Age 6-12

AMI Montessori for Ages 6-12, Questions and Answers

SusanMayclinStephensonLeave a comment

On October 3, 2026 Conference Education for Life was held in Iasi, Romania.
We were treated to music by the students, and several interesting stories. We Montessori speakers gathered from far away, including Lynne Lawrence from Amsterdam (General Director of AMI), Judi Orion from Amsterdam (AMI Director of Pedagogy), Lori Woellhaf from London and the Philippines (AMI 3-6 teacher trainer), yours truly from California (AMI consultant and examiner), Jenny Hogland from Sweden (AMI 6-12 and 12-18 teacher trainer), Simona Nicolae (AMI 3-6 teacher trainer and educational director of the Montessori School of Iasi) and Catalina Ivan (founder of the Montessori School of Iasi) both from Romania.

After the speeches we gathered on stage to answer questions. Conference attendees were invited to submit questions and many were answered but over 60 questions remained to be answered later. Here are the questions given to me, and my answers: Continue reading →

BOOK: “Please Help Me Do It Myself, Observation and Recordkeeping for the Montessori Primary and Elementary Class”

SusanMayclinStephenson9 Comments

Having been out of the classroom for two years, as I read this book I thought to myself “It is though I am in a Montessori refresher course”. Thank you for writing this book.
—Adebanke Foloye, Nigerian AMI 3-6 and 6-12 teacher

Even with the very best training and intentions Montessori teachers at times revert to the traditional TTI (teacher-text centered, adult scheduled) teaching rather than CC (child-centered, free choice) teaching—that is essential in authentic Montessori practice. This means giving group rather than individual lessons, gathering children in daily adult-led circle time, teachers making assignments rather than issuing invitations, and, at the 6-18 level, forgetting that the Montessori teacher’s role at this age is to assist the student in learning to create one’s own individual academic path, make one’s own work plans, and meet both state/country and personal goals. Montessori is not about learning to obey and let others do one’s thinking.

Being able to follow the instincts, needs, and interests of each child requires scientific observation, record keeping, and planning. Please Help Me Do It Myself, Observation and Recordkeeping for the Montessori Primary and Elementary Class, supports successful child-centered, concentration-protected practice and explains the practice in great detail. Continue reading →

Book: Montessori for Family and Community

SusanMayclinStephenson1 Comment

Montessori for Family and Community

Engagingly written, this book makes the important elements of the Montessori approach accessible to a wide audience, using clear practical examples to explain profound developmental concepts.
—Lynne Lawrence, MBE, Executive Director of AMI,
the Association Montessori Internationale

Many black and white illustrations, 154 pages. There are QR codes that lead to YouTube video clips I have used in my work in thirty countries. They show the potential—especially in the first years—much more convincingly than words could (14 QR codes in the 0-3 section; 6 in the 3-6 section; and 3 more). There are pictures and practice from my own teaching, and other authentic Montessori programs around the world.
Chapters:
Introduction . . . 1
Birth to Three Years . . . 10
Age Three to Six Years . . . 39
My Primary and Elementary Consultant and Mentors . . . 74
Age Six to Twelve Years . . . 81
Age Twelve to Eighteen Years . . . 115
Conclusion . . . 139
Maria Montessori . . . 140 Continue reading →