At Montessori Milestones, we believe that eating well and moving more isn’t just part of a routine — it’s a foundation for lifelong wellbeing. When children are nourished, active, and connected to their bodies, they’re better able to learn, concentrate, and thrive.
But we don’t teach healthy habits through lectures or strict rules. Instead, we embed them naturally into each day through joyful movement, shared meals, and hands-on experiences that build independence and confidence.
Our approach blends the Montessori philosophy with two trusted Australian frameworks: Munch & Move and FeedAustralia. Together, they help us support physical development, positive relationships with food, and healthy habits that stick — long after your child leaves early learning.
Nutrition at Montessori Milestones
Good nutrition fuels a child’s brain, body, and mood — but it also shapes their lifelong relationship with food. That’s why at Montessori Milestones, we take a holistic and respectful approach to mealtimes.
We provide seasonal, balanced meals and snacks, designed to meet children’s developmental needs while encouraging variety, flavour, and joy in eating. Our menus are planned in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and supported by FeedAustralia — a digital tool that helps us align our daily meals with national nutritional standards.
But food isn’t just served — it’s experienced. In keeping with the Montessori philosophy, children are involved in every part of the mealtime process:
- They help set tables and serve themselves.
- They learn to pour water, use utensils, and clean up independently.
- They sit together in small, calm groups — talking, tasting, and building confidence through shared social rituals.
There’s no rushing, no coaxing, and no pressure to “finish everything.” Instead, educators model healthy attitudes and gently encourage children to listen to their own hunger and fullness cues.
Through this approach, eating becomes more than just meeting dietary needs — it becomes an opportunity for learning, independence, and connection. And over time, those mini rituals form the building blocks of healthy, mindful habits that children take with them into the wider world.
Movement Matters
Movement is more than just a way to burn energy — it’s essential to how children learn, regulate emotions, and build physical confidence. At Montessori Milestones, movement is woven into every part of the day, not just reserved for “play time.”
We follow the principles of the Munch & Move program, which encourages at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity and 90 minutes of active play each day. But in a Montessori environment, movement doesn’t only happen during designated sessions — it’s part of the child’s natural rhythm.
Throughout the day, children:
- Climb, balance, run, and ride during outdoor play in our purpose-built environments.
- Refine motor control through practical life activities, like sweeping, pouring, and food preparation.
- Participate in yoga, stretching, and body awareness exercises that promote mindfulness and coordination.
- Engage in creative movement, including dance, music, and imaginary play.
Importantly, movement is self-directed and purposeful. Children aren’t told to sit still for long periods or participate in rigid drills. Instead, they are free to move, explore, and respond to their physical needs — all while developing core strength, balance, and spatial awareness.
By supporting active bodies, we’re also nurturing focused minds and calm hearts. Because when children move more, they learn more — about their environment, their bodies, and themselves.
Montessori’s Approach to Food and Movement
In a Montessori environment, food and movement are never just routines — they’re powerful opportunities for learning, self-care, and independence.
Rather than feeding children or rushing through transitions, we slow things down and invite them to do for themselves. A toddler learning to peel a banana or pour their own glass of water isn’t just completing a task — they’re building fine motor control, concentration, and confidence.
The same principle applies to movement. In a Montessori setting, children are not confined to a desk or restricted to short play intervals. Instead, they are free to move around the classroom, choose materials, and work at floor level or at child-sized tables. Freedom within limits supports physical development while also respecting each child’s natural drive to move.
Dr. Maria Montessori saw movement and learning as inseparable — what she called the development of the “whole child.” Whether carrying trays, rolling a mat, or climbing outside, every movement serves a purpose and contributes to a child’s growing independence.
At Montessori Milestones, our environments are carefully designed to make these everyday actions possible — so children can take an active role in caring for themselves and their surroundings, all while laying the groundwork for lifelong wellbeing.
Creating Healthy Habits for Life
Healthy habits aren’t taught with lectures, they’re absorbed through daily experience and consistent role modelling. That’s why at Montessori Milestones, our approach is built around repetition, real-world relevance, and respectful guidance.
Children learn what they live. When they see educators enjoying a variety of nutritious foods, speaking positively about movement, and taking care of their own wellbeing, those behaviours become part of the everyday norm. Over time, small, consistent routines — like packing away after a meal or choosing to climb instead of sit — shape how children view health and self-care for life.
Our educators don’t just “manage” children’s food and activity — they actively support children to:
- Make choices
- Try new things without pressure
- Listen to their bodies
- Move joyfully and often
- Engage in daily wellness rituals
This consistency builds a positive culture around health, rather than compliance or control. By embedding wellbeing into our learning environment — rather than treating it as an “extra” — children develop a natural, confident connection to their bodies and their needs.
At Montessori Milestones, we’re not just preparing children for school, we’re helping them build the foundations for a balanced, active, and healthy life.
What Parents Can Expect
As a parent, you want to know your child is being well cared for — not just academically, but physically and nutritionally too. At Montessori Milestones, you can expect a thoughtful, consistent approach to both eating and movement every single day.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Nutritious meals and snacks served at regular times, with menus visible to families and guided by FeedAustralia.
- Mealtime involvement, where children pour their own drinks, serve themselves, and clean up — building independence and respect for food.
- Active play every day, both structured and unstructured, indoors and outdoors.
- Mindful movement like yoga and stretching, helping children develop self-regulation and body awareness.
- Practical life activities that promote fine motor control and purposeful movement, like cleaning, watering plants, or preparing food.
- Daily updates through our parent platform, keeping you informed about your child’s meals, activities, and wellbeing.
You’ll also receive quarterly learning summaries highlighting progress across developmental areas, including physical and emotional wellbeing — with opportunities to meet with your child’s educator and ask questions at any time.
Together, we build the habits that help children feel energised, empowered, and cared for.
Wellbeing Begins with Everyday Independence
At Montessori Milestones, we believe that when children eat well, move freely, and take ownership of their daily routines, they don’t just grow — they flourish. Every mealtime, every moment of movement, and every small act of independence helps shape their lifelong wellbeing.
By blending the Montessori method with trusted Australian frameworks like Munch & Move and FeedAustralia, we give children the tools, confidence, and freedom to build healthy habits that stick.
Want to see how we support your child’s whole development — body, mind, and heart? Schedule a call and experience the Montessori Milestones difference.