If you are new to Montessori this course is for you. In just two weeks you will gain an understanding of the Montessori philosophy, the Montessori environment, the four avenues and what it means to follow the child.

This course focuses on you – and what Maria Montessori called the spiritual preparation of the teacher. We go in depth into the transformation of the adult that may be yours as you participate in the internal changes you see, both in yourself and in the children you are privileged to work with. We offer in this unit practical means to unfold the process of normalization within the child, when through concentration on appropriate work in the environment, children calm down and seem to find their own center. Montessori wrote about the spirit of the child and an amazing comparison between the life of Christ and the life of the child. We will review these teaching and focus on how you can use the information and activities provided in these courses.

The sensitive periods comprise one of several basic principles on which Montessori early childhood education is founded. Montessori wrote about these intense interests as sensitive periods. We might say that the sensitive periods furnish energy for the child to explore specific areas of the environment and to master certain skills at precise time periods. Montessori said: “It is this sensibility which enables a child to come into contact with the external world in a particularly intense manner. At such a time everything is easy; all is life and enthusiasm. Every effort marks an increase in power.”

Those of you familiar with the work of Dr. Maria Montessori already know that the prepared environment is one crucial factor of successful work with children. When it comes to the work of the spirit, there are special needs and activities we can provide. We will discuss in articles, videos and forums, how to create a spiritual environment in the home or in the classroom, meditation and yoga, and labyrinths for children. We have a special video of songs for the spirit that come from the collection of longtime Montessorian, Dr. Elisabeth Caspari. You will learn about the work of Dr. Sofia Cavalletti on the parable method, and you will see videos with complete written instructions on how to present the Biblical parable of the Good Shepherd and the stories of the life of Christ with concrete materials. The format of the lessons could easily be adapted to the life of other great teachers.