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When founder and program director Dale Gausman began NAMC,   one of his goals was to make Montessori learning an inclusive experience that students could fit into their busy lives. From his own training and from running his local Montessori early childhood program, Dale knew how important well-written, complete Montessori manuals were to a teacher’s success. But he also understood that his students’ time was valuable, and he wanted to ensure that they were able to concentrate on learning the Montessori method rather than recording activities. Helping students find balance in their lives became the catalyst for the development of the comprehensive range of NAMC Montessori manuals. NAMC’s Full Set of Infant/Toddler Montessori Manuals What seemed like a bold decision to many at the time was a natural progression to Dale: He decided to provide his students with a full set of published manuals that centered on classic Montessori presentations, giving them the resources they needed to fo...

I think it’s fair to say that the older we get and the more we experience, the more we realize that there are a lot of things we don’t know — and that’s okay. Not knowing something is the catalyst for learning. It is the starting point for researching a topic, asking a question, attending a class, or even exploring new lands. And when we can’t find the answer ourselves, which happens sometimes, it is okay to admit that too. Enlisting the help of experts often means that a job is completed more efficiently and far better than if you had done it yourself. They may even teach you something along the way! As part of NAMC’s anniversary celebration, I have been asked to share 20 lessons that stand out in my experience of providing Montessori teacher training programs worldwide over the past 20 years. We are happy to share the next tip in our series that we are presenting over the next few weeks. I hope you find some of these ideas helpful in your own Montessori journey! — Dale Gausman, NAMC ...

Exploring and absorbing the world beyond the classroom are integral components of the Montessori elementary experience. At the start of each year, we discuss going out activities with our elementary students. We discuss our field trip budget and the richness these experiences can provide us. As a group, we brainstorm a list of places we would like to go. The students choose most field trips, but occasionally the directors may choose a field trip or direct their attention to excursions that relate to topics of study or interest. Planning Going Out Activities in the Montessori Elementary Classroom Each student is then responsible for collecting information about a destination and reporting back to the class. This may involve a phone call and/or internet research. Encouraging the students to research the information allows them to develop stronger communication, organizational, and practical life skills. It also builds their sense of independence. Beforehand, we discuss respectful phone e...

Have you ever worked on a project where people had differing opinions or offered different ideas of how to get things done? When everyone is given the freedom to respectfully voice their thoughts, it can be an amazingly creative process. Challenging yourself to listen to differing points of view can generate unexpected and surprisingly successful results. So encourage diverse ideas, value different beliefs, and be open to learning something new. As part of NAMC’s anniversary celebration, I have been asked to share 20 lessons that stand out in my experience of providing Montessori teacher training programs worldwide over the past 20 years. We are happy to share the next tip in our series that we are presenting over the next few weeks. I hope you find some of these ideas helpful in your own Montessori journey! — Dale Gausman, NAMC Program Director / Founder

 Our work is not to teach, but to help the absorbent mind in its work of development. How marvelous it would be if by our help, if by an intelligent treatment of the child, if by understanding the needs of his physical life and by feeding his intellect, we could prolong the period of functioning of the absorbent mind! —Maria Montessori The Absorbent Mind, p. 38. The recognition of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) has come a long way in being recognized by the medical profession. In the 1960s, Dr. Jean Ayres introduced the term Sensory Integration Dysfunction to describe “atypical social, emotional, motor, and functional patterns of behavior that were related to poor processing of sensory stimuli.” (Miller, Cermak, Lane, Anzalone, & Koomar) Yet, even in the late 90s and early 2000s, when I mentioned that my son had been diagnosed with SPD to his doctors, I was met with shrugged shoulders. Even more frustrating was the fact that the majority of his teachers had never heard of SP...

In a world that often focuses on competition and personal gain, children benefit greatly from opportunities that encourage them to think and act considerately toward others. Montessori teachers try to integrate such opportunities in all areas of the classroom, including physical education activities. To do this successfully in physical education, Montessori teachers shift the focus of sports and physical activities toward an approach that is non-competitive and collaborative. Encouraging Physical Education the Montessori Way: Ideas for Non-Competitive Activities When we teach sports such as volleyball, soccer, and basketball, we emphasize the goals of collaboration and working with a team instead of on scoring points and winning. In a volleyball game, we may encourage the students to continue a rally for as long as possible without letting the ball touch the ground. In soccer, we may suggest that the students work together as a team so that every player scores one goal each. Changing t...

In our fast-paced world, it is sometimes difficult to remember that waiting is okay. In fact, waiting is often beneficial in the long run. Whether you are opening a new school, learning a skill, or guiding a child to read, taking your time and having patience will lead to greater success. And waiting doesn’t have to be passive – it just means that you have the time you need to practice, take care of the details, and dedicate every effort to your goals. Use your time wisely and be ready for long-term success! As part of NAMC’s anniversary celebration, I have been asked to share 20 lessons that stand out in my experience of providing Montessori teacher training programs worldwide over the past 20 years. We are happy to share the next tip in our series that we are presenting over the next few weeks. I hope you find some of these ideas helpful in your own Montessori journey! — Dale Gausman, NAMC Program Director / Founder

Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed. —Maria Montessori Words of Wisdom, p. 58. Two headlines recently popped up in my newsfeed, and as a parent of a young university student, I was curious to learn more. Former Stanford dean explains why helicopter parenting is ruining a generation of children Emma Brown, Washington Post Helicopter parents stir up anxiety, depression IU News Room/Indiana University In the first article, Julie Lythcott-Haims suggests that parents, in an effort to protect and shield children from failure, do more harm than good. Over-helping, she says, causes harm by leaving our young adults “without the strengths of skill, will and character that are needed to know themselves and to craft a life.” (Brown, 2015) Although parents may think they are promoting healthy self-esteem when they help their children, research indicates otherwise. Lythcott-Haims cites statistics that demonstrate an increase in depression and other emotional health probl...