Mindfulness and Montessori

Mindfulness, although it has ancient origins, is something that we are hearing more and more about. Mindfulness means being focused in present time and space. You are aware of what is happening in your environment, what you are doing now with your hands, your voice, your body. You are aware of things happening inside your body. When you are driving, are you lost in an endless stream of thought about what has happened in the past or what you are going to do in the future? That’s an example of how we often move through our days on autopilot, not mindfully.

Maria Montessori discovered her own route to the practice of mindfulness, and its essence is embedded in the early childhood curriculum. As a scientist and observer, Dr. Montessori realized that children are naturally present in the moment. She also saw how important this acute attention is to learning. Many of the Montessori early childhood works are designed to sharpen the children’s skills of observation and help them focus on the physical sensations of each experience, in other words to be present in the moment.  In sensorial activities, like the sound cylinders, the touch tablets, and the smelling bottles, students practice the skills of focusing and being completely present in the work. They tune into each individual tone, texture, and scent. These are the very same skills that traditional and modern mindfulness practices develop.

Montessori guides know that even chaotic, disruptive children have interests and will concentrate when they become calm, present, busy, and interested. Soon the ability to work with others and express kindness and compassion follows.

As the students move into elementary and middle school, we continue the work of mindfulness in a variety of ways.  But the core of the practice is rooted in the early Montessori lessons that students receive in the early childhood classrooms.

Mindfulness is an ancient practice that exists, in one form or another, in most cultures. It has gained renewed prominence in the world today and is a growing field of medical and psychological research. There is a growing abundance of proof of the positive effects of the practice of mindfulness, from pain management to academic success. Many insightful new curriculums are being developed to bring the work of mindfulness into classrooms around the country with beneficial results.

-- By David Christopher