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As Montessorians, we welcome children to explore all the time. It is through their exploration and hands-on learning that they understand new ideas, solve problems, and come up with amazing innovations. This freedom that we allow in children, that we consistently encourage and support, should also be afforded the people we work with. When we inspire exploration in the workplace, our colleagues and staff feel invested in their work. They take the initiative to offer their ideas, explore new enterprises, and represent the organization in a positive 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 Program Director / Founder

Education should no longer be mostly imparting knowledge but must take a new path seeking the release of human potential —Maria Montessori I started my Montessori school because I wanted to create an environment that was enriching, engaging, and encouraging for children. I wanted to build a school that implements the work and research of Maria Montessori because I believe in her philosophy so strongly. It is a very rewarding experience to see the students’ joy as they embrace a love for learning and truly appreciate their schooling experience. Montessori education, especially in the early years, provides a strong and significant foundation that students carry with them throughout their schooling experience. Owning and Running a Montessori School - A Teacher's Perspective The Montessori teacher does not just educate the child on curricular objectives; she cultivates the development of the whole child. I believe in setting high expectations for students and helping them reach their f...

The child's development follows a path of successive stages of independence, and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behavior towards him. We have to help the child to act, will and think for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit, an art which can be practiced to perfection only when working among children. —Maria Montessori The Advanced Montessori Method, p. 257. Two years ago, my choir group decided to go to Germany to sing throughout the Rhine River region for 10 days. We decided that this was a good opportunity for a family vacation, so my husband and son arranged to meet me after the tour to go to Bavaria. Since the choir trip was planned for the group, I did very little by way of preparation. Conversely, my family planned together for months for our trip to Bavaria, excited to decide where we would go, what restaurants we would try, and the day trips we would make. And although we were only in Bavaria for 6 days, I remember more about that shorter leg of my tr...

Nothing awakens foresight in a small child, who lives as a rule for the passing moment and without care for the morrow, so much as this. When he knows that animals have need of him, that little plants will dry up if he does not water them, he binds together with a new thread of love today’s passing moments with those of the morrow. —Maria Montessori The Discovery of the Child, p. 71. After completing a study of the anatomies of the vertebrate groups as outlined in the NAMC Lower Elementary Zoology manual, my lower elementary students each choose a vertebrate animal for in-depth study. I provide sub-topics for them to research and they compile facts from various sources. The sub-topics they investigate are: classification physical characteristics food habitat predators and prey interesting facts Montessori Lower Elementary: Studying Zoology with Vertebrate Animals Before they begin researching their animals, I give the students presentations on how to make notes and how to record infor...