AMS Membership versus Accreditation: What’s the Difference for Montessori Schools?
6 min read
Aug 5, 2026
Classroom Practice
Alphabet Parenting: J is for Joyful
Joyful
joy·ful | \ ˈjȯi-fəl
What are the sounds of your home? What are the sounds of your life? Stop for a moment and think about it.
Listen to the morning routine…Is there an upbeat hum of busy feet getting dressed, brushing teeth, and joining one another to eat?
Listen while you drive to school…Is there interesting conversation and genuine joy in the car on the way to school? What does the home sound like when you come back from school or chores or dinner? Does fun music play and do you stop to dance to the beat of life with your children?
Listen at bedtime…Does the home have a tranquil yet joyous sound of peace and love? Is it soothing and relaxing?
Joy comes in many forms. It comes from the contented snuggling and from the wild-dancing twists and dips. It comes from savoring a delicious and perfect bite while sitting next to people you love. Try to make as many joyful moments as possible…depositing into a long-term investment of joyful relationships with your children and family.
Tamar Andrews
Director of ECE @ American Jewish University
Tamar Andrews, EdD, is an Associate Professor at UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and Director of the Early Childhood Education Department at American Jewish University. With 30+ years in early childhood as a teacher and director, she led Temple Isaiah Preschool from 2003 to 2023, where she earned NAEYC accreditation and built an award-winning STEM program. Her work inspired her son Daniel to build Playground. She also teaches at UCLA Extension and Santa Monica College and speaks internationally on early childhood education.
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