Asserts that adults are not only responsible for preparing the Montessori environment, but more importantly constitute a living environment in and of themselves. Urges Montessori teachers to be an effective link between the child and the environment by manifesting a genuine interest in each developing child and creating a psychological atmosphere…

Working from normalization theory, uses a graphical metaphor to illustrate the liberation of the "hidden self." Explains the layers of the metaphor, the "false person," the "intelligent, rational person," and the "hidden person," and offers several ways educators can work to uncover the layers surrounding…

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…

Discusses Maria Montessori's approach to educating and caring for young children, focusing on her early experiences with poor tenement children in 1907 and the development of the Montessori Method of exploratory, child-centered learning. Argues that children do not have an inner spiritual hunger but are themselves the essence of spirituality,…

Discusses a framework for the creation, evolution, and development of Montessori schools, focusing on the creation of preschool programs, addition of primary and elementary education, and expansion to include middle school and secondary programs. Examines the role of teachers, parents, and students at each of these stages. (MDM)

Discusses the reciprocal relationship between the Montessori child and teacher that provides spiritual rejuvenation to the teacher. The key to teachers' spiritual development can be found in Montessori's insights into the true nature of the child. (PAM)

Synthesizes the Montessori stages of life from birth to adulthood and provides an integrated description of Montessori educational principles. Examines the role of the teacher as learner, revolutionary, and scientist following the child through life. Identifies education as ongoing research on the laws of human development. (KB)

Discusses the implementation of Montessori principles in an all-day setting, noting that children's emotional and physical needs require more attention in an all-day setting than in a half-day program. Also focuses on the important role of the teacher as a communicator with both the children and their families. (MDM)

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.…

Asserts that adolescents within Montessori environments continue to use creative imagination to develop the self and still need concrete materials and manipulative tasks. Maintains that a degree of independence must be allowed for adolescents to form the foundation for self- discipline. Discusses the importance of mastering a few areas in depth…

Discusses the interpretive nature of Montessori education by characterizing the Montessori teacher as an observer of a living, growing, human design. Describes experiences working with Mother Isabel Eugenie in Philadelphia during the 1960s. (JPB)

Explains that in Maria Montessori's California presentations during 1915, she specified the difference between "her" teacher who observed, guided and learned from children and the "regular" teacher who taught what adults thought children should know. Conveys that Montessori advocated teachers be humble, patient, and learn to…