Discusses Maria Montessori's view of the elementary child's educational needs. Maintains that older children need opportunities to use their reasoning abilities to come to a state of peace, stability, and security at the second plane of development. Discusses the teacher's role in cosmic education to incite curiosity and to teach responsibility.…

Discusses the four planes of development and the periods of creation and crystallization within each plane. Identifies the type of independence that should be achieved by the end of the first two planes of development. Maintains that it is through individual work on the environment that one achieves independence. (KB)

Maintains that Montessori education of adolescents (Erdkinder) should prepare them to exercise a self-disciplined will and judgment. Notes the importance of preparing children through Cosmic Education and through community service. Maintains that the logical focus of study for the third plane is the cosmic plan and the adolescent's place in it.…

Draws on a comparison of the characteristics of early childhood and early adolescence to comment on the culture of civility for adolescents. Discusses how Montessori adolescent psychology reiterates the role of the environment, the importance of work, the mindfulness of movement, the savoring of silence, the beauty of language, lessons in grace…

Presents the underlying assumptions for the Erdkinder concept of educating adolescents. Discusses the importance of independence and social life beyond the family, the necessary environmental awareness for youth in the context of civilization, the meaning behind social values of civilization, and the importance of social morals, social…

Maintains that moral education should be at the foundation of educational reform and that education should prepare adolescents to find their place in society. Asserts that secondary level instruction, provided in a rural neutral environment and with opportunities for adolescents to work with their hands and their minds, will help to create a more…

Considers the relationship between elementary and secondary education. Asserts that mixed-aged groups with a difference of 3 years promote cooperation and mutual support. Discusses scouting and sports as a means of fulfilling the void of purely academic schooling, asserting that organizations of this type provide youth with opportunities to…

Reflects briefly on the history of the Montessori movement. Advocates restoring the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) to its original dimensions. Introduces plans for "Educateurs sans Frontieres" (Educators without Borders), an International Study Centre, and the organization of the AMI archives. (JS)

Discusses Mario Montessori's role in the Montessori movement. Reflects on the current state of the world and the plight of children, explaining that hard work is needed to combat current problems in the world. Advocates a reawakening to the fundamental work of Montessori in order to help future generations. (JS)

Asserts that Maria Montessori's concept of education is a theory, explaining that Montessori did not teach a method, but rather a vision for child development. Compares Montessori theory with five other educational theories. Emphasizes the power of different visionary, utopian educational theories which seek a definition of humans and their aims.…

Provides a glimpse of the Montessori past by sharing letters from and stories about Maria and Mario Montessori. Shares insights and lessons learned over a lifetime's connection the Montessori family. (JS)

Discusses the history of the Montessori movement in South Africa. Outlines the contributions and learnings from Montessori's 21 years in South Africa. Asserts that Montessorian actions in Africa have relevance to Montessori internationally. (JS)

Defines normalization and deviations in child development. Discusses the three different levels in the normalization process. Asserts that guiding the process of normalization should drive the practice of Montessori education. Concludes that whenever there are brief episodes of normalization, the true nature of the child shows itself. (JS)

Discusses the development of the human hand from birth to age three as it contributes to the formation of human personality. Considers how parallels in eye, hand, brain, and motor skill development portray the evolving complexity and adaptation of the human grasp and illustrate Montessori theories about the relationship between physical experience…