Maria Montessori designed her philosophy and curriculum in a way that would promote the development of what she called universal human tendencies. Human tendencies are defined as, “Creative possibilities which urge the person and society towards survival, progress, and sense of fulfillment.” They are broad, and  they touch every part of the human- meeting our most basic needs physically, mentally, and spiritually. In this first part of a three part episode, we will unpack the importance of Order, Orientation, Exploration, and Observation in the development of a human being; and, what we as teachers and as parents can do to support these crucial concepts. 

In this episode, we had the pleasure of talking with Tatenda Muchiriri. Tatenda was born in Zimbabwe and discovered his love of Montessori when he moved to China. Tatenda is the Founder of Montessori on Wheels where he has taken to the streets, literally, on a mission to evangelize Montessori and bring this incredible philosophy into the community and out of the confines of the classroom. His work is inspiring and his message is crucial- you won’t want to miss this one!

Check out his website and learn more HERE!

Today we are thrilled to introduce our guest, Becky, who runs a beautifully brilliant Instagram page called Our Montessori Garden. In a short time, she imparts a massive amount of information about how and why to extend the philosophy outdoors; whether that be your back yard, a tiny balcony, or the nearest public park! This episode is packed with practical and cost-effective tips for taking Montessori outdoors. 

Find Becky's amazing Instagram account here. 

Here more about Linda Akeson McGurk's There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather here. 

Hear more about Angela Hanscom's Balanced and Barefoot here.

As a parent, one of our top priorities is keeping our children safe. The world we live in can feel very scary; and some days being a parent feels like we’re fighting an uphill battle to keep them safe for as long as we can. This week we are going to discuss something that may challenge you as a parent- letting your child take risks and get dirty! Why are these two things so important, and what can we do if it goes against every fiber of our being to embrace this kind of play? Tune in and find out!

Check out the New York Times Article on risky play building resistance HERE!

Today we meet with Gabrielle Kotkov of Multilingual Montessori and discuss how a multilingual/multicultural approach to raising children can go so well with the Montessori philosophy. Gabrielle takes the time to fill us in on the importance of exposing your children to these concepts starting at a young age, as well as dispels some of the top myths and concerns parents bring to her about raising multilingual kids. If you have been considering, or actively implementing, a multilingual/multicultural approach with your family, this episode is for you! 

Also, as promised, a link to check out the absolutely incredible MamasteFit! 

As promised, we are circling back to the topic of fantasy and imagination as it relates to the Montessori philosophy. We have been excited to discuss this, as we feel it really can be a sensitive one. There are a lot of opinions surrounding this, and some seriously deep core memories and emotions tied to fantasy characters and stories for a lot of us. So, just know before you even tune in that we sincerely believe that it is OKAY to do what works for your family! With that being said join us for a very honest discussion about what Maria had to say about fantasy and imagination! 

This week we are excited to dig deeper into lying. We discuss why our children may lie to us, and why we strive to be honest with our children. We hope that through this episode you are able to learn more about what is developmentally appropriate about lying and hear our own personal experiences as teachers and moms. Tune in to learn more about lying through the lenses of three Montessorians.

The people asked, and we have delivered! This episode is a deviation from the normal routine, as Megan sits down with her husband, Jacob, and gets the partner perspective on implementing the Montessori method at home. Megan and Jacob honestly discuss the challenges and successes along the way, and impart a little bit of advice for partners out there who may or may not be on the same page about this particular philosophy.