Cultivating Dharma is a wonderful Montessori resource. I like all the great ideas and free printouts. It’s a blog worth visiting every day!

I love going to Sølvi’s blog. She has lovely handwork examples of quilting, knitting and cozy Norwegian living. Makes me homesick for Norway!

Montessori wanted children to relate to real items and experiences because like a scientist, they made their assumptions from real life, not from fantasy. The first real life experiences in a Montessori classroom are found in the practical life exercises. Here are some examples.

Sometimes our own family members show us how wonderful life can be. My husband’s father was such a happy and thankful person. He made a positive impact on everyone’s life.
I was amazed by my father-in-law’s attitude despite his hardships. He was disabled from a brain injury during World War II. He was considered over 80 percent disabled. His gross motor skills were affected the most. In fact, he should not have been able to walk. In spite of this, he lived a full life, walked, and even played golf.
From the beginning of his injury as a young man to his later years, he appeared to improve even though he was more disabled according to medical testing. I noticed he always was working on a hands-on project, painting, mowing the yard and swimming.
He told me he was making his body and brain work together.

Montessori observed that a preschool child’s brain absorbs information much like a sponge. She understood young children learn by doing activities over and over within a positive environment. I have always wondered if adults retain some of this sensitivity to learn in a new way. Recent information shows that adults have a plastic like brain that can be rewired. I am always amazed how awesomely we are made.