At its core, Montessori education is about preparing the whole child for life. What does this entail in today’s world? It means empowering children with a foundation of wellness practices that can help them build resilience by boosting their physical, emotional, and mental health. In this regard, Montessori care-of-self activities in the practical life area, meant to support the development of independence and skills like coordination, also help the child understand the value and importance of self-care. As Montessori suggests: “Personal health is related (..) to the worship of life in all its natural beauty.” Well-being is a universal human aspiration, and healthy habits can be learned. Yet teaching them, like building a muscle, takes intentionality.
This means that we need to more consciously and proactively integrate wellness related concepts and activities into the learning experience. But where do we start? We can begin by exploring the synergies and connections already present between different wellness dimensions and various elements of Montessori education. Here are three areas where Montessori meets wellness.
Physical Wellness
The first aspect that generally comes to mind when thinking about well-being is the physical. Physical wellness refers to maintaining a healthy body through physical activity, proper nutrition, good sleep habits, etc. A prevalent component of a healthy life>
The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.