Montessori Art and Jam

In the Montessori approach, one of the most profound concepts is the distinction between the center and the periphery of the child. This principle not only shapes the way we guide children but also reflects our deep respect for their inner development.

The child Speaks:

Dear Grown-Ups: Let Me Tell You a Secret About How I Learn 🌟

Hi there, Mom, Dad, and all the special grown-ups in my life!

I want to share something really cool with you—it’s about how I learn best. It’s a Montessori thing, and I think you’ll love it. Ready?

🎯 My Secret Place: The Center

Inside me, there’s a quiet, magical place. It’s where I feel things, imagine stories, dream big dreams, and make sense of the world. That’s called my center.

You can’t see it, and you can’t reach it—not even with tickles! 😄 But it’s always working, growing, and blooming—like a secret garden inside me.

Dr. Montessori said that this place belongs to me. And the best way to help me grow is not by digging into my garden, but by watering the soil around it.

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🌿 Where You Can Help: The Periphery

That’s where the periphery comes in. It’s everything you can see—my hands moving, my eyes watching, my feet walking, my voice asking questions.

When you give me interesting things to touch, try, carry, pour, polish, or build—that’s when I’m really learning! My brain lights up because you’re feeding my periphery. And when you do that, guess what? My secret center gets stronger, too.

🧩 What You Can Do: Be My Guide (Not My Boss 😄)

You don’t need to teach me everything. I’m actually really good at figuring things out! But I do need you to notice me. Watch what I like. See when I try something over and over. That means I’m working on something important!

You can help by:

• Giving me space and time
• Showing me new things, then letting me try
• Not fixing everything for me right away
• Letting me make little mistakes (I learn from them!)

💫 The “Point of Contact” – That Magic Moment

Have you ever seen me totally lost in my work—like when I’m building a tower or scrubbing a table with a little sponge? That moment when I’m super focused? That’s called a point of contact.

It’s like my heart, hands, and mind all say, “Yes! This is just right for me.”
And when that happens, something amazing grows inside my center.

✨ Why I’m Telling You This

Because I know you love me and want to help me learn.

But sometimes, the best way to help is to step back, observe, and trust me. Don’t worry—I’ll give you clues. You’ll see it in my eyes, my body, and my joy. I might even tell you with a proud, “Look what I did!”

So thank you for being patient.
Thank you for setting up my space just right.
Thank you for trusting my inner guide.

With your help, I’m not just learning letters and numbers.
I’m becoming me—from the inside out.

Love,
Your Montessori Child 💛