How do we know when the Montessori method is being done correctly? We will see certain results in the children we work with. Here are some of the outcomes of authentic Montessori: 1. Children will show respect to others 2. Children will be interested in cultural diversity and learning about other cultures 3. Children will [...]
I recently read a really interesting article in Public School Montessorian. Called “Fostering Community Through ‘Brother-Sister’ Relationships in the 6-9 Classroom”, it describes how one teacher paired up kids – in groups of three – to work together throughout the year. Because of the multi-age classrooms, students in Montessori naturally have more of a family [...]
I’m sure all of you have had conversations with non-Montessorians where you’ve been explaining Montessori, and getting really excited, only to see a certain look on their faces. You know the look – it’s somewhere between “I’m not really interested in learning more about Montessori” and “Why would anyone feel so strongly about something like [...]
Since Montessori has been around for awhile, there are plenty of adults around who were in Montessori schools as children. Every so often I’ll meet someone, and when they find out I’m a Montessori teacher, they’ll exclaim, “Oh, I went to a Montessori school when I was little!” Many times it was only for preschool, [...]
A reader sent me an email today wondering it there is any research about using Montessori for adults. Great topic! I’m just going to brainstorm here, and we’ll see what happens. First: what did Maria Montessori think of adults and how they learn? We already know about the learning cycles most evident in ages 0-6 [...]
It might sound funny that I’m calling into question the very name of my company here. But this has been on my mind for awhile and I thought it would be interesting to discuss. Let me say that when I founded my company, I intended my business name to convey that Montessori theory and Montessori [...]
The other day, my mom was taking care of my kids while we were out. As she was getting them ready for bed, my son (who’s 6) looked at her and said, “Grandma, my mom is a Montessori teacher, but you’re nothing.” My mom was kind of shocked, but then she replied, “Actually, I’m a [...]
It’s pretty common to hear lots of misconceptions when talking to people about Montessori. Maybe their brother’s mail carrier’s aunt’s stepsister said that in Montessori schools, kids run wild! Maybe they just have a tendency to reject any idea that is a little bit “outside-the-box”. Whatever the case, I like to view those comments as [...]
Today, Jan. 6th 2007, is the 100th anniversary of the first Montessori school ever opened. On this day 100 years ago, Maria Montessori opened the first Casa de Bambini (or Children’s House) in the slums of San Lorenzo in Italy. Part of me wishes there were pictures (or videotape!) of that first school. But another [...]
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