AMI Podcasts

AMI Talks: Montessori and Music as Healing Instruments for Children with Trauma Oct 17, 2024

In this episode we will first hear from AMI trainer Liza Davis, who in her 6 August contribution to Voices of AMI Training, discussed the science of how trauma's impact on brain development can be mitigated by supportive environments. Her presentation is followed by Susan Shea who will speak on the healing power of music when working with children with trauma.

You can learn more about the speakers of this AMI Talk by visiting the link here.

EsF Stories with Carolina Cerezuela Aug 01, 2024

This EsF stories episode is about taking initiative, integrating into a community, and creating sustainable change in the community. Born in Spain, today’s guest has made a long, interesting, and circuitous journey to Mexico, where she currently lives. Her local community has benefited from her experience, her insight, and her boundless energy to develop a meaningful educational program, from early childhood through adolescence.

After traveling around the world, from India to Guatemala to refugee camps in Nigeria, Carolina had a vision. With the help of the community and local sources, she was able to build a Montessori center in 2015 in Oaxaca, Mexico, and create most of the 3-6 materials. She was able to be connected to EsF and to an AMI-trained guide. Two years ago, she started an adolescent program. Listen to this episode to learn more about Carolina’s work and how she got there!

🌐 EsF Website: https://montessori-esf.org/

AMI Talks: Cross Pollinating Peace Jan 23, 2024

In this episode, our president Alain Tschudin, professor of Peace Studies and Takako Fukatsu, Montessori advocate in Japa tap into their varied and wide experience in a Montessori concept embedded in all our work and values: the preparation and transfer of peace.

You can learn more about the speakers of this AMI Talk by visiting the link here.

AMI Talks: The Importance of Movement Nov 20, 2023

Welcome to the latest episode of the AMI Talks! On November 15th, we hosted an insightful talk exploring the topic of The Importance of Movement. Our lineup of speakers was dynamic, and we began with the globally renowned Professor Adele Diamond, who is a pioneer in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience. In her presentation, she discussed the profound significance of music, dance, and movement. After Professor Diamond's talk, we had the privilege of hearing from Ruben Jongkind and Patrick Oudejans, the two visionaries behind Montessori Sports. They shared their perspective on how "Sport is a key to educating human potential."

You can learn more about the speakers of this AMI Talk by visiting the link here.

AMI Talks Episode 10: Parent Engagement Sep 14, 2023

On 31 August 2023, AMI held an enlightening AMI Talk featuring three exceptional speakers who discussed the importance of parent engagement. Hear from Eduardo Cuevas, Francescah Kipsoi and Lilian Wairimu Mwaura who generously shared their stories and expertise in this field.

Parents play a crucial role in shaping their child's educational journey, and when equipped with deeper Montessori knowledge, children can reap the benefit of closer and more joyful collaboration between home and school. You will love hearing about experiences from various backgrounds and cultures.

EsF Stories: Monique and Felista Apr 04, 2023

In this episode of EsF stories Monique Bekker and Felista Urassa tell the story of the Kilakala Montessori classroom for deaf children in Morogoro, Tanzania. Monique and Felista have been working together to support deaf children for over 20 years and they share their experiences and their thoughts on why Montessori education is a natural fit for deaf children. They also reflect on the evolution of the initiative and the impact it has had on the children, their families, and the broader community.

Felista joined the conversation from Tanzania. Her internet connection was a little unstable at times, but we were so grateful she was able to join the conversation and share her inspiring story. If you have any questions or if you would like to get in touch with Monique and Felista, please send us an email at info@montessori-esf.org.

AMI Talks Episode 9: Desired childhoods, adverse childhoods and the future of early childhood education Mar 20, 2023

To celebrate International Women’s Day we hosted an AMI Talk with Professor Noah Sobe and Beverley Maragh, lecturer at the Maria Montessori Institute, London. Noah Sobe’s presentation explored whether the concept of childhood has its historical lifespan and traced ways that childhood changed across the 20th and 21st centuries. Beverley featured on an amazing initiative that was created in collaboration with the Born Inside project, aimed at benefiting mothers, babies, and pregnant women in one of the biggest prisons for women in Britain.

Noah Sobe’s presentation explored whether the concept of childhood has its own historical lifespan. It began with an examination of how a proper, protected, healthy childhood was understood at the time of Montessori's first work in education, and then traced ways that childhood changed across the 20th and 21st centuries. The talk concluded with an evaluation of historical arguments that we have reached an "end" to childhood and what this might mean for early childhood education.

Beverley Maragh presented an amazing initiative that was created in collaboration with the Born Inside project, aimed at benefiting mothers, babies, and pregnant women in one of the biggest prisons for women in Britain. Her story is testimony to the great commitment and dedication to give infants and babies a “head-start” in circumstances where love and care can be scarce commodities. Beverley sketched how the initiative developed, also having to battle against institutional prejudices, and the disruption caused by Covid. The Born Inside initiative has been replicated in Mexico, where recently a mother and baby unit opened in a penal institution.

We were happy to host such an interesting presentation which highlighted the importance of childhood, education and children’s and women’s interaction with society, its structures, challenges, and opportunities.

AMI Talks Episode 8: The Global Path of Montessori Jan 16, 2023

On January 6, the day that marks the opening of the first Casa dei Bambini in San Lorenzo, Rome, we hosted an AMI Talk with Victoria Johnson, Agnese Fontanaand Rosario di Girolamo. The speakers shared their experiences around the theme of the Global Path of Montessori.

Victoria Johnson, PhD in Global Family, Health and Wellbeing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, gave a fascinating overview of her research into the introduction of Montessori in communities, and how Montessori’s unique capability of taking on a diverse hue underscored its universality.

Agnese Fontana, producer and author, and Rosario di Girolamo, cross-media creative director of MontessoriRoad delighted the audience by showing this spread across cultures, sharing highlights from their filming of Montessori children at work in different countries.

AMI Talks Episode 7: The Educational Value of Silence Nov 01, 2022

Our AMI Talk of 19 October with Uma Ramani and Pieter Verstraete focused on the theme of silence and highlighted how silence in education can be both an instrument and an outcome of the practice of education as an aid to life.

Uma is an AMI Trainer, and currently Director of Training (3-6) at the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT), Dallas, Texas. Uma is deeply interested in the study of Maria Montessori’s writings and enjoys exploring the continued relevance of Montessori philosophy and practice in the modern-day context.

Pieter is a professor of history of education at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Louvain in Belgium. In his most recent book Silence in the Classroom, he explores the history of western pedagogical approaches to silence in schools (Leuven University Press).

EsF Stories: Mayumi Saito Oct 11, 2022

This podcast is about innovation, commitment, and resilience. It features people who found different ways to apply Montessori principles and started initiatives to serve communities in different parts of the world. They share their stories on what inspired and motivated them, and how their ideas came to realisation.

In this new episode of EsF stories, we have a conversation with Mayumi Saito. We got to know Mayumi during the Voices of EsF programme in 2021. As part of the programme, she conducted focused conversations with children between the ages of 6 and 12 about their life; the things that are important to them, the challenges they face, and the changes they would like to make. In our conversation, Mayumi shares how she got involved in Montessori through parenthood, in a search for the best way to support the development of her children. Her commitment to Montessori and child development eventually led to the establishment of a Montessori children’s club, where children can meet, work, and learn through Montessori principles.

If you have any questions or want to get in touch with Mayumi, please email us at info@montessori-esf.org.

AMI Talks Episode 6: Digging Deep: Connecting to Nature for a Healthy Society Sep 13, 2022

The AMI Talk of 31 August 2022 with Nicolina Montesano Montessori and Yoliswa Mahobe focused on the laws of life and the role of nature in humankind’s true well-being. Nicolina Montesano Montessori, a researcher with a background in discourse analysis, reflects on the importance of connecting to nature. With her special interest in eco-literacy and social justice, she also uncovers some of the “policy speak” of leaders when referring to the protection of nature.

Yoliswa Mahobe is attached to the Sustainability Institute, Stellenbosch, S.A. where she is the training coordinator for the Living Soils Community Learning Farm; here she supports community engagement work around food security. She also facilitates experiential garden lessons with the Lynedoch Small School, Lynedoch Children’s House and Youth programme.

AMI Talks Episode 5: Life Skills and Learning in Communities Jun 24, 2022

The AMI Talk of 19 May 2022 zoomed in on how children acquire life skills in Indigenous communities in the Americas, and particularly Mexico. Dr Barbara Rogoff shared some of her pioneering research work and Carolina Cerezuela spoke of a Montessori outreach initiative in Oaxaca.

AMI Talks Episode 4: Life Skills and Learning in Communities Jun 22, 2022

The AMI Talk of 19 May 2022 zoomed in on how children acquire life skills in Indigenous communities in the Americas, and particularly Mexico. Dr Barbara Rogoff shared some of her pioneering research work and Carolina Cerezuela spoke of a Montessori outreach initiative in Oaxaca.

EsF Stories: Bambini in Emergenza Nov 17, 2021

Listen to the latest episode of our EsF Stories series to find out more about Bambini in Emergenza, a non-profit foundation that operates in Romania to aid abandoned children from HIV/AIDS positive mothers. Our guests in this episode are Annamaria Minardi, project manager at Bambini in Emergenza, and Mariana Uliță, a 3-6 AMI trainer and the president of the Montessori Institute of Bucharest. Together, they tell the story of Bambini in Emergenza, Montessori in Romania and the close collaboration between Bambini in Emergenza and the Montessori Institute of Bucharest. Listen here to learn more about Annamaria and Mariana's wonderful collaboration.

EsF Stories: Luming and Lora Woellhaf Sep 30, 2021

Educateurs Sans Frontières recently spoke with mother and daughter Luming and Lora Woellhaf, to learn more about their work in the Philippines and their foundation Mithing Pangarap. Their initiative is two-fold, and combines a thriving private Montessori school in Metro Manila with an outreach Montessori program that nurtures the educational and holistic development of children from the underserved community at Smokey mountain, a former dumpsite in Tondo, Manila.

AMI Talks Episode 3: The Art of Storytelling with Carla Foster and Gabrielle Ahuli'i Ferreira Holt Sep 15, 2021

Stories are everywhere — when we talk of history, science, mathematics, and inventions, we do not only speak of facts, we also speak of wonder and speaking to the power of the mind. We used to be great storytellers: it was a way to pass on the history of our families, the animals, villages and our land.

In today’s world, we have often outsourced our memories to written text. And here is a fascinating dilemma: we must not forget how to tell stories, and yet the written word has also given us the possibility to preserve and share our stories with people from the other side of the planet.

On 31 August 2021, AMI trainer Carla Foster shared with us The Art of Storytelling - how important it is for the elementary child, and how to perfect this art in our teachers. She was joined by Gabrielle Ahuli'i Ferreira Holt who spoke about the importance of exposure to stories and legends of cultural significance in early childhood, helping children engage deeply with their culture and also creating more meaningful connections across cultures.

EsF Stories: Hillary Korir Jun 03, 2021

Listen to the first EsF Story by Hillary Korir, who will talk about his work supporting Montessori education in Kenya. Hillary is the former Executive director of Montessori for Kenya, and has been involved in Corner of Hope from the starting point in 2010. He has now taken up a new responsibility at the Kenyan government, but will stay closely involved with Montessori for Kenya, to contribute to the growth of Montessori education, especially for those with limited resources,and to share all the experience and wisdom he has gathered over time.

AMI Talks Episode 2: Women's Rights Discussion with Silvia C. Dubovoy and Ama van Dantzig Apr 20, 2021

On 8 March 2021, we held our second AMI Talk during which Silvia C. Dubovoy and Ama van Dantzig shared insights on equality and equity gained from their professional lives. Silvia shared an overview of the social movements and historical context that shape Montessori's particular brand of idealism. Silvia explored her ideas about the education of young girls and the link between the wellbeing of mother and child in the context of what we now know as Montessori theory and practice. In her daily life, Ama works with game-changers, pioneers and visionaries to create a brave new world. She strives to develop and support the ideas and interventions that unleash much needed societal shifts. Ama shared her passion for helping people find ingenious solutions for the challenges of our time. She also focused on the relevance of uniting people and communities in order to help leaders to take the steps to confront such challenges.

AMI Talks Episode 1: Montessori: Champion of the Rights of Children with Erica Moretti Feb 15, 2021

On 6 January 2021 we held a unique online session which focused on the social mission of Montessori. This was the first of a series hosted by AMI's Educateurs sans Frontières (EsF), where we reflected on the legacy of Maria Montessori and explored the application of Montessori principles in today's world. We discussed the roots of Maria Montessori as an advocate for children and looked at how Montessori principles and practice can offer a pathway to addressing some of the current global challenges.

About the speaker: Erica Moretti is assistant professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology-SUNY. She received a Ph.D. in Italian Studies from Brown University and a diploma in American Studies from Smith College. Her research interests include modern Italian intellectual and social history, biopolitics, gender studies, modern and contemporary Italian literature, and Italian colonialism. Her book the Best Weapon for Peace: Maria Montessori, Education, and Children's Rights is forthcoming with the University of Wisconsin Press.

Corner of Hope: The Future Feb 02, 2021

In part three of the Corner of Hope Podcast series, the speakers reflect back on the learnings they gained along the way. They will discuss the offshoots that have been inspired by Corner of Hope and share their dreams and plans for the future of Corner of Hope and Montessori education in Kenya.

This episode's speakers:

Lynne Lawrence (Executive director AMI)
Francis Chege Waweru (Elementary teacher Corner of Hope)
Lillian Wairimu Mwaura (Mentor teacher and deputy school head)
Milcah Jerotich (Mentor teacher and school head Corner of Hope)
Hillary Korir (CEO Montessori for Kenya)
Stephan Mwangi (former student Corner of Hope)
Lyvian Cheruto (former student Corner of Hope)

The Convention on the Rights of the Child Podcasts, Episode 3: Children’s Rights in a Nutshell With Jessica Valentine Feb 02, 2021

Jessica Valentine is a researcher at the Department of Child Law at Leiden University. She has extensive experience as a Children’s Rights Lawyer in Australia and she graduated with honours from a master’s in Advanced Studies of International Children’s Rights and the Law. In this presentation, she gives a brief introduction to children’s rights. She talks about the history of children’s rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter. She explains how children’s rights work in practice and elaborates on the complexity of children’s rights. This presentation was given to the teachers of the Corner of Hope Montessori school on 3 December 2020.

Corner of Hope: The Community Jan 27, 2021

In the podcast created in celebration of the 10 year anniversary of Corner of Hope, different people involved look back on those past 10 years. Teachers, mentors, community members, AMI Executive Director Lynne Lawrence and the CEO of Montessori for Kenya, Hillary Korir, share their stories, experiences and reflections. The podcast tells the story of Corner of Hope from the very beginning through the voices of the people involved. It explains how Corner of Hope came into being and discusses the learnings along the way, as well as the plans for the future. It is an intimate podcast that reflects the various experiences and perspectives which are all part of the inspiring story of Corner of Hope.

The podcast is divided into three parts:
• part one - the beginning of Corner of Hope;
• part two - the development of Corner of Hope, the involvement of the New Canaan community, and the impact Corner of Hope has had;
• part three - a reflection of the speakers on their learnings through their involvement in Corner of Hope in which they also share their hopes and their plans for the future.

The second episode of the Corner of Hope podcast will focus on the involvement of the New Canaan community and the development of the school throughout the years. AMI Executive Director Lynne Lawrence and Montessori for Kenya’s CEO Hillary Korir will elaborate on the way the community has been involved from the very beginning and the importance of community involvement in setting up initiatives. CoH teachers, mentors and members of the New Canaan community will share how they have experienced the process of establishing the Corner of Hope school and the impact it has had on them.

This episode's speakers:

Lynne Lawrence (Executive director AMI)
Hillary Korir (CEO Montessori for Kenya)
Ann Mumbua Mweu (Mentor teacher)
Beth Kosgei (Mentor teacher)
Lillian Wairimu Mwaura (Mentor teacher and deputy school head)
Joseph Kuria (Community member New Canaan and member of the construction team)
Francis Chege Waweru (Elementary teacher Corner of Hope)
Charles Njoroge Mwangi (parent of one of the Corner of Hope students)

Corner of Hope: The Beginning Jan 19, 2021

In the podcast created in celebration of the 10 year anniversary of Corner of Hope, different people involved look back on those past 10 years. Teachers, mentors, community members, AMI Executive Director Lynne Lawrence and the CEO of Montessori for Kenya, Hillary Korir, share their stories, experiences and reflections. The podcast tells the story of Corner of Hope from the very beginning through the voices of the people involved. It explains how Corner of Hope came into being and discusses the learnings along the way, as well as the plans for the future. It is an intimate podcast that reflects the various experiences and perspectives which are all part of the inspiring story of Corner of Hope. The podcast is divided into three parts:

• part one - the beginning of Corner of Hope;

• part two - the development of Corner of Hope, the involvement of the New Canaan community, and the impact Corner of Hope has had;

• part three - a reflection of the speakers on their learnings through their involvement in Corner of Hope in which they also share their hopes and their plans for the future.

This episode's speakers:

Lynne Lawrence (Executive director AMI)
Hellen Bwari Oyugi (Pioneer teacher Corner of Hope)
Jane Wambui (Pioneer teacher Corner of Hope)
Hillary Korir (CEO Montessori for Kenya)
Milcah Jerotich (Mentor teacher and school head Corner of Hope)
Ann Mumbua Mweu (Mentor teacher)
Beth Kosgei (Mentor teacher)

The Convention on the Rights of the Child Podcasts, Episode 2: Parenting and community engagement in times of Covid-19: The Montessori Approach Oct 07, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented stress to families, trying to maintain a work-family balance. With schools and day care facilities closed, parents are solely responsible for childcare and perhaps even homeschooling. The work-family balance has become increasingly challenging and uncertainty remains around when schools will reopen. To meet the social and emotional needs of children, as well as the adults who care for them, there is need to orient ourselves to the new situation – and the sooner we accept this the faster we will be able to live a balanced life as children are looking up to us. We need to cater for the needs of children, while coexisting with the other members of the family. Montessori principles provide a good guidance on the ways to support children and lead a happy family life during these difficult times.

Montessori for Kenya organised an online talk to orient the general public on the best ways to support children and other members of the family at home to live a happy life. Guest speaker Helen Mohan Elias has vast experience in introducing Montessori principles into missionary and government schools in India and will share her knowledge on Parenting and Community engagement during these challenging times.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen

From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

The Convention on the Rights of the Child Podcasts, Episode 1: The Child as Actor: Fostering Freedom, Respect and Solidarity Sep 21, 2020

AMI Global Ambassador André Roberfroid discusses children’s rights and how they are ingrained in the work of Montessori teachers. He discusses the three core characteristics of Montessori, namely Freedom, Respect and Solidarity and how these are linked to the rights of the child.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen

From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

150 Podcast Specials, Episode 1: Year 1936 Jan 21, 2020

In this series of podcasts, you will be able to listen to Maria Montessori herself. In the first episode, Maria Montessori is advocating for the Rights of the Child on Dutch radio in an interview with Gustav Czopp on 31 October 1936 (in French).

In the early autumn of 1936 Maria Montessori relocated to the Netherlands at the invitation of a former graduate, Ada Pierson. This impactful decision was forced by the Civil War that raged in Spain, a country that had been her main residence for close to twenty years. Montessori did not feel comfortable returning to Barcelona, after the 1936 Congress in Oxford and was delighted when Ada Pierson's offer came to host the family in her parental home for a few months. Montessori education was popular in the Netherlands, the school infrastructure was strong and well developed, there had been an international congress and various courses, all factors we suspect to have been major aspects in reaching the decision to settle in the Netherlands.

The Dutch were of course proud and grateful that Maria Montessori was now part of their society, and yet may have been a little anxious that la Dotoressa would find fault with the Dutch schools. This is why Maria Montessori immediately made it clear in the interview that she had not come to the Netherlands to supervise or monitor existing Montessori schools, but that she was keen to show what her approach to education could mean.

Maria Montessori House Talks Podcasts: 2. Montessori, movement and executive functioning Nov 25, 2019

"Our children are growing up in a world that requires good executive function, if they are to exercise self-control, think creatively and adjust flexibly to change. Research tells us that these are the very skills that are promoted in a Montessori environment."

Drawing on current research, including her own, Louise will talk about the role of movement in developing executive function, reflecting on how Montessori practitioners might hone their approach to helping children gain good control of the way they move their bodies to interact successfully with their environment.

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Louise is an AMI trainer with many years of experience working with children in Montessori environments and is currently director of training at the Maria Montessori Institute, London.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen

From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

2019 AMI AGM Podcasts: 3. Crossway Community, using Montessori for intergenerational learning Jul 05, 2019

In the third episode of 2019 AMI AGM Podcasts, Kathleen Guinan, a visionary leader and social entrepreneur, will talk about transforming transitional housing programmes, homeless shelters and domestic violence centres into intergenerational Montessori communities of living and learning for children, families and communities.

As CEO of Crossway Community, since the organisation’s inception in 1990, she has been a catalyst for individual and social change for women, children and families. Today, Crossway Community provides complete wrap-around support to multiple generations to prevent poverty and help families thrive. They are also developing a model intergenerational program to train family and professionals caring for aging populations.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen
From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

Maria Montessori House Talks Podcasts: 1. From the Advanced Method to Cosmic Education Jul 03, 2019

Cosmic Education is one of the broadest and most interesting aspects of the second plane of development. Baiba’s Krumins Grazzini talk illustrates the evolution of the Montessori approach to education for
children from 6 - 12 years of age. Baiba also discusses how the young person progresses into
adolescence.
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Baiba Krumins Grazzini is an AMI Trainer at the Elementary level, preparing students to work in Montessori schools with children from 6 to 12 years. She works as director of training at the AMI Elementary course in Bergamo, Italy, an AMI Training Centre which was founded by Mario Montessori in 1961. In addition to her work in Bergamo, Baiba has lectured in Spain, Ireland, India and in Japan, where she gave the first Elementary training course in that country.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen
From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

2019 AMI AGM Podcasts: 2. Meaningful Engagement with Older Adults Jun 13, 2019

Anne Kelly is the leading Montessori Dementia Consultant who has worked extensively in dementia care both residential and community for the past 30 years. She is currently the Director of Montessori Consulting and is considered a world leader in Montessori methods for ageing and dementia. Anne works with organisations around the world providing both training, mentoring and support as they move towards the development of Montessori Prepared Environments, changing the face of aged care one step at a time. In this episode of the 2019 AMI AGM Podcasts Anne talks about improvements in the quality of life of older adults with dementia in long-term care achieved through meaningful engagement.

2019 AMI AGM Podcasts: 1. What is resilience? Jun 13, 2019

What does resilience really mean and why is this topic so important for modern education? In our first episode of 2019 AMI AGM Podcasts, Laura Shaw discusses the resilience research and examines how the qualities of responsibility and resourcefulness contribute to developing resilience in children.

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 10. Unlocking the Human Potential Aug 10, 2018

In the last Episode of the EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts, Professor Shadrick Mazaza speaks about transformation, authenticity and human potential. He gives his ideas on the ways to harmonize the development and integration of the African continent and on the challenges that Africa faces nowadays. Shadrick describes three types of transformation: personal transformation, inter-personal transformation and socio-economic transformation. He explains that in order to understand the human, one needs to understand their own set of values which is unique to every person, bearing in mind that our values dictate what we see and how we react to situations. These values are dynamic and are always evolving. This episode features a beautiful bonus song presented by Catherine Kennedy. We hope that you have enjoyed the series of the EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts. This series will soon be published on our website so that you can always have access to your favourite episodes. Stay tuned and learn more about the EsF Assembly 2019! Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 9. Montessori Architectural Patterns Aug 09, 2018

In the 9th Episode of the EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts, Benjamin Stähli from Switzerland presents the Montessori Architectural Patterns in the design of educational spaces. He describes the historical background of Montessori Architecture and defines the concept of “Montessori Patterns”. Benjamin speaks about the paradigmatic differences leading to the fundamentally different architectural forms of the educational environment and explains how the “Montessori Patterns” project sets out to explain these differences with the purpose of aiding those who are interested in the design process of Montessori schools.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 8. A Promise for The Future Aug 08, 2018

In the 8th Episode of the EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts Jess Schulschenk, Director of the Sustainability Institute, introduces us to the Lynedoch Eco-village concept. It was established in 1999 to set up a community for indigent farmworkers in the area of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Lynedoch Eco-village has partnered with Indaba Montessori Institute to provide quality training for teachers and a holistic environment for the youngest children. It is a place where everyone becomes connected through work and care for the community. In conclusion, Jess explains how the wetland works and how solar energy has become part of the housing in Lynedoch. The presentation is followed by a vivid discussion with the assembly participants.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 7. The Child in The Family Aug 07, 2018

In the 7th Episode of the EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts, Stan Ferguson, Lumin Education Family Therapist, speaks about the place of the child in the family. He describes the work that the Lumin Bachman Lake Community School currently does as regards the development of the child. The school understands the urgency of education and awareness within the first years of life this is why parents are encouraged to enter a collaborative relationship with the school in raising the children in a challenged community: challenges facing this community are poverty, lack of documentation for migrants in the community and the real concern of being deported and the uncertainties of the repercussions that this may have on children and families. This involvement has proven to have a positive effect on the support, investment and involvement that parents have with the school. The Early for Us program focuses on parent knowledge, training and weekly home visits for around 90 minutes with the trained adult and parents. Stan believes that by listening to someone’s story, we take on part of their story. By listening in earnest to the migrant families that Stan has worked with, he continues to strive to offer the best support and help to parents and teachers, enabling parents to be teachers for their children during the first years.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

"Dance with me" Chloe Hall

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 6. Language as the Foundation of Community Aug 06, 2018

In the 6th Episode of the EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts, Mignon Hardie speaks about Language as the Foundation of Community. She presents the concept of stories that have the power to change lives, combating the high rate of illiteracy in South Africa. FUNDZA, a South African nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy among teens and young adults, aims to provide the foundation for a healthy, stable, growth-oriented society – of which literacy is the cornerstone. Mignon brings up the possibilities of reaching people through cellphone literature, promoting language learning and encouraging writing for expression.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 5. Not Just Some of The Children - All The Children Aug 05, 2018

In our fifth episode of the EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts, neuroscientist Dr Adele Diamond shares her research on the link between creativity and brain development. She introduces the El Sistema music initiative aimed at uniting the community and helping children by means of music. Children who struggle academically get more motivated and active while playing an instrument. This observation underlies The Recycled Orchestra concept, where children play musical instruments made from scrap materials. Adele also speaks about the Youth Circus where children are expressing themselves regardless of their age, gender, body type, race, experience or skill through the art of circus. Another initiative, Quat Props centres around juggling that is accessible to all. Moving the art of juggling from a vertical plane to a horizontal plane allows anyone to experience juggling which has many benefits overall, specifically when building neurological pathways. In conclusion, Adele puts a finishing touch to her brilliant speech by discussing ways to strengthen and exercise the executive functions of inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility and enumerates the factors that have negative effects on executive functions.

This already musical episode features a beautiful bonus song presented by the amazing Kuyasa Kids from Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 4. Language as the Foundation of Community Aug 04, 2018

The mother tongue is the language of our heart❤️ In the 4th episode of EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts “Language as Foundation of Community”, Susan Nyaga from Kenya speaks about the importance of Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education. She defines the mother tongue as the language through which a child first learns to express himself as well as the language through which a person perceives the world around him. Nowadays, only 62% of the population has access to education in their mother tongue. The African languages are officially recognized in very few countries on the African continent. Considering that the child learns best when taught in his mother tongue, more needs to be done to facilitate education through the means of the mother tongue in the school environment to ensure more efficient learning, better communication and, eventually, a happier childhood. This episode features a beautiful bonus song presented by Kuyasa Kids from Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 3. May You Live Every Day of Your Life Aug 03, 2018

How can we support people with Dementia by honouring their strengths, interests, and abilities? In our third episode of EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts “May You Live Every Day of Your Life”, Anne Kelly, Montessori Dementia Consultant, speaks about Maria Montessori’s philosophy as a perfect mission statement for aged care. She explains that thinking in challenges and obstacles does not work and that solutions need to be found in order to ensure quality of life for those living with dementia. Providing the elderly with order, choice, music, and activities that make them feel like valued members of society, leads to notable changes in their quality of life. The implementation of Montessori principles for the elderly and people with Dementia, has had a significant impact on relationships between carers, residents, and family. In conclusion, Anne speaks about what it means to honour and respect our elders, not only throughout their time on earth but also how they depart from life. We need to honour those who have gone before us for who they were and what their contribution to humanity is. This episode features a beautiful bonus song presented by Kuyasa Kids from Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 2. Building Community Aug 02, 2018

In our second episode of EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts “Building Community”, co-founder of the Lynedoch Ecovillage and Sustainability Institute Eve Annecke shares her journey to Lynedoch. Eve believes that we do not choose our place in the world, rather, we are chosen by a place, and turning our back on the place that we have been chosen by is turning our back on our soul. She accentuates the importance of connecting through speaking to one another, in a world where we tend to communicate via impersonal mediums which remove the personal human connection. Our experiences need to be taken seriously and each experience comes with validity. Eve speaks about the essence of being able to be in a place of stillness, where one can reflect on our elders, our dreams and perhaps draw the answers to bring about great change through the timelessness of being still. There is a need to create and honour stories of our time and place, focusing on the rhythm of spoken language and embracing our voices. What does it mean to be human? A question for all to give meditative thought to. This episode features two bonus tracks by Drum Café and our colleagues Sr Dorosella, Jovitha, Beth, Rose, Terry, Loise and Hillary uncovering passionate rhythms and serene melodies of Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

BY NC SA

EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts: 1. A Sense of Place Aug 01, 2018

In this very special, first episode of EsF Assembly 2018 Podcasts “A Sense of Place” we will listen to South African Montessori pioneers Naledi Mabeba & Bukelwa Selema who share impressions about their work and life in South Africa.

Naledi speaks about the difficulties that she faced when first working with the children in the Western Cape and how to work towards building understanding and be accepting of others and embracing their differences. She encourages adults to think out of the box top explore ways to reach these children and to support them to reach their potential.

Bukelwa, in her turn, shares her story of personal evolution: having spent childhood in a rural area during the years of Apartheid she foregrounds the negative influence of Bantu education on people of South Africa and future generations of teachers, in particular. Therefore, she believes that nowadays the biggest challenge of all is finding the right person for the environment. She stresses out that all South Africans regardless of culture or race are in a perpetual state of post-traumatic stress from the effects of apartheid. Only once the wounds of the past have begun to heal, change can take place. Bukelwa is adamant that this healing and change can begin by through Montessori education, through creating awareness and making Montessori education accessible to all.

Music:

"Raro Bueno" by Chuzausen From the Free Music Archive

"Dance with me" Chloe Hall

BY NC SA

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