This article provides an interview transcript between David Kahn and Mario Montessori (1898-1982), son of Dr. Maria Montessori. Mario Montessori dedicated his life to the preservation, dissemination and application of Montessori's works. Herein Kahn asks Montessori about his time living in the hills of Kodaikanal, India. Montessori touches upon…

Describes spirituality as occurring when one invests energy in goals beyond the self. Summarizes research on cooperation and challenge and self satisfaction during high school and college. Identifies components of Montessori education contributing to spiritual development, and asserts that educators need to help children develop goals beyond…

Gives a personalized account of the individual development of one school administrator/founder in relation to a Montessori school's evolution. Suggests that the school must consider stages of development in teachers and parents. Discusses the expansion of services to a second charter school, identifying how failures can lead to success. Suggests…

Offers suggestions for facilitating collaboration between families and schools, based on experience in Montessori education. Advocates gaining trust through regular informal social gatherings of parents and principal, pointing out that trust can help parents deal with anxiety over future academic success. Notes the efficacy of a parent education…

Defines Cosmic Education using Mario Montessori's concrete illustration of the interdisciplinary and synthetic nature of the program. Suggests that the "The Great River," a sixth "Great Lesson," can be a framework for the history of human cooperation, and that this story lays the groundwork for teaching an understanding of…

Evoking storytelling as a human tendency, suggests that stories involve sight, sound, rhythm, voice, and spontaneous imagination. Claims that because stories appeal to children's inner lives, they are optimal for communicating "life and human relationships and the totality of the natural world." Also claims that stories encourage…

Examines implications of creation stories from a Montessorian perspective. Claims that each era has an epic narrative guiding it, and that current ecology epic can educate and inspire children to fulfill their unique role within the larger meaning of life on earth. Suggests that children have a sense of wonder motivating them to realize their…

Examines the need for a unique administrative philosophy recognizing the dynamics of institutional growth and the personal evolution of Montessori teachers. Argues that the development of Montessori schools occurs in discrete stages; that development is interactive, incorporating elements of freedom, initiative, independence, and self-regulation;…

Presents the guiding philosophy of the North Avondale Montessori School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Discusses foundations of social responsibility, the use of Great Lessons to understand and appreciate the interdependence of all things, the identification and support of children's natural psychological tendencies brought to learning experiences, and the…

Uses an Ohio Montessori philosophy statement as a framework to advocate for Montessori-appropriate assessment in public schools. Evaluates the effects of the Ohio Proficiency Test in grades 4 and 6 on practice of the Montessori philosophy. Finds that proficiency testing does not support the Montessori philosophy statement in key areas, instead…

Examines inclusion of all children as integral to the Montessori approach to education. Through anecdotes and examples, describes one school's methods for accommodating varying paces and styles of learning and for encouraging children to value differences and view learning as a collaborative process. Focuses on the prepared environment, social mix…

Asserts that although there are distinct characteristics to each of Montessori's planes of development, there is no separation, especially between early childhood and childhood. Suggests that these first two planes of education could fall under one "Children's House," and points to the path of responsibility and the steps toward living in society…

Maintains that the Montessori mathematics curriculum is on the cutting edge of meeting the mathematical literacy needs of elementary and middle school students. Discusses how the curriculum adheres to and uses the five standards or goals for school mathematics as stated by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (BB)

Highlights the crucial role of language in child development, including intellectual development and the development of the brain. Describes the types of messages children receive from their parents' words, the importance of talking with children and exposing children to words without pictures, and ways schools can help parents develop children's…

Defines a new leadership in education, which recognizes the comprehensive nature of change in the public school system to meet the educational needs of all children, especially disadvantaged and minority children, in a global economy. Maintains that Montessori education is uniquely prepared to lead public school reform. (BB)