Abstract/Notes: Louise Chawla's autobiographical beginning of this article shows the integration of her world-famous science of the environment and its relationship to early and middle childhood development as it finds its roots in Montessori education. Her academic training brought her to Edith Cobb's writing and unveiled the origins of kinship to the natural world in the developing young human. Her own exploration of nature and culture caused her to return to Montessori writings with a fresh understanding of the natural world as a prepared environment. Louise Chawla stresses that children must frequently encounter "the natural world with empathy and delight" and the prepared environment supports them as they become creative citizens of humanity. [This paper was prepared for the NAMTA Conference titled "Deschooling Montessori" January 25, 2002, in Scottsdale, AZ. Reprinted from "The NAMTA Journal" 27.3 (2002, Summer): 131-148 (see EJ661570).]

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: This article explores Montessori’s concept of the Prepared Environment, which includes adult leadership, as an important contribution to the field of Children’s Spirituality. Montessori elevated the spiritual development of children to a central place in social life. She advocated preparation of the teacher as a community leader who works through the environment to guide a pedagogically-oriented process that underpins spiritual development. This model of leadership offers the child a reciprocal relationship with the Prepared Environment, which operates as the child’s true teacher. The preparation of the adult, as an element of the Prepared Environment, has a spiritual tone and is a key aspect of Montessori science and philosophy, designed to support the holistic development of the child as both a hope and a promise for human beings.

Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/1364436X.2019.1685949

ISSN: 1364-436X

Abstract/Notes: Cheryl Ferreira vigorously pursues the Montessori principles that are implicit for preparing a classroom where "children find all that is needed to work at self-formation and to maximize their inner potential." The Montessori philosophy is precisely conveyed as Cheryl Ferreira details the specific elements and principles, both physical and social, that make a powerful prepared environment. [This talk was presented at the NAMTA conference titled "The Montessori Oasis: Prepared Pathways for a Sustainable School Community," Columbia, MD, October 3-6, 2013.]

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Asserts that adults are not only responsible for preparing the Montessori environment, but more importantly constitute a living environment in and of themselves. Urges Montessori teachers to be an effective link between the child and the environment by manifesting a genuine interest in each developing child and creating a psychological atmosphere of enthusiasm, discovery, and love. (EV)

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Abstract/Notes: Considers 3- to 6-year-olds' work cycle, looking first to the Montessori concept of normalization, manifest as increasing depth of concentration. Offers guidelines for a "protected lesson," designed to foster independence. Discusses interest and purpose as the basis for work, work "curves," control of error, presentation dynamics, and design of the prepared environment as they relate to the directress' role in linking children to true work. (Author/KB)

Language: English

ISSN: 1522-9734

Abstract/Notes: Recognizing the inherent attention in examining how educational practices affect our future, there is little known about society's demands related to early childhood education. This paper aims to analyze the current preschool enrolment situation in the Euro-Western world and the demands of society, focusing attention on the characteristics needed in the prepared environment and in teacher training practices that inclusive education offers. Different socio-cultural theories have been analyzed, and practices regarding human development have been presented as they guarantee an integral development of the child, one which respects infant developmental stages and offers the right scaffolding and environment to stimulate a child's interest and potential. All these aspects are claimed in society, and are reflected in the Montessori Pedagogy principles, where thanks to the observation and knowledge regarding children's needs, educators can prepare stimulating environments that lead to personal formative development.

Language: English

DOI: 10.46328/ijres.1272

ISSN: 2148-9955

Language: English

ISSN: 0571-1142

Abstract/Notes: Elisabeth Coe, in Montessori in Contemporary American Culture Montessori offers us the concept of the "prepared environment," embedded in the four planes of development.In this issue, the reader is urged to consider the nature of "environment" when reading a father's reflections on the effects of parental choices on children's behavior (page 66), one teacher's ruminations on his experiences in a public Montessori school (page 30), another teacher's thoughts on the challenges and possibilities of the third plane (page 46), and also an examination of the development of self-knowledge through involvements in the world of the senses (page 42).

Language: English

ISSN: 1054-0040

Language: English