Social and Emotional Learning - The Children's House

Social Emotional Learning at The Children's House Montessori Traverse City

We do things differently. Rather than having a school counselor who provides triage when children are in crisis, we support the adults who care for children. This more individualized approach reaches every child through the adults they already know and love.

In collaboration with Mental Health Consultant, Trisha Short, MA, LPC, IMH-E (II), we’ve developed a child-centered approach to mental wellness in alignment with our Montessori philosophy that reinforces the trust between students and the adults in their lives. It also aligns with the U.S. Surgeon General's recent advice on the mental health and well-being of parents, caregivers, and families.

Faculty have the opportunity to meet with Trisha twice each month to help them be their best for the families in our school community. Trisha sometimes meets with young adolescent students individually to normalize mental health and support their unique social needs. She also leads friendship circles with elementary students. Coffee with Trisha is an opportunity for parents and guardians to meet with Trisha in a group setting to share and learn about relevant topics. Trisha's recommended book list is included below.

In Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett, PhD, he explains that “Educators and parents need to demonstrate the ability to identify, discuss, and regulate their own emotions before they can teach the skills to others in our classroom, research shows that if there is an emotionally skilled teacher present, students disrupt less, focus more, and perform better academically.” (p. 17) “Therefore, working with the adults who work directly with the students not only creates a secure environment and relationship which improves the student's overall success it also supports their emotional wellbeing.” (p. 20)

Social and Emotional Learning in a Montessori Classroom

True social and emotional learning happens every day in a Montessori-prepared environment. Here are some examples at every level. Observing in the classroom and talking with a trained Montessori guide is the best way to see it for yourself.

From the Beginning

In our Nido environment, children are free to safely explore their world with the guidance of trained, loving adults. Unrestricted movement and age-appropriate activities encourage naturally unfolding development at an individual pace determined by each child's nature and inner guide. Children sometimes struggle to overcome obstacles and may become frustrated or cry. The adults carefully observe to support children and help name emotions that we see. Not every cry requires intervention; sometimes acknowledging the communication is enough for the child to continue their work.

Pathway To Independence

Under the guidance of nurturing adults, children in our Young Children’s Community learn how to gain independence by doing. Here, children participate in activities that promote independence, concentration, and a sense of accomplishment. They explore the world together and begin understanding the ins and outs of social interactions. Cooperative activities such as music, vocabulary exploration, food preparation, and story-telling help children understand how they contribute to their community.

Social Development

Primary-aged children are naturally curious about the people around them. The children spend three years within their social group, each becoming a valued and meaningful part of their classroom community. Each child’s contribution to the community is seen as valuable and essential. Because of the freedom allowed in the classroom, they learn from each other in authentic interactions between multi-aged children about social graces and nuances in a safe and respectful setting.

Senses Of Justice And Community

Elementary students meet regularly as a group to discuss classroom ethics, solve problems collectively, and present research to one another. When the community comes together, they can negotiate solutions in an environment where each individual’s feelings and perspectives are respected. With the classroom guide acting as a facilitator, students create a smoothly functioning classroom community, while developing genuine skills in negotiation, diplomacy, and compromise through authentic discussions about real situations; skills that stay with them as they grow and mature into adolescents and beyond.

More than being included, more like belonging

Free from rankings and grades, our Compass Junior High students have real growth opportunities and learn at their own pace how to be a part of an authentic, working community; resolve conflict peacefully; express and relate to their emotions; discover their strengths; lead and collaborate; advocate for themselves and others; and conduct themselves in professional and social situations. When students graduate from our school, they have practiced skills and developed traits that support their personal growth and maturity as they transition to adulthood.

Safely navigating screen time, cell phones and the digital world

Read below for some tips for parents, assembled by our Mental Health Consultant, Trisha Short, MA, LPC, IMH-E (II), on how we can protect our children from the hidden risks of overuse and ensure they develop a balanced, safe relationship with technology.

Tips for Parents

1. Set Age-Appropriate Limits (AAP & WHO Recommendations)

Under 2 years: Avoid screen time, except for video chatting.
Ages 2–5: Limit to 1 hour per day of high-quality content, co-viewed with a caregiver.
Ages 6 and up: Set consistent limits that ensure screen time does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or face-to-face interactions. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), World Health Organization (WHO)

2. Create a Family Media Plan

Develop a customized plan with your child that outlines when, where, and how screens can be used (e.g., no phones at dinner or during homework).
Involve kids in the process to foster cooperation and responsibility. Source: AAP’s Family Media Plan Tool (HealthyChildren.org)

3. Prioritize Face-to-Face Interaction

Human interaction, especially with caregivers, is critical for language development, emotional regulation, and social learning.
Make screen-free time a priority for play, meals, and bedtime routines. Source: Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child

4. Model Healthy Screen Use

Children are more likely to follow screen rules when parents also practice mindful phone use.
Be conscious of “technoference”—when parent phone use interferes with bonding or responsiveness. Source: Journal of Child Development (2017): Parental distraction impacts child behavior and emotional development.

5. Establish Device-Free Zones

Make bedrooms, dining areas, and family spaces screen-free zones to encourage better sleep and deeper connection.
Using a charging station outside the bedroom reduces nighttime temptation for both kids and parents. Source: Sleep Foundation & AAP studies on tech and sleep

6. Co-View and Talk About Content

Watch or use apps with your child whenever possible. Ask questions and encourage discussion.
Co-viewing turns passive screen time into active learning and helps you gauge what your child is consuming. Source: Common Sense Media research

7. Use Tech to Manage Tech

Use built-in parental controls and screen time trackers (like Apple's Screen Time or Google Family Link) to monitor and limit usage.
Set app limits and downtime schedules to help enforce boundaries. Source: Pew Research Center & Child Mind Institute

8. Encourage Screen-Free Alternatives

Promote physical play, reading, hobbies, and creative activities to naturally reduce screen dependence.
Boredom can be a good thing—it fosters creativity and resilience. Source: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Pediatrics)

9. Discuss Digital Citizenship & Online Safety

Talk regularly about privacy, respectful behavior online, and the permanence of digital footprints.
Teaching digital literacy is just as important as limiting time. Source: Common Sense Education & Psychology Today

10. Be Flexible, Not Fearful

Not all screen time is harmful—quality, context, and balance matter most.
Strive for “tech-intentional” rather than “tech-fearful.” Use screens to support your child’s growth, not substitute for it. Source: Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital