WHOLE BRAIN

I finished reading Siegel and Bryson’s book on the whole-brain child. After returning it to the library, I ordered two more copies from Amazon. I’m so impressed with the simple and practical way the authors evaluate the operations of the brain.

Maria Montessori uses the term mind in her original work rather than brain. I’ve read of other scientist’s views explaining the work of the brain creating the actions of the mind. Maria Montessori explains this work being done by an absorbent mind--a physical, spiritual, and intelligent organ of a human being that is present, creating the being’s life until death.

Maria Montessori was initially a physician concerned with the health of her students. She observed what nurtured the children’s potential for happiness. This is the basis of her method and materials. Later she became a scientist and proved her theories in further observations of the children. She wasn’t inclined to work with mice and rats to understand what was obvious as she enjoyed watching a child’s contentment in its work. Nevertheless, experiments of mice and rats have proven what Maria Montessori learned over one-hundred years ago when she discovered the secret of childhood.

Maria Montessori worked for peace. She believed peace is a birth-right and she trained teachers and parents to provide a peaceful environment for their children, our future citizens of the universe. I think parents and teachers would appreciate a unit, Peace Education for the Home & Classroom, offered by a creative website: www.carrotsareorange.com:

http://carrotsareorange.com/category/education/montessori/peace-curriculum/