The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibility of a better humanity. He has shown us the true process of construction of the human being. We have seen children totally change as they acquire a love for things and as their sense of order, discipline, and self-control develops within them.... The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind. - Maria Montessori, Education and Peace We believe this. We really do. We describe children's peacef

While Montessori classrooms are generally peaceful places to be, and Montessori teachers describe the intrinsic peacefulness of the child, the actual behavior of those same children is sometimes, well, less than peaceful. That we know children's intrinsic nature to be peaceful does not mean that children will always choose the most peaceful way around the obstacles to that nature. Indeed, it is because we believe children can be peaceful that we pay such close attention when

The stereotypes about teenagers abound: the eye rolling, the cliques, talking-back, faces in their phones. If you only believed what you saw in the media, you might think teenagers were universally unruly, antisocial, disrespectful and surly. Yeah, sometimes. But they're just as often, and often more often, kind and compassionate, engaged and idealistic, hopeful to change the world and certain that they can be the ones to do so. They have enough knowledge of the world to noti

As we approach the American Thanksgiving, it's a time to be aware of the things for which we are grateful. But how do we "teach" a virtue that we hope will come from within? As with all of the Montessori environment, we do so authentically and in a way that reflects what we know about children's development. For toddlers, modeling gratitude sets the foundation for children to express it themselves later. Teaching and parenting toddlers is all about modeling the care and atten

“Time Out.” “The Naughty Chair.” “Take A Break.” It’s got lots of names, but it generally works the same way. The child breaks a rule. The parent or teacher sends him or her to a special chair or bench to “think about it,” until enough time has passed that the child is welcomed to return to the regular activity. Some argue that “time out” is a chance for an overexcited child to calm down so he or she can make more appropriate choices. Others argue that it’s a necessary penalt

The stereotypes about teenagers abound: the eye rolling, the cliques, talking-back, faces in their phones. If you only believed what you saw in the media, you might think teenagers were universally unruly, antisocial, disrespectful and surly. Yeah, sometimes. But they're just as often, and often more often, kind and compassionate, engaged and idealistic, hopeful to change the world and certain that they can be the ones to do so. They have enough knowledge of the world to noti

The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibility of a better humanity. He has shown us the true process of construction of the human being. We have seen children totally change as they acquire a love for things and as their sense of order, discipline, and self-control develops within them.... The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind. - Maria Montessori, Education and Peace We believe this. We really do. We describe children's peacef

“Share with your friends!” “Remember to share!” "Give your friend some!" Children who share are seen as more generous, more kind, more social. Children who share are empathetic. Shouldn’t we insist on children sharing until they know how do to it themselves? Yes… it’s just a matter of how. When we chose to share, we demonstrate empathy. We prioritize equity over selfishness. We tend to others’ needs. We trust that our own will be met. When we chose to share, we enact those qu

The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibility of a better humanity. He has shown us the true process of construction of the human being. We have seen children totally change as they acquire a love for things and as their sense of order, discipline, and self-control develops within them.... The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind. - Maria Montessori, Education and Peace We believe this. We really do. We describe children's peacef

While Montessori classrooms are generally peaceful places to be, and Montessori teachers describe the intrinsic peacefulness of the child, the actual behavior of those same children is sometimes, well, less than peaceful. That we know children's intrinsic nature to be peaceful does not mean that children will always choose the most peaceful way around the obstacles to that nature. Indeed, it is because we believe children can be peaceful that we pay such close attention when