Montessori A to Z: C is for Concentration

One thing that always amazes people when they walk into a Montessori classroom is how focused most of the children seem to be on their given activities. In my classroom, there is often also a buzz of activity that flows around all of that focus. I still remember my father coming to visit. At first he thought that it was just a bunch of kids aimlessly moving about. The longer he watched, the more he noticed what was really going on. "Wow. They are all moving so purposefully. And then they are so focused on what they are doing!" He just couldn't get over it.

Concentration is an essential skill in Montessori. And it naturally comes about in Montessori. Children have an amazing ability to concentrate, especially when they are attracted to something. We use the Practical Life area to hone those skills. Have you ever seen a child pour a pitcher of beans back and forth for ten minutes straight? As she watches them pour and listens to them fall, she is deepening her concentration. How is this possible? I ask you to get two cups or glasses and to fill one with rice or beans. Pour one into the other and then repeat. Continue for a few minutes as you ignore the world around you. (Yes, it feels embarrassing to do as an adult if someone else walks in on you who doesn't know what you are doing. But just go with me here.) Your mind starts to calm. Your body starts to calm. You are developing an ability to concentrate. And when you are calm and can concentrate, you open your mind to all kinds of possibilities.

Other activities have the same effect. Have you ever noticed that some people say they like to scrub something to blow off steam? Again, they are calming their bodies and opening up their minds for concentration. Think of some other "mindless" activities that you do. I like to cut out laminated works or to sharpen pencils by hand. That repetition of cutting strips of paper, or stapling together booklets can transport me just as well as meditation. Montessori children also have a lot of repetition in their activities, again leading to concentration.

Those concentration skills then manifest themselves all across the classroom. Even my most active children have times when they are deep into their activities. That boy who has difficulty walking at a slower pace than a full-on run can actually sit and do a jigsaw puzzle for 20 minutes. Another one with no sense of body awareness who trips over everything in his path will sit and use the bead bars for a half hour. Both of these boys have spent a lot of time transferring beads with spoons and scrubbing tables, among other things.

Concentration allows a child to have the patience to spell out 15 words with the moveable alphabet. Concentration helps a child to pinprick a map of the United States within a few hours. Concentration helps a child do the Hundred Board multiple times in the morning. Concentration helps him learn to calm his body, to be aware of himself, and to mature as a person.

Montessori A to Z: B is for Believe

For the Montessori Method to be successful, you must be a believer. You have to have belief in the philosophy and that great things can happen when it is implemented. You must believe in yourself and your ability to deliver the method and to mentor children. And you must believe in the children. For when you believe in them, they can start to believe in themselves.

Too many times I hear my kids saying that they can't do something. Somehow they have been taught that they can't do for themselves. They give up when the going gets tough. But it is not from being in my classroom. At least I hope not! I always tell them that I believe in them and I never ask them to do something they can't do. They are ecstatic when they realize that they can do a certain task. I think society has turned to the point where people do too much for kids. They are not made to clean up after themselves, so they expect us to be their maids. They are not held accountable for their actions. "Oh, you hit someone today? Well, don't do that. Now let's go get a treat." They are pushed to excel in everything and indirectly belittled when they make a mistake. I hear a lot more of "I told you so" and less of "What can we do next time?" They are held up to standards that they cannot possibly attain, therefore always feeling a failure.

Believing in a child means you are validating his feelings about something. You listen to how he feels about the situation and acknowledge them. You create a two-way conversation and involve him in decisions, while still adhering to your boundaries. You become a mentor and a guide, showing him how to attain each necessary step along the way. You do not do FOR the child. One of my favorite Montessori quotes is "Teach me how to do it myself." When you show a child how to do for himself, you are showing that you believe in him. And that is the greatest lesson of all.

A is for Art

Art is one of my favorite areas in the Montessori curriculum. I grew up in a home environment that was rich in art. I also attended Montessori school from preschool through the sixth grade, where art was a key part of so much of what we did. I love to share it with my kids.

How do you implement art into the Montessori classroom? Start with calendars and posters displayed around the classroom environment. Hang them at the children's eye level, so that they can more easily view them. Rotate them throughout the year instead of hanging them all at once. Be sure to include a variety of artists and styles in your collection. Let children experience them on their own.

Cut apart calendars. Mount and laminate the smaller pictures from the back of the calendar. Do the same for the larger calendar pages. Divide the cards up into groups of 5 or 6 so that it is manageable. Now you have a big-to-little matching activity.

Use the Child-Size Masterpieces series by Aline D. Wolf. Her matching and sorting sets teach children to recognize different works of art, as well as their genres and the artists. You can also use bingo games or make your own dominoes out of stickers.





Put out books for the children to independently look at. One of my favorite series for the children to use is the  Mini Masters series of board books. Each one features real paintings by famous artists, all accompanied by a fun rhyme.




The Touch the Art series of board books also includes famous works of art covering all genres. They add something to make the book more interactive. For example, in the picture of Van Gogh's bedroom, the child can "make" the bed by pulling over a piece of cloth. The Mona Lisa has actual hair that the child can comb. They learn to recognize the famous works as they read these again and again.



With the older children in Extended Day, I also like to read to them the Getting to Know the Artist series. Sometimes these are a little long, so I may have to pick and choose which information I share. Again, these include real pictures of the paintings. The children can also learn more about each artist.



And finally, you need a well-stocked shelf of art supplies. Remember, the whole point is process and not product. Children need to learn how to properly use the different material to make their own creations. Avoid doing crafts. These are product-driven, where everyone is expected to make the same thing. Even if you are trying to copy what someone else has done, you still need to be able to properly use the materials!
Let the kids get messy while also teaching them how to keep their materials contained. Cleaning up the mess falls into practical life. They need to help with the clean-up, so don't do it for them. It will be tempting!
Find ways to implement art into other areas of the classroom. Do a sketch of the growth of the seeds you planted. Draw your own maps of the school and classroom. Recreate the sensorial materials. The possiblities are endless.
For more information on how to set up an art area in a Montessori classroom, please read my article Essential Materials for the Montessori Art Area.

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge

Tomorrow is April 1st. That means it is the start of the A to Z Challenge. Last year, I tried to come up with my own Montessori alphabet. I even restarted this blog on the Blogger platform, instead of maintaining it on my website. Unfortunately, when my father fell ill, I had to give it up. I just couldn't concentrate on school matters while he was unconscious in the hospital.

Through the rest of the year, I attempted to continue the alphabet, but was unable to keep up. So, this year, I am starting fresh. I have a whole new list of ideas that relate to the materials and the philosophy. I am hoping this jumpstarts this blog again, too.

Thanks for stopping by and happy blogging!

Essential Montessori Reading From the Early 20th Century

I believe that to be an effective Montessori educator, you must have an innate ability to do so. At the same time, you have to continually educate yourself about the philosophy, child development and psychology. Maria knew what she was talking about 100 years ago, which is why her philosophy still works today. If you pay attention, other educational methods have been pulling from her ideas, even if they are not always giving her credit.

Dozens of books have been published in the last couple of decades, hoping to bring Montessori back to a modern audience. Countless blogs are also available across the Internet. While these modern interpretation are wonderful, we also need to remember to go back to the source. 

While perusing free books across the Internet, I finally came across a large selection of Montessori books that are free from Google Books. In addition to Maria's own words are some thoughts from her contemporaries during the time she was alive. There is something inspirational to take a look at the philosophy from a historical standpoint. Here is a list of Maria's books and others that are available for you to download to your e-reader, or even peruse on your computer.


books by Maria....

The Montessori Method

This is the original book that introduced Maria's philosophy to the world. In this book she provides the basis of her philosophy, how it was developed, how it relates to child development, how to prepare the teacher, and activities for in the classroom. It also includes many photographs of Maria working in her own environment, which is truly inspiring.

This is a digital copy of the first English edition from 1912. I actually own my own copy of a first English edition, in addition to a more modern version. I feel much more connected when holding that book in my hands. Consider this like a first draft.

Get your Google Books copy here.


Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook

What I love about this book is how it breaks down the didactic equipment into easy to understand terms. Learn what each material is meant for and how to implement its proper use. It is a great reference for parents who are wondering what these materials are that the teachers and children are talking about. It also is a great quick reference for assistants and teachers who are reviewing materials and lessons.

The photographs may be in black and white, but they are still quite informative.

Get your Google Books copy here.


The Advanced Montessori Method, Volume 1: Spontaneous Activity in Education

In this book, Maria goes into even more detail about her philosophy of education. She delves into more child development, preparation of the teacher and preparation of the environment. She also addresses social issues of the time, as well as educational philosophy of the time.

Get your Google Books copy here.


Pedagogical Anthropology

This is a collection of speeches by Maria Montessori, regarding the physical and spiritual development of the child.

Get your Google Books copy here.


books by others....

A Montessori Mother by Dorothy Canfield Fisher


Dorothy Canfield Fisher was one of Maria Montessori's biggest advocates back in the day. She was determined to bring Montessori to America and often wrote about it. This book is her meditation on the Montessori method, after reading the book and actually traveling to Italy to witness the schools in action. She discusses how parents can apply the method within their own homes. It is a parent speaking to other parents.

Get your Google Books copy here.


The Montessori Manual by Dorothy Canfield Fisher

In this book, Dorothy Canfield Fisher attempts to break down The Montessori Method by Maria Montessori, into an easier-to-read format. While maintaining the integrity of the original work, she tries to strip away the drier philosophical passages and instead focuses on the concrete nuts and bolts of methodology and materials.

Get your Google Books copy here.


The Montessori System by William Heard Kilpatrick

Kilpatrick was an advocate of the Progressive Education movement. A student of John Dewey, he developed his own method of education that used a thematic approach. He, like Montessori, believed the child should be guided through education based on his own interests, and should incorporate all senses while doing so. This is his explanation of the Montessori philosophy.

Get your Google Books copy here.


A Guide to the Montessori Method by Ellen Yale Stevens

Ellen Yale Stevens spent many years studying John Dewey. In the dedication section of this book, she thanks him for paving the way for Americans to be receptive to the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori. Her purpose in writing this book was to apply her understanding of the Method to Americans. She wanted to clear up any misconceptions that came with the initial introduction in the United States. She also offered up her ideas on how to implement the method in the US, based on experiments she performed during one summer. 

Get your Google Books copy here.


The Montessori Principles and Practice by Edward Parnall Culverwell

Edward Parnall Culverwell lived in London in the early 20th century. He was disillusioned by Plato and hoped that Montessori would be able to bring back some practicality in education. He is very critical of her work in this interpretation.

Get your Google Books copy here.


The Montessori Didactic Apparatus by the House of Childhood

I love this one. It is a catalog of Montessori materials from 1913. With each picture is an explanation of the material and how it is to be used. How wonderful it would be for current manufacturers to do the same in their catalogs!

Get your Google Books copy here.


Montessori Children by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

Carolyn Sherwin Bailey was a student of child psychology who took time to go to Italy to observe Maria Montessori and her children in action. This book is a compilation of her observations and opinions following her trip.

Get your Google Books copy here. 


The Kindergarten and the Montessori Method by Martha MacLear

Martha MacLear seeks to take the teachings of Froebel, whose kindergarten concept had only been existence for 50 years at this point, and merges them with Montessori. In some ways, we are still doing this today.


Get your Google Books copy here.


The Montessori System of Child Culture by Clara E. Craig, Rhode Island Dept. of Education

This is a review of a Montessori training course from 1913. The State Department of Education actively seeks out information to better help children in their school. At that time, Montessori was new, yet warranted further investigation. Findings are that teachers would benefit from studying the philosophy.


Get your Google Books copy here.


The Montessori Method and the American School by Florence Elizabeth Ward

Florence Elizabeth Ward was a Professor of Kindergarten Education at the Iowa State Teachers College. She is another who went to study the teachings of Maria Montessori first-hand, and experimented with the techniques with some of her own students. 

Get your Google Books copy here.


The Montessori System in Theory and Practice by Theodate Louise Smith

This is yet another American's look at the Montessori Method and how it can be implemented in the American school system.

Get your Google Books copy here.

Montessori Madmen's Google Challenge

The Montessori Madmen are dedicated to spreading the Montessori word around the globe. They particularly like to take on mammoth projects that are so easily accomplished by all of us. The latest challenge? To land on the front page of Google.


Inspired by Patty Declambre Said, MM is challenging anyone involved in Montessori to come up with their own Google logo, using only Montessori materials. The Baan Dek school (headed by Bobby George, one of the original Madmen) had already come up with their own logo and posted it on their Facebook page.


I am off of work for the rest of the week, due to an injury. But when I return on Monday, I plan on working with my kids during the week to come up with some of our own. 


Share some of your creations with us!

The Language of Money

In Montessori education, we focus on the importance of language with children. Everything has a proper name, which we teach first. That first period of the three-period lesson is the naming period. "This is an apple. This is a banana." In the second period, we look at the child retrieving the vocabulary as we ask him to point out the objects we name. "Show me banana. Show me apple." And finally in that third period, we ask the child to give us the name. "What is this?"

Beyond simple vocabulary is the manner in which we talk about concepts and ideas. Children pick up on our attitudes and learn how to mimic them. They listen to the words we use and figure out how to apply them elsewhere. The same can happen when you are talking about money. In this excerpt from Chapter 2 of Piggy Banks to Paychecks by Angie Mohr, she discusses the language of money.

The Language of Money

How we talk about money- the words, the phrases, the attitudes- is just as important as what we say about money. It’s the same with food. If you talk about food like it’s a reward for good behavior or a comfort for a stressful day, those attitudes will color what you do with food and how much you eat. The words you use about food, such as “You deserve a big bowl of ice cream”, will shape how your children view and talk about food. Just as bad food habits can be carried over from generation to generation, so can bad money habits.

Money is nothing but a facilitator of commerce. It does not have any magical properties that will make people happier, more positive, healthier, or wiser. While having enough wealth to live a fulfilling and satisfying life is a fantastic goal, it’s not the money itself that gets us there. It’s what we do with our money and how to handle it.

For the next week, listen consciously to the words you use when you talk about money every day. Do you talk about it as if it’s something that just appears and disappears outside of your control? Do you discuss how you will reward yourself with a shopping trip after a hard work week or “splurge” on an expensive dinner out? Do you talk about your retirement account with comments like, “I’m not even going to look at it- the markets are so bad right now”? The words we use define how in control we feel about money.

Remember that children are sponges. They listen to us when we think they’re doing other things. They absorb our attitudes about wealth, budgeting, and financial security. Controlling the way you talk about money is the first step in teaching your children positive financial lessons. Money is not the end goal and it is something that we can harness and control. We are not helpless in our financial journey. Everyone has the ability to take the reigns and direct our financial situation in the right direction.

Here are some money phrases that are a great start to talking about money more positively:

“Our budget gives us $100 this month to plan our entertainment.”

“Because we saved $50 on our groceries this month, we can take $25 of it and go to the amusement park.”

“The housing market is significantly down right now, but we’re not buying or selling and can ride it out just fine.”

“Let’s go through next year’s budget again and see if we can find some savings so that we can go to Mexico in the winter.”

“Mary, you did a great job managing the bake sale and it showed in the amount of money you made.”

“The car is still in good running order, so we’ll keep it for at least another year.”

“We received more back on our income tax returns than we expected. Let’s work the extra into the budget.”

“You saved up for that CD player all on your own and then researched and found a better price than you were expecting. Great job saving money!”

Note that all of these phrases denote that you are in control of your money. You know where it came from and where it’s going. You have your money on a leash, not the other way around.


Watch your thoughts for they become words.
Watch your words for they become actions.
Watch your actions for they become habits.
Watch your habits for they become your character.
Watch your character for it becomes your destiny.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

© Angie Mohr 2012

Learn more by visiting Angie Mohr's website for Piggy Banks to Paychecks.