By virtue of their innate curiosity and the fact that they are often surrounded by novel experiences, children commonly experience awe, which can prompt them to consider their understanding of the world and their place in it. Nature can be one of these awe-eliciting wonders of life. Maria Montessori understood this well, especially when it came to…

In 1951, when Maria Montessori described the pattern of human development as the Constructive Rhythm of Life, marking each of four chapters or planes of development with an inverted triangle, she colored the first and third planes red to represent their intensity (Grazzini, 1996). These two red triangles are referred to as creative periods and…

Montessorians, with their long history of careful attention to children's developmental possibilities, can and should develop materials and pedagogical methods that can help children not merely use but master the technologies of the future. This does not mean putting a computer in the hands of every 3-year-old; quite the contrary. Rather, it means…

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, you have most likely experienced a significant expansion in your teaching responsibilities. Your role may have stretched to encompass being proficient in various technology platforms, nurturing the social and emotional learning of your students, and adjusting to amplified documentation requirements.…

In a span of about three days in the spring of 2023, the author's Instagram feed became inundated with mentions of artificial intelligence (AI), including Chat GPT, text-to-image models, and much more. She would turn on the radio and hear about the controversy surrounding AI, or look at her cousin's social media posts about the injustices of her…

Technology offers a new set of challenges for Montessori educators, as there are concerns of how freedom within limits can best be applied to technology use and how boundaries can be set for safety while not extinguishing children's natural curiosity. For students to have a comprehensive and meaningful understanding of technology and its benefits…

My personal exploration of how digital technology can support my Montessori practice has been a 20+-year journey. This journey has taken me to many places-- some fascinating, some frustrating. One place I never imagined it would take me (because I didn't even know this place existed) was to a lake in Massachusetts.

Wildflower Schools, a network of decentralized "shopfront" Montessori schools, began in 2014, when Sep Kamvar, a MIT Media Lab professor, was unable to find a preschool for his son that fit his needs, and ended up partnering with two veteran Montessori educators, Mary Rockett and Katelyn Shore, to start a school. Wildflower's work is…

In our first article, we outlined some of the reasons for reading failure at the Early Childhood level and beyond, discussed common challenges students face, and explored essential components for quality reading instruction. We'll revisit the students you met in the first article to provide a window into how the Science of Reading can be…

Action research is an essential practice that aligns deeply with how Montessori tasks educators with being scientists, saints, and servants. These three roles anchor educators' understanding and efforts as they seek to incorporate action research into Montessori pedagogy. In this article, the author offers a way to incorporate critical reflection…

Montessori came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century, and the Method was, at first, accepted with enthusiasm. But it wasn't long before the honeymoon was over - American educators wrongfully accused Montessori of being behind the times of educational research of the day. One of these early criticisms of Montessori education…

Action research is characterized by research that is done by teachers for themselves. It allows teachers to study their own classrooms in order to better understand them and to be able to improve their quality or effectiveness. Montessori modeled and laid the foundation for teachers to carefully observe, reflect on their observations, plan for…

In April 2024, the author conducted a research study using an online survey in which Montessori Elementary teachers anonymously recorded their perspectives on the alignment of Montessori philosophy, methods, and the prepared environment with the inclusion of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The thoughts and ideas…

As every Montessorian knows, Dr. Montessori's pedagogy evolved through her work with "phrenasthenic," or disabled and neurodivergent, children in Rome (Trabalzini, 2011). This historical knowledge may lead to the assumption that Montessori education epitomizes inclusive education--that Montessori is indeed education for all children,…

Educators, experienced or novice, Montessori or otherwise, have genuine concerns about working with neurodivergent children, including having the necessary education, adequate resources, and time to accommodate students. Yet a shift in perspective can minimize these concerns: Montessori educators, who are trained to observe, reflect, design the…