Every parent wonders what to do when their child seems unmotivated. In this Grounded and Soaring article, educator Minnie Wales explores how real motivation develops—not from pressure or rewards, but from purpose, curiosity, and the freedom to take ownership of learning.
In Montessori, simple activities like folding a cloth are more than just tasks—they’re the building blocks for a child’s future academic and personal success. These moments teach concentration, resilience, and problem-solving, laying the groundwork for skills like advanced mathematics and critical thinking.
Ultimately, fostering independence is about more than just practical skills—it’s about cultivating a mindset. By setting up our homes to support autonomy, setting clear expectations, and thoughtfully guiding our children through challenges, we lay the groundwork for a lifetime of self-reliance and resilience.
From the time our children are born, they start the journey of becoming more and more independent of us. They separate from our bodies. Then they learn to eat food. They learn to move. At each of these milestones, they are becoming more physically independent.
In the last couple of months, I’ve been able to connect with a number of my own past students and graduates of Marin Montessori School…
My three children are as distinct and beautifully themselves as any three human beings can be – and yet they undoubtedly developed along a nearly identical track, experiencing the same lurches and regressions at roughly the same stages of development.
Cosmic Education inspires a rigorous academic pursuit of understanding. It’s not flimsy. It’s made of ore and stone, of science and art.
