Education for Life

In Montessori classrooms, the role of the adult is to prepare, model, and guide. Preparation takes place on three levels: 1) Physical, which can be seen in the environment and through self-care. 2) Intellectual, engaging in continued education and pursuing personal interests that can inspire students to explore new ideas. 3) Spiritual by fostering patience and humility in oneself through observation of the children and self-reflection. Modeling is essential. When adults consistently demonstrate compassion, kindness, helpfulness, and care in both words and actions, children naturally absorb and reflect these qualities in their own behavior. Guiding is different from teaching. In Montessori, the materials are the teachers. The adult’s role is to connect the child with the work, offer choices, and ensure ample opportunities for practice, allowing the child to experience accomplishment and growth from within.

Physical Education In today’s world, where children are increasingly leading sedentary lifestyles, the integration of movement and sports is more important than ever. While movement is naturally embedded in Montessori education there is a growing need for a structured and comprehensive approach to physical activity. Krystalyn Perry is our Redbud Community Assistant and P.E. coach at CMS! Krystalyn has completed the Montessori Sports Fundamentals Course, an AMI-accredited training program designed to deepen understanding of how sports and movement align with Montessori education. A key part of P.E. is learning and practicing good sportsmanship. It teaches students to respect one another and to work together, recognizing that everyone has an important role in the group. Just as important is developing emotional control in situations that call for empathy, reasoning, and collaboration. Sportsmanship builds character, strengthens relationships across all skill levels, and fosters resilience that extends beyond the sports field into academics, work, and life. It also teaches fairness, integrity, and how to handle both wins and losses with grace, encouraging a healthy outlook on competition and challenges. P.E. for CMS elementary students kicked off last week with team building activities and Krystalyn has plans for soccer, kickball, fitness circuits, basketball, volleyball, archery, and more this school year!