Obstacles to Growth and the Montessori Solution: Chapters 10-12

In this month's blog, covering chapters 10-12 of "The Secret of Childhood", we look at obstacles to growth for young children. What did Maria Montessori see as common obstacles to growth and how does a Montessori school go about addressing them? Chapter…
Council Oak Montessori

Chapters 7-9: Sensitive Periods

Chapter 7: Psychic Development It is strange sometimes to watch an infant at play. They seem fascinated by seemingly trivial things. It is easy to write these interests off, but if we would like to understand and assist their growth, it is…

Chapters 4-6: The Spiritual Embryo

Chapter 4: The Newborn Child To newborn children, all the world is strange and magnificent. They undergo the enormous task of adapting themselves to this environment. Dr. Montessori was in awe of this. She believed that newborn children must…
The Era Of The Child

Chapters 1-3: The Era of the Child

Chapter 1: The Era of the Child Maria Montessori’s book The Secret of Childhood was published in 1936. She begins by talking about “the progress made in recent years in the care and education of children.” As far back as the 1890’s,…
Beginning A Journey: Through The Montessori Method

Beginning A Journey: Through the Montessori Method

I’m Dave Power, the current marketing manager at Council Oak, but my journey with COMS didn’t start here. Way back in 1999, I arrived at the Lower Elementary classroom for my first day at Council Oak Montessori. I remember only pieces from…
Montessori Sparks Children’s Creativity And Learning

How Montessori Sparks Children's Creativity and Learning

Every education system is designed to facilitate learning. However, Montessori stands out in its pursuit of inspiration, giving children the skills and passion necessary for deep learning. Students go beyond typical memorization to develop the…
Council Oak Montessori

How Students Benefit From Maria Montessori's Teachings

Parents have many questions when it comes to Montessori schools: What makes an educational reformer from early 20th-century Italy relevant here and now? Why have Maria Montessori's teachings spread throughout the world and benefited so many…
Council Oak Montessori

Learning Empathy in the Montessori Classroom

A respect for empathy lies at the heart of the Montessori classroom. It all started more than 100 years ago in Rome with Maria Montessori's inclusive and innovative approach to education. Her principles have been developed over the history of…
Council Oak Montessori

Pre School vs. Montessori: The Best School for Your Toddler

Montessori primary education is about setting a strong foundation. It's a hands-on application of a simple idea: What students do in the pre-school and kindergarten years will set the tone for their entire academic career and beyond. We hope…