Montessori and Me Acting our Core Principles in our Daily Lives Paul Epstein, Ph.D. All pictures and text are copyright Paul Epstein; please request permission for use.
Topics • • • • •
A Reflective Mood A Conversation for Possibility Everyday Montessori Core Principles Summary
Everyday Montessori Paul Epstein, Ph.D. October 2008
A Conversation for Possibility • Is Montessori merely a classroom/school phenomenon? • Is peace through education an ideal or do we sincerely believe we can achieve this? • Would acting our core Montessori principles in our daily lives transform the world? Everyday Montessori Paul Epstein, Ph.D. October 2008
Everyday Montessori • Where and when does “Montessori” occur? • What are some of your examples of “Montessori” occurring in your everyday life?
Everyday Montessori Paul Epstein, Ph.D. October 2008
Core Principles • Completion • Independence: Creative Choices • Coordination of Self & Relationships • Grace & Courtesy: Gratitude & Appreciation • Personal Renewal Everyday Montessori Paul Epstein, Ph.D. October 2008
Completion: The Year in Review Achievements
Reasons Why
Everyday Montessori Paul Epstein, Ph.D. October 2008
Further Progress
First Actions
Core Principles: Gratitude & Appreciation • What is gratitude?
– The ability to create and discover unlimited meaning and value in every situation and relationship in life. Dan Sullivan – Gratitude leads to creative activities; it increases value.
• What are you grateful for? • For the next 3 weeks, express your gratitude & appreciation. – To whom? – For what? Everyday Montessori Paul Epstein, Ph.D. October 2008
Core Principles: Personal Renewal • Are you committed to your own growth? • Why is this important? • What activities re-charge and re-generate you? • Would you be willing to commit to a practice of daily renewal? • What will you do today? • Tomorrow? Everyday Montessori Paul Epstein, Ph.D. October 2008
Summary Success in life depends in every case on self-confidence and the knowledge of one’s own capacity and many-sided powers of adaptation. The consciousness of knowing how to make oneself useful, fills the soul with noble confidence. The feeling of independence must be bound to the power to be self-sufficient. – Maria Montessori Everyday Montessori Paul Epstein, Ph.D. October 2008