“At some given moment it happens that the child becomes deeply interested in a piece of work; we see it in the expression on his face, his intense concentration, the devotion to the exercise.”
Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
Since 1981 we have been opening our doors to the community as we celebrate this season of harvest and cultural traditions. Our Festival was abundant with nourishing foods, friendship, cookie baking with the children, face painting, henna tattoos, a craft honoring Diwali, a presentation of the violin, and MUCH more!
During this four-hour event, over 70 people gathered to share, play, explore, and discover what our Montessori Playgroup community has to offer.
Each year at the beginning of summer, since 1981, the children, parents, grandparents and caregivers at my schools have designed, arranged, and planted, a Children's Garden.
This experience contains lessons in botany and the needs and care of living things, as well as experiences in problem solving and collaboration.
Ananda Montessori lives in the center of our town, and this garden is at our back entrance. All of us enjoy observing the changes in our plants, and caring for them through watering. They grow as we grow.
~ Maria Montessori
Children develop their brains as well as their bodies through movement, and in the process of concentration, self-discipline, and perseverance with an active interest, the foundations of character are laid.
Watch this video, which you can enlarge, and see infants in the Adult-Infant community at Ananda, at home, outdoors, experiencing life. This is Montessori, which is not limited to any boundaries, but is experiential.
This meeting at the easel during Adult and Toddler class is textured with layers of experiences between and within the children.
Singing and Signing