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…

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…

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.

Many Montessorians uphold the belief that, for children, work is preferable to play, and that play, especially fantasy play, is antithetical to work. In recent years, children have experienced disruption to their social and emotional development as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns. Recent research suggests that play in a variety of forms is a…

"There's no one definition of innovation" is a concept that means different things to different people. To explore some of its many facets, the editors of "Montessori Life" had conversations with several Montessorians; this article contains their reflections.

The editors of "Montessori Life" discuss how Montessori practice and outcomes align with the skills children will need to thrive in the future.

Montessori communities are known for beautiful mealtimes. Even at the Infant & Toddler level, mealtime is a key moment for children to exercise independence and healthy social interactions. Meals and snacks with the youngest Montessori students are an essential component of the work cycle and daily routine. The Practical Life curriculum allows…

Like many Montessori educators, the author was immediately drawn to the materials Maria Montessori designed for children in the conscious absorbent mind. They are simple, beautiful, and attractive to children. To many, including some parents, these materials are the essence of Montessori. However, Maria Montessori herself thought of her Method as…

At age 13, Montessori acted on her interest in mathematics and her vision of studying engineering, and convinced her parents to enroll her in a technical institute, in a class where she was one of two female students. This article presents how Maria Montessori broke through barriers to leave an innovative educational method. A timeline of her life…

When Daisy Han first encountered a Montessori classroom, she actually felt free. Free to move, free to create, free to explore, free to try, free to fail, free to be. This freedom is essential to becoming an innovator. Innovators possess an irreverence almost as big as their self-efficacy, both of which have been nurtured in an environment where…

In this article, the author explores the question: did Montessori actually espouse an uninterrupted work period of 3 hours?

Margaret H. Loeffler examines why there is a need for a new examination of Montessori ideas and practices as they relate to the children of the 21st century. She argues that it is imperative that Montessori educators and Montessori parents reexamine its basic principles as well as its methodology to assess its fit with the needs of 21st-century…