Education for Life

Welcome back to the Spring Semester and to 2026! We are looking forward to our time with the children and all their families! Let's talk about obedience. Dr. Montessori studied how children develop self-control and described this process as stages of obedience. Obedience is often thought of as children following rules set by parents or teachers in order to earn rewards or avoid consequences. Self-control, however, comes from within, it is a child’s internal motivation to do the right thing and meet expectations. In Montessori education, children begin by following rules and guidance from adults, and over time this naturally develops into self-control as they grow and mature.  The stages of obedience are closely connected to a child’s age and development. For children under three, their sense of will is just beginning to emerge. At this stage, they are naturally drawn to what interests them in the environment and often act on instinct and impulse. This is why it is essential for adults to set clear and consistent boundaries, gently redirect unwanted behaviors toward appropriate ones, and model the language and actions they want children to learn. In a Montessori classroom, this stage is further supported through a carefully prepared and orderly environment. Children are offered practical life activities that are meaningful and purposeful, helping them develop independence and learn appropriate ways to engage with their surroundings. The second stage of obedience typically begins after the age of three and can last for several years as a child’s will continues to develop. During this time, children become more engaged with their surroundings and increasingly interested in social interactions. The adult’s role is to provide meaningful interactions, offer plenty of opportunities for practice and repetition of lessons, and support the child in developing deeper concentration and enjoyment in their work. Guidance through Grace and Courtesy lessons helps children learn respectful, kind, and appropriate ways to interact with others. The final stage is when true self-discipline can be seen. At this level, children act from internal motivation. What they do and how they behave brings them a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and purpose. Children naturally enjoy being helpful, staying engaged, and feeling that they belong. Having specific responsibilities allows them to contribute meaningfully to their family, group, or community. At this stage, adults continue to play an important role by guiding children to make thoughtful choices and helping them understand that self-discipline is a lifelong skill, one that adults also continue to practice and develop. Today is the 119th anniversary of the first Casa Dei Bambini opened in Italy. Some ways of celebrating for our students was using the stamp game to figure out what year it was when it opened. See the pictures below!

"Light a candle for peace, light a candle for love, light a candle that shines all the way around the world. Light a candle for me, light a candle for you, so the wish of world peace will one day come true!" This is one of the songs that Lower Elementary children presented at the Winter Concert last week. It was a wonderful event coming together once again as a community; many younger children were truly inspired by their older schoolmates. It's hard to believe that we are at the end of the fall semester! There has been so much learning, growing independence, taking ownership of work and responsibilities, building connections and inspiring one other for the children and the adults at CMS. This is also a season of giving and sharing. With the money earned at the International Festival, the Cypress students have purchased food for the Animal Shelter and donated it last week. Thank you for your support! As we approach the end of the year, it’s natural to pause and reflect. This year has brought many changes, and with change comes growth. While we learn from our challenges, we also know that looking back can keep us from moving forward. I am truly grateful for our CMS community; the children who are the future, the families who trust us every day, and the dedicated staff who work so hard to make each day the best it can be. The changes we’re making are for the better, and I believe our strength comes from working together.