Montessori Quotes

“Don’t be afraid,” the fox said, “I would never hurt you.” She smiled sweetly but the bunny was still a little scared.”
― Sybrina Durant, Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story

“The bunny was thrilled that her ears no longer dragged on the ground. They would stay nice and clean.”
― Sybrina Durant, Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story

“There are lots of different kinds of bows and Cleo loves them all.”
― Sybrina Durant, Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story

“Finally, the fox gently pulled both ear loops outward at the same time to make a pretty bow on top of the bunny’s head. The tips of her ears, hung just at her cheek bones.”
― Sybrina Durant, Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story

“Great Job! Now you have a bow just like Cleo.”
― Sybrina Durant, Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story

“Here’s a story that helps her tie the “bunny ear bow” exactly the same way every time.”
― Sybrina Durant, Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story

“Follow along at home to tie a bow just like the fox. Go find a scarf or ribbon that will fit around your waist or try these moves with your shoe laces.”
― Sybrina Durant, Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story

“Birdy sang out, “It’s true. She’s a friendly fox.” The deer chimed in, “She’s helped us all in some way.”
― Sybrina Durant, Cleo Can Tie A Bow: A Rabbit and Fox Story

“Parents in the early half of the twentieth century were primarily concerned with the development of character in their children. They wanted to be certain that their children were ready to cope with adversity, for it was surely coming to them one day whether in personal or national life. The development of character involves self-discipline and often sacrifice of one's own desires for the good of self and others. Montessori education, developed in this historical period, reflects this emphasis on the formation of the child's character. However, parents today are more likely to say their primary wish for their children is that they be happy. In pursuit of this goal they indulge their children, often unconsciously, to a degree that is startling to previous generations. All parents need to remember that true happiness comes through having character and discipline, and living a life of meaningful contribution -- not by having and doing whatever you wish.”
― Paula Polk Lillard, Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three

“...it is interesting to consider research on mastery versus performance goals in learning (Dweck 1999), discussed more in chapter 5. People with mastery orientations, in brief, are people who are interested in learning in order to master a topic. They tend to like challenges, and they persist at them. People with performance goals, in contrast, tend to like to do easy jobs that make them look good. They want to be judged positively. Although these two different orientations appear to characterize two different people, the same person can adopt different orientations under different environmental conditions. And it ends up that the particular conditions under which people are more apt to adopt mastery goals bear striking similarities to Montessori environments (Ames, 1992, see chapter 5).”
― Angeline Stoll Lillard, Montessori: The Science behind the Genius

“Children love to polish brass and silver, then move on to polishing their own shoes.”
― Tim Seldin, How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way

“Indeed, children’s intrinsic motivation in school has been shown to decline every year over the course of traditional schooling.”
― Angeline Stoll Lillard, Montessori: The Science behind the Genius

“Learning in an interactive setting as opposed to a passive one is conducive to the mix of soft and academic skills we're looking to develop in our kids.”
― Madeline Levine, Ready or Not: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World

“Kids who learn early in life that they're capable of mastering activities that at first feel a little stressful grow up better able to handle stress of all kinds.”
― Madeline Levine, Ready or Not: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World

“You are enough.
You are more than enough.
You have always been and will always be enough.

Keep shining bright, and never forget that you are loved beyond measure.”
― Leyda Lazo

“Dream big and aim for the sky,
Believe in yourself and don't be shy.
Your potential is boundless, it's true,
You can achieve what you set out to do.

With every step, with every try,
You grow and learn, you reach new highs.
So chase your dreams with all your might,
And let your heart be your guiding light.”
― Leyda Lazo, I Am the Magic Within: A Journey of Light and Wonder