Mindfulness is a practice of being present in the moment. Some accomplish this through meditation. Others focus on their breathing. One could also observe every sensation their body experiences or the natural environment around them. When I think of mindfulness and Montessori, I reflect on how one does “a work”. There is such intentionality in every movement and focused concentration of the exercise at hand.
During my own Montessori training, I discovered a new way of being. Instead of moving through the world in a daze, I learned to slow down and to pay attention. During my training, I was a single parent with two young children. I was recovering from trauma, so a lot was plowing through my cluttered brain. Because the lessons I was learning to teach required focus and concentration, the activities cleared my mind. All there is is the work. Children see the teacher’s deliberate, careful movements, and when it is their turn, they can also become mindful and focused. This is an important part of the Montessori normalization process of the child.
“The child who has become normalized is truly a worker-a child who, with deep joy, is absorbed in his work, and whose personality is calm, attentive, and respectful” – Maria Montessori
I think back to Karate Kid, when Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel to focus on activities like “wax on, wax off” or catching a fly with chopsticks. All of these exercises taught movement, focus, and concentration. Like Montessori lessons, martial arts benefits from mindfulness.
“Your mind is like water. When it’s turbulent, it’s difficult to see. But if you become calm, you can see your reflection.” – Mr. Miyagi
Mindfulness and Montessori Philosophy goes beyond the classroom lessons. It spills out into a way of life. In this new way of being, one is self-aware and can regulate emotions. Other benefits can include enhanced relationships where empathy and understanding abound and a sense of peace. When you are present there is more purpose because you are living a life of intention.
Maria Montessori emphasizes the importance of respecting the work that a child engages in and encourages us to try to understand them. She sees each child as an individual capable of accomplishing or learning how to perform tasks to become independent.
Step back for a moment and consider how having respect means allowing others (whether child or adult) to do things for themselves or discover their way of being, rather than imposing your will and way of doing things on them. Micromanagement takes a lot of energy. It is exhausting trying to bend everyone to your way. As a teacher giving a lesson to a child, you can show someone how you do something, then let them try, and allow them the space to discover their own way.
It is easy for me to recall my own experience of having my way of doing something criticized and my negative, resistant response to criticism. Some of us carry criticism wounds from our childhood that make us touchy and very resistant to this type of “teaching”. Yet if someone invites me to do a task with them and shows me how they do something and allows me to try along with them, I am much more receptive. Likely, I will learn from what I am shown and then add my flair to what I have learned and make the process my own. In turn, they may also learn something by showing me and then observing what I end up doing. This is one way in which teachers become better teachers is by observing their students and seeing the students’ ideas being added to their own.
Prepared Environment
Montessori Teachers should spend time preparing the environment for their students. In a classroom where children are working, the teacher observes how the students are responding to their environment and will be making notes regarding what is working or not. Is something hard for the student to get to? Is there enough space for children to do their work? What type of energy does the room seem to influence? Are the children interested in the activities? Is there an activity on the shelf that nobody is using, and why?
Look at your own home or work area. Like you observe children in a classroom, observe yourself in your space. How do you feel in your environment? Clutter can cause anxiety. It is very helpful to regularly make donations of things you are no longer using. What things do you have in your space that remind you of negative experiences? Maybe these things need to be purged. Can you reach the shelves you need to get to? Do you need to have a step-stool available? Continually adjust things and prepare your environment for your success.
If you have children in your home, it is important to prepare an environment for them as well to encourage their independence, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Some Montessori homes even have a small fridge that may give a child access to snacks or drinks they can get for themselves. short shelves, accessible dishes, and cleaning supplies. I cannot stress the importance of having your children be part of a community that cares for the environment. They get a lot more from the experience of being part of the family community instead of being served, and that works best when the home environment is created with them in mind.
Humanitarian values
Maria Montessori said, “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” In a Montessori classroom, the teacher promotes peaceful resolutions, conversation, expression of feelings, empathy for others, internal discipline, and, most importantly, models these principles to their students. This is an important area in which to align yourself. In your life, are you seeking peaceful resolutions to problems? Are you engaging in meaningful conversations, looking for agreeable solutions with others? Are you expressing your feelings healthily? Are you considering other people’s feelings? What do you do to practice internal discipline? In a world so full of conflict, as Montessorians, we should be doing our best to be a beacon of peace and hope for the people in our lives.
Having a positive outlook and looking for the good, focusing on love and kindness, can make a difference in your life and the people around you. Take time to be present in nature. Look at all the beauty. Make sure to seek good things to fill your soul and don’t allow yourself to get sucked into negativity. I do not mean to be naive or avoid all that may be going on, but try to stay balanced and make sure positivity can permeate into your soul so you can share it with others.
I have reached a stage in my life where my children are grown. Although they faced hardships as young people, they have become independent. They are freethinking individuals who want to make a positive change in the world. I couldn’t ask for more!
“Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by the humanity through the child.” – Maria Montessori
If we raise children to be lifelong learners, they could truly impact the future of our planet. Allow them to develop and nurture their compassion for others. One thing I have to remember is to listen. I should not try to solve any problems that arise unless they ask for help. They need to have the opportunity to experience success and failure. So, keeping in line with Montessori principles, they experience the outcomes of their choices. No one tries to fix their mistakes for them. Often, just like me, they just want someone to listen while they work out their solutions.
I am not a fan of the approach of ‘now that you are 18, you need to move out and support yourself.’ I suppose this is like teaching your child to swim by throwing them into the water. We live in a world where this could lead to desperation. Choices are more limited while they are trying to figure out how to “adult”. I prefer going into the water with them. I show them and help them learn. At the same time, I gently encourage them to start swimming on their own.
So for a child entering adulthood it is important to watch and see what they are confident in and see what they ask for help with in order to develop their own independence separate from you. Be available to help, but try not to do what they can do for themselves.
For a young adult learning to take care of their bodies it could be helping them learn about health insurance, selecting a doctor, making appointments, and picking up prescriptions. They may need guidance regarding money management and learning how to use money to take care of their environment. They may request assistance in budgeting, opening bank accounts, how to make deposits, transfer money, paying bills, and taxes. These tasks when accomplished or mastered builds confidence and independence.
Parenting an adult should be a balance between showing, assisting, and acknowledgment of their ability with the goal of building their own intrinsic value and confidence that will allow them the freedom and independence to swim on their own.
I spent the last ten years without the title: Montessori Teacher. Those that know me, know that it is rare to have an in depth conversation with me without the subject turning to Montessori Philosophy and the value it has had for me, not only when I was a teacher but in the way I desire to treat others.
My most recent job adventure was a sales position. I went to call on a couple of my friends who had started their own Montessori school. During the visit, I was perplexed by the comment regarding their disbelief that I was no longer teaching.
Then I asked myself, If it wasn’t about how much money you make, then what would I be doing?
Teaching.
Why?
Because I believe what Maria said,”Within the child lies the fate of future.”
About 12 years ago, a young first-grade student was writing in her daily journal and was obviously distressed and upset. She told me that she hated cancer. Cancer killed her dog and hurt other people in her family. I responded what do you want to do about it? This young person organized a school walk around the playground raising money fight cancer. Another student, in the same class, was upset that people didn’t have enough to eat and she organized a food drive for a local homeless shelter. I want to emphasize that they did it, these young people with their passion decided how to make difference. They were not shut down or even coddled, but guided at a young age to create change instead of standing idly by. With this beautiful philosophy, possibility stays open for these young people and they do not have to fall into status-quo because they experience ultimate freedom to choose and act.
I am now starting to see students I had over a decade ago evolve into young adults. Nothing gives me as much joy as watching as they blaze new paths, having had the background of Montessori education. They learn that they can try anything and that they can independently choose to make a difference in the world.
As I worked at different Montessori schools, one question always was in the back of my mind. Why don’t the adults within the school treat each other with the same respect that they give to children in the classroom?
After Montessori education, I went on to get my MBA. During my business studies I started developing ideas about how Montessori philosophy could be used in business communities. I imagined a work environment where the boss was more of a guide, encouraging and empowering employees instead of always giving all the answers and maintaining all control and power. I imagined everyone working together towards goals and each person giving contributions not for praise but to move the whole company forward, a place where people acknowledge their mistakes and learn from those mistakes without fear of punishment.
I want to encourage those who embrace Montessori philosophy to allow it to flow into all areas of your life. Help guide others to these ideals that promote peace and allow everyone to discover their contribution to the world. I want to continue to discover how to apply the Montessori Philosophy in ways that really empower others through continued learning and exploration.
Montessori Philosophy 