Glimpses of Aging – for the Young to Think About
An Amazon review of Aged Care Through a Montessori Lens, by Anne Kelly and Susan Mayclin Stephenson:
THIS BOOK SHOULD BE READ BY THE YOUNG. This book contains valuable information, not just in thinking about parents and grandparents, but for myself, and I do not consider myself old yet. It is young people who need this information so they can change the system. I was very impressed with the Montessori ideas laid out in this book, especially the consideration of dignity during this period.
On February 20th and 21st, 2024, a group of us from Washington, California, Tennessee, and Colorado met in Denver for the long awaited introductory Aging and Dementia workshop given by Anne Kelly from Tasmania, Australia. Anne’s work is well-known in Australia and worldwide. Her last work this spring was in Japan and following this workshop she will be in the Netherlands and Greece. Hopefully she will return again to the US.
It was the first time in many years that I have sat and listened to someone speak for almost 7 hours for two days in a row, continually leaning forward in anticipation. This was because everything she shared, all of the interesting and compassionate stories, were based on her many years of in-person work with thousands of people in many countries.
Even though my own work as a speaker and consultant is, and will continue to be, based on experience working with children and young adults from birth to eighteen years of age, but I could not pass up the chance to learn from a Montessori specialist for these special adults. For anyone interested in obtaining AMI Montessori certification at this level, which begins with a workshop like this one, here is the link to the MDDA (Montessori for Dementia, Disability and Aging) training and certification information:
CLICK: AMI MDDA
This slide reminded me that for years as a child heard adults speak about how they could hardly wait till they retired, no longer had to work, and could spend their days lounging around on the beach, traveling, catching up on reading, etc. But I also remember that after moving to the land of their dreams it was not uncommon for happiness to elude them, for boredom to set in, and early death to be the result.
The Montessori quote above sums up one of Anne’s main points. Maybe work isn’t always something to be avoided, especially when it involves regaining abilities, continuing to learn, and daily roles in contributing to the community and helping others.
The Montessori Institute, Denver, Colorado
It was auspicious to hold this event at this Montessori training center where the participants, often unfamiliar with authentic Montessori practice, could see an environment created to support the mastering of real work, and being helpful to others, for ages birth to three years!
For the very young, just as for the elders, much thought goes into the creation of an environment that challenges one to learn and grow, without causing frustration and boredom.
Above is a picture of the dressing frames that teach the skills for dressing oneself to the young. They can also be used to help people with physical disabilities—especially who have been “cared for” for so long that they have lost these skills and much of their independence—retrieve them, making life more meaningful and enjoyable.
There is also a picture of the beautiful wooden “Michael Olaf Joyful Child frame” which I see in Montessori 0-6 environments everywhere I work.
Here is. Link to the Joyful Child frame: CLICK: Frame
On the right, is an example of a well-thought-out set of materials that allows the very young to wash cloths and clothing.
During the workshop I was struck by the many similarities of Montessori at all stages of development. I was striking how the needs of the human being—for independence and making choices and carrying out real work and contributing to the community—are the similar throughout life, and can be successfully met when aligned with the person’s stage of development, interests, and abilities.
Here is the link to more information about The Montessori Institute, to keep up on AMI courses offered for all ages, and information on a course by Anne in the future.
CLICK: TMI
For many years I returned to The Montessori Institute each summer to help prepare the 0-3 students for exams (and next year will be returning an oral examiner for the directors’s 0-3 course). It was wonderful to see this beautiful environment again and to meet old and new friends. One special moment was when I saw, hanging on the wall, a scroll that I had brought from Dharamsala, India to share with my colleges at TMI. Next to the picture of this scroll is another of Anne’s slides reminding us, in the Montessori world or wherever people are searching for the meaning of life, that “Life is given meaning [ed: not by what we have or look like] by what we do.”
The Wonderful Two’s YouTube Video
Some years ago I joined my good friend Judi Orion (here at the workshop with me in Denver) for the first AMI 0-3 course in Japan. During the same trip I had arranged to meet Dr. and Mrs. Suzuki in Matsumoto, where the headquarters of the Suzuki Music program is located. In preparation for this meeting I filmed the Montessori children and adults-in-training at the school transitioning from a traditional daycare to a Montessori Infant Community. Later, at the request of Mrs. Suzuki I filmed an Infant Community back in Denver to make a presentation at the next USA Suzuki conference.
As I heard more and more from Anne Kelly my mind kept going back to this video, the preparing of a Montessori environment for 0-3, and how similar the process is in her work.
So I am sharing the link to this video. Please remember that it is not professional; I had never even held a video camera in my hands before. But it has been shared thousands of times on YouTube, so many times that now there are ads at the beginning (and more “Montessori” videos at the end which may or may not be authentic Montessori).
I hope this video helps anyone who watches it think differently about the very old and the very young, and us in between . . . and dignity . . . independence . . . joy . . . possibilities . . .
CLICK: Video
The Book
If you find yourself wanting to know more about this AMI program right now, without having to wait till you can attend one of Anne’s workshops or certification courses in person, you might be interested in the book that the two of us created together. Here is a link to how this project came into being, and also a link for ordering it from Amazon (This is the Amazon site for the USA, so check the one that you order from wherever in the world you live.)
CLICK: Anne and Susan
CLICK: Book on Amazon
Here I am with Judi Orion and Ann, celebrating the completion of this very important workshop. I hope you have enjoyed reading about it and that you will share this newest stage of support of human development in, as Anne refers to it, “Montessori Land.”
First Montessori Books
For other First Montessori books (for teachers, administrators, parents, grandparents, babysitters, nannys, etc) CLICK: First Montessori Books
I would like your help
If you purchase my books on Amazon anywhere in the world it is very valuble to hear your thoughts via an Amazon review. These reviews, such as the one at the top of this page, help me think about what, from 50+years of Montessori experience, I should share with others.
And a big “thank you” to those who have already written amazon reviews!
Please share this blog post to any friend or colleague who you reel might benefit from this information.
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Take care,
Susan
Home page: CLICK: SUSAN
Thank you Susan for all your 50+years of experience that you want to share with us.