProQuest Education Journals 

Dahbour, A. N. (2013). The Relationship Between Grit and Montessori: An Educational System. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: http://sphia.stkate.edu/maed/28

Why pretend play is important for children?

Children’s play might demonstrate more benefits than we thought and might be the foundation of their life. Playing is an intrinsically satisfying activity which is essential for their development, such as cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being. It will allow children to emerge their cognitive schemes in action while practicing and strengthen their competencies. Toddlers who are 18 to 24 months old may develop pretend play or symbolic play which is the most exciting breakthrough in play activities. 

Pretend play or symbolic play is known and burgeoned during Piaget’s preoperational period. It is a structured form of playing which normally includes role-plays and object substitution. When children act in pretend play, they are strengthening and integrating previously obtained knowledge and able to express their desires and fears. This is because this type of playing represents a safe setting environment for them. The ability to play in a symbolic play may begin around 11 to 13 months of age which might be the earliest and simplest, such as eating, drinking or sleeping. But by the age of 18 to 24 months, infants will be able to progress their ability to perform multiple acts in a play with a meaningful sequence. Children can collaborate and coordinate their actions with their playmate. They might be able to mimic each other and sometimes they may have the ability of cooperating to achieve a goal. 

There are numerous advantages of symbolic playing. Children may feel encouraging for their creativity and imagination. It will also maximize their capacity for cognitive flexibility. Their language and communication skills will be improved through pretend play. In this setting, children will communicate to their parents or friends and be able to explain what they are thinking which leads to developing their thinking, learning and problem-solving skills. Children often demonstrate more advanced intellectual skills during pretend play than performing other activities. It fosters cognitive, social and emotional development. Fisher’s study (1992) suggests that children who are engaged in a great amount of pretend play perform better on cognitive development tests, language skills and creativity than children who “pretend” less often. Hence, symbolic play for children is crucial. 

From all the benefits mentioned above, parents or primary caregivers may be an important person who can play with and support our own children. Knowing how essential it is, primary caregivers should not ignore or think that this kind of play is useless or a waste of time. Parents could be the very first children’s playmate and support their imagination. Parents might be able to teach their kids through playing and have a better communication or interpersonal understanding of their children even more. 

In conclusion, pretend play is able to foster healthy emotional development by allowing children to express their feelings. It might bother them or to resolve their emotional conflicts. 

Parents should not neglect the importance of this type of play because it will enhance their holistic ability and children will grow up with a greater foundation in life. 

P. Ratnajarn M.A.

Reference 

Fisher, E. P. (1992). The impact of play on development: A meta-analysis. Play and Culture, 5, 

159–181. 

Johnsen, E. P. (1991). Searching for the social and cognitive outcomes of children’s play: A 

selective second look. Play and Culture, 4, 201–213. 

Piaget, J. (1970b). Piaget’s theory. In P. H. Mussen (Ed.), Carmichael’s manual of child 

psychology (Vol. 1). New York: Wiley. 

Piaget, J. (1962). Play, dreams, and imitation in childhood. New York: Norton.