Inspired by Baiba Krumins-Grazzini's interdependencies lecture at NAMTA's Portland conference, David Kahn shows the unifying structures of the program that are rooted in the natural and social sciences. Through a connective web, these sciences explore the integration of all knowledge and lead to a philosophical view of life on earth, including…

Fritjof Capra's two-part lecture presents the fundamentals of systems thinking and sustainability along with the power of an ecologically comprehensive theory to shape education to fit the needs of human development in relation to the environment. Dr. Capra aims for the big picture emphasizing that effective learning is a system embedded in the…

The use of the hand is a physiological sequence. The prehensile nature of the human hand is an evolutionary feature as is the freeing of the hands due to bipedalism. Kay Baker outlines of the human hand's significance to the mind as found in chapter 14 of the "Absorbent Mind." In this article, she has created lists that break down the…

The authors accept urban reform as their main calling with their aim being to break the poverty cycle with a multi-faceted, educational, and family-centered approach. The authors speak about providing a broad range of education programs and social services including low-cost housing in comfortable apartments for single mothers, early childhood…

Makes comparisons between theories implicit to flow and similar ideas integral to Montessori's thought. Points of similarity include universality, the foundation on practical experiences, the reference to subconscious activity, the call for challenge to spark interest, and the use of freedom and self-discipline as incentives to self-motivation.…

Recasts the role of normalization as "spiritual regeneration," looking to the unleashing of new intellectual powers and the child's emancipation from typical deviations. Suggests the adult may become normalized by experiencing normality in children and thereby developing a lifetime spiritual orientation based on the revelation of the…

Advocates an environmentally congruent conception of child development and includes Montessori theory as part of a biocentric view where child development connects to the laws of nature. Explains orientations to the world informing development of a biocentric vision of childhood: mastery, immersion, and engagement. Discusses how mastery and…

Working from normalization theory, uses a graphical metaphor to illustrate the liberation of the "hidden self." Explains the layers of the metaphor, the "false person," the "intelligent, rational person," and the "hidden person," and offers several ways educators can work to uncover the layers surrounding…

Discusses the progress of the Montessori to Romania Project, noting the problem solutions involving social reform that celebrates diverse educational formats, which articulate freedom as a component of human development. Describes the organizational efforts of the Romanian Montessori school and classroom experiences. (JPB)

Asserts that Maria Montessori's concept of education is a theory, explaining that Montessori did not teach a method, but rather a vision for child development. Compares Montessori theory with five other educational theories. Emphasizes the power of different visionary, utopian educational theories which seek a definition of humans and their aims.…

Describes characteristics of the normalized child, the ultimate goal of Montessori education. First outlines children's basic needs, then describes traits of the normalized child, including love of order, work, silence and working alone; mutual aid and cooperation; profound spontaneous concentration; obedience; independence and initiative;…

Discusses the basic discoveries of Montessori's Casa dei Bambini. Considers principles of Montessori's organizing theory: the absorbent mind, the unfolding nature of life, the spiritual embryo, self-construction, acquisition of culture, creativity of life, repetition of exercise, freedom within limits, children's discovery of knowledge, the secret…

Discusses cornerstone of Montessori theory, normalization, which asserts that if a child is placed in an optimum prepared environment where inner impulses match external opportunities, the undeviated self emerges, a being totally in harmony with its surroundings. Makes distinctions regarding normalization, normalized, and normality, indicating how…

Summarizes the four planes of development and the role of Montessori education in each plane. Notes that there has been no full implementation of Montessori's ideas for adolescents. Maintains that adolescents will benefit from a Montessori adolescent program only if they have participated in previous Montessori programs. Describes how…

Presents fundamentals of systems thinking and sustainability within an ecological theory to shape education to the needs of human development in relation to the environment. Emphasizes that effective learning is a system embedded in the web of life, giving humans the ability to see the interconnectedness of the environment, community, and the…