Our Guest: Jana Morgan Herman
Show Notes
Jana Morgan Herman joins the podcast to discuss some common Montessori myths. As a Montessori historian and researcher, Jana has searched every one of Dr. Montessori’s original writings, including those in the archives in Amsterdam, transcribing them from the original Italian, looking for evidence of some commonly held Montessori practices.
Here are some examples of Montessori practices that are not found in Dr. Montessori’s writings:
- Rugs being used only to frame the work
- Ordering materials on the shelves from left to right, top to bottom
- The preliminary activities in Practical Life
- How to hold the red and blue rods
- Circle time
Another common Montessori practice that Jana has researched deeply is the three-hour work cycle. Jana found Dr. Montessori’s original schedule of the day from her book, The Montessori Method, and discovered that this schedule is very different from the one that most Montessori school’s practice today. (You can read Dr. Montessori’s Schedule of the Day here.) The original schedule has very different implications for how much time children should spend outside and the role of play. Dr. Montessori’s original vision is actually supported by current brain research. So how did we veer away from this? And how can we get back to the original Montessori practices that are best for children’s development?
Join us for this fascinating discussion that will make you rethink some of your Montessori assumptions.
About our Guest
Jana Morgan Herman
Endeavor Schools National Director of Montessori Education & Director of Training
Jana Morgan Herman began her Montessori journey in 1990. Jana earned Montessori early childhood certification, participated in elementary Montessori training for ages lower elementary, and earned an M.Ed from St. Catherine University. She has written articles for Montessori Life, Montessori Leadership, and other publications, and is on the Editorial Advisory Board for Montessori Life Magazine. In addition, Jana has worked as a teacher educator for 5 MACTE accredited teacher education organizations in the US and Asia. Jana is currently the Director of Montessori Education at Endeavor schools.
Resources
Jana’s Website: https://montessori-with-jana.com/
The House of Children by Dr. Maria Montessori (Lecture, Kodaikanal, 1944)
Montessori’s original Schedule of the Day from The Montessori Method, p. 119
Curves of Activity Charts from The Advanced Montessori Method
Montessori and Outdoor Education
Kahn-Wikramaratne Interview about Elementary education and the outdoors
Slides from Kahn-Wikramaratne Interview
Voices in Montessori Podcast
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