Gracie Fan
Gracie here! I’m the director of Lemon Tree Montessori and I love working with parents who are keen on integrating the Montessori approach into their homes and daily lives. I find immense joy in working with children in the Montessori way, especially infant toddlers. With a carefully curated environment and activities tailored precisely to their stage, I get to witness the magic of fostering independence and nurturing a strong sense of self in these little explorers.
I’m here to offer parents guidance on supporting their child’s growth while allowing them the space to explore their independence. I understand the challenges that come with parenting and strive to bring some tranquility back to your life. With over a decade of experience spanning infancy to kindergarten, I hold the Infant Toddler and Early Childhood Montessori certification from the American Montessori Society (AMS).
Beyond my commitment to Montessori education, you’ll often find me practicing yoga, tending to my plants and animal friends, experimenting in the kitchen, and gazing at the stars. And when I need a breather, I enjoy lounging on the grass in my backyard, soaking in the sights, sounds, and warmth of the Bay Area sunshine.
I’m really looking forward to sharing the Montessori journey with you and your family at Lemon Tree Montessori.
Lemon Tree Montessori:
I often get asked how and why I started Lemon Tree Montessori—a Montessori playdate program and school designed for infants and toddlers.
Originally, I was a Montessori teacher from China, used to working with the 3-6 age group. When I came to the USA, I stayed with a host family who had a newborn and a toddler. I really wanted to use my Montessori knowledge to help them with parenting, but I realized that taking care of infants and toddlers is quite different from preschoolers. So, I decided to take the AMS Montessori infant toddler training. Funny enough, finding a school with an infant toddler program for my internship was a challenge in my area. Luckily, a new franchise Montessori school had just opened nearby with a toddler program, and they took me in.
Still, my heart always yearned to understand how infants grow and work with them. That’s how Lemon Tree Montessori came to life in 2021, with a strong focus on infants and toddlers. As I interacted with parents of younger kids, I’d often hear them joking about the “terrible twos.” It struck me that parents needed support too—helping parents is as crucial as helping the little ones. That’s why I decided to introduce the Montessori Playdate program at Lemon Tree this year. And you know what? I’m all about getting parents involved so they can take what they learn and use it in their daily routines.
So, if I had a little note for all you wonderful parents out there, it’d be this: Start by taking care of yourself, and then peek at the world through your child’s eyes.
Gracie
August 2023