Montessori and Mindfulness, Susan Mayclin Stephenson with Angeline Stoll Lillard
Montessori and Mindfulness by Susan Mayclin Stephenson with Angeline Stoll Lillard is not a book of theory, but one that shares a path to healthy and happy human development that is based on years of careful observation. It draws on Angeline’s work as a professor of psychology, director of the Early Development Laboratory at the University of Virginia, and the book “Montessori, the Science Behind the Genius.” Susan’s writing is based on fifty-plus years of Montessori work in thirty countries: teaching children and young adults ages 2-18, consulting with schools and governments, lecturing at universities and conferences, and working as an oral examiner for AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) teacher training courses.
The practice of mindfulness (focusing attention on the present moment with openness and curiosity, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future) is important for all ages and can provide relief for the chronic fight-or-fight mental state so common today. It has been the focus in authentic Montessori practice since 1907, when the first “casa dei bambini” (house of children) was opened in Rome by Maria Montessori MD.
Table of Contents:
—Mindfulness
—Meditation as a path to Mindfulness
—Montessori and Mindfulness from the Beginning of Life
—Mindfulness, Support and impediments
—Flow, the Secret of Happiness
—Work as Mindfulness
—Mindfulness Walking
—Music as Mindfulness
—Born to be Good
—How This Book was Born
—Mindfulness Practices in Education: Montessori’s Approach
Page 2 (One of the 2-year-olds bakes bread for her/his classmates each morning in this Montessori infant community in Sweden. The teacher has measured and prepared the ingredients )
Creating a supportive physical, mental, emotional environment, carefully observing the child’s response, adapting to the needs of the individual, comes first. There is a natural tendency toward long periods of deep concentration when the activities presented to young children are appropriate to the stage of development, and such concentration or mindfulness leads to calm, joy, creativity, intelligence, and a natural impulse toward empathy and compassion for others. With support from the early days and years of life, an individual can develop skills of mindfulness that can contribute to health and happiness throughout life.
Page 23 (Children in this Montessori 2-6 class in California have learned how to observe another person at work without interrupting his concentration)
Both authors speak from personal experience of many years of mindfulness meditation practice and the positive results. They both understand the importance of some type of a daily mindfulness practice as adults, and the relationship between this and authentic Montessori practice.
Page 78 (Working in the garden alongside his grandfather, this lad knows that he will not be interrupted or told to stop working until he is satisfied)
The 2026 edition includes a chapter explaining how these two colleagues worked together to plan their presentations at the International AMI Montessori Congress in Prague, Czech Republic in 2017, which was the inspiration for this book. “Montessori and Mindfulness” has been used by many parents and professionals who value, or are searching for, an education that is not based on learning academic facts, but on creating one that values curiosity, passion for learning, and where deep concentration is protected; a way of living and learning where the dignity and contribution of each unique individual is respected, where cooperation rather than competition, and the joy that comes from helping others, are experienced daily. Imagine a world of adult who grew up like this.
When the children had completed an absorbing bit of work, they appeared rested and deeply pleased. It almost seemed as if a road had opened up within their souls that led to all their latent powers, revealing the better part of themselves. They exhibited a great affability to everyone, put themselves out to help others and seemed full of good will. It was clear to me that the concept of order and the development of character, of the intellectual and emotional life, must derive from this veiled source. Thereafter, I set out to find experimental objects that would make this concentration possible, and carefully worked out an environment that would present the most favorable external conditions for this concentration.
And that is how my method began.
—Maria Montessori, The Child in the Family
Page 112 (Academic work is balanced with practical life work—such as sifting compost to make garden soil—in this Montessori middle school in Hawaii)
A great Tibetan teacher, and translator for the Dalai Lama, whom I met in Dharamsala, India in 2002 defined mindfulness in this way in a talk in Toronto: It is indeed true that mindfulness is about being aware of oneself, one’s thoughts and emotions and actions, but this is not all that it is. Mindfulness means also being aware of others, of the environment, and one’s relationship with others and the environment.
For more about the Toronto meeting, CLICK: Vancouver
The author has a deep and broad understanding of Montessori and life long experience with meditation. Supplemented by wonderful pictures and stories from worldwide travels, this book gives a sound portrayal of how mindfulness manifests in this most profound and wise approach to children’s education. Many thanks!
—Angeline Lillard, Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia, Author of Montessori, the Science Behind the Genius
This book has the magic of leading the reader to be able to understand how Montessori environments offer the practice of “mindfulness” in such a natural and authentic way through work, concentration and being part of all the wonderful experiences, as children and also as adults.
—Cecilia Elguero, Director of Training, AMI Instituto Montessori Internacional de Queretaro, Mexico
Print version available directly from the publisher
CLICK: MM print
—Print, kindle, audio book from Amazon,
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Blessings,
Susan
Home page, CLICK: Susan
To see other books in this series, CLICK: Books
Thank you very nice, many blessigns
Mónica