Dr. Montessori observed that people of all ages tend to behave in certain predictable ways. She called these natural patterns “human tendencies.” They guide us throughout life and support our physical survival, emotional well-being, and overall development. Maria Montessori identified many of these tendencies, including: orientation, exploration, order, imagination, activity and movement, self-perfection, communication, association with others, and many more. These tendencies are always present, and Montessori education is designed to nurture them in healthy, meaningful ways.

• Orientation is the process of adjusting to a new place or group and learning to feel comfortable and at home in that environment. Emotionally, orientation involves understanding the expectations and routines of the community where everyone feels respected, shares responsibilities, and can grow toward independence.
   
• Exploration is the natural tendency that drives us to learn about the world and seek answers to our questions. We explore through observing, researching experimenting, and discovering. As we broaden our understanding, we construct ourselves as individuals, as well as our societies and cultures. In early childhood exploration happens through the senses while the elementary age children expand their exploration through imagination and “Going Outs” where they learn from real experiences in the community beyond the classroom.
   
• Order is essential from the moment a child is born. Having order in their surroundings helps children develop the internal structure they need to feel secure and function well in any situation. This includes keeping the environment organized, establishing predictable routines, and taking responsibility for personal belongings. These simple habits support the development of intellectual growth. Both physical and mental order play a key role in building strong executive functioning skills which are vital for success in school, work, and everyday life.
   
• Imagination is the ability to create mental images based on real experiences. It includes curiosity, creativity, and the capacity to combine memories and observations to form new ideas. Thanks to imagination, early humans were able to develop clothing, shelter, transportation, and forms of communication. Today, the same human imagination continues to drive innovation and make what once seemed impossible become reality.
   
• Activity and movement involve using both the body and the mind, our hands and our thinking, to engage with the world around us. Through purposeful activity, children develop important skills that help them become productive, independent, and confident. In Montessori, we often refer to this activity as “work,” because it supports a child’s growth and self-construction. Just as the hand cannot work without the mind, the mind cannot fully develop without the work of the hand.
   
• Self-perfection is the tendency that drives us to keep improving in all areas of life. Throughout history, from simple shelters and stone tools to skyscrapers and modern technology, humans have continuously sought to make things better. This desire to refine, improve, and progress is a powerful force that helps us grow as individuals and as a society.
   
• Communication allows us to share ideas, feelings, and opinions, helping us build meaningful connections with others. We communicate in many ways, through gestures, spoken words, writing, music, art, and more. Humans are naturally wired to communicate; even infants express their needs from the very beginning. As children grow, their communication becomes more sophisticated, and they develop a deeper ability to understand others, including reading body language and social cues.
   
• Association with others refers to the connections we form with groups and communities, and the way we learn from their shared knowledge and experiences. Humans depend on one another, and together we create a global community. Feeling a sense of belonging is essential, it helps us thrive, contribute meaningfully, and share responsibilities within the group.

All Ages Playdate

CMS Playground 

December 7
10AM - Noon 

Q) How long have you worked at CMS?
A) I have been at CMS for six years. With a small break in between. I have worked as a sub, a floater, and an assistant in the Casita and children’s house classrooms. 

Q) How did you come to discover Montessori and how has it impacted your life?
A)  I discovered Montessori in college through my education courses. Montessori there was just a small blimp of information in a textbook. I truly saw it in action when I was nannying for a family. The children were so self-sufficient. They cooked alongside with me, they mended their clothing, they tended to their own garden. It was amazing and a bit frightening to see such small children handling knives, and sewing needles but they with such precise care. It was that family that really showed the possibility of Montessori working in the real world. 

Q) What is something you would recommend for parents?
A) My advice would be to include your children with everyday life prep. Let them help with cooking, laundry, vacuuming, etc. It’s not going to be perfect and it may take a bit longer, but they’ll have those self sufficient basic skills to be proud of. 

Q) What do you do for fun outside of work? 
A) I love to travel, craft, spend time with my family and do a lot of estate sale shopping. 

CMS CALENDAR REMINDERS

• December 7 - All Ages Playdate CMS Playground 10-12 
• December 9 - Elementary Winter Concert in the Georgetown Library, 5:30-6:30PM

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