08/14/2025
In this start to a new school year, we should be reminded of Maria’s words…
What did Dr. Maria Montessori mean when she referred to “the child who is not yet there"?
Judi Orion, AMI 0-3 Trainer and AMI Director of Pedagogy, explores this idea and how adults and teachers support the unknown child whose potential and capabilities are still unfolding, and how the same principle applies to adult learners.
Judi writes: "Seeing the true child comes from training to be a keen observer... To be a scientific observer requires practice, awareness of self, others, and the environment, and a willingness to continue to practice the skill of observing until it has become habitual. When observation is habitual, the adult does not 'step in' too soon, trusts the child/ren to work out challenges, encourages only when needed, and is aware when no encouragement is needed. and...trust that the children are capable to carry on with their developmental work, supporting each other when needed.
The phrase 'not yet there 'is applicable to adults at the beginning of their practice. We know that adults, given the support needed while honing the skill of scientific observation, can evolve to 'see the child who is not yet there' as their own journey to become an observant adult progresses."
Read the rest of Judi's article!
FB & LI folx visit
https://montessori-ami.org/trainingvoices/child-not-yet-there
IG folx visit our bio > http://linktr.ee > Voices of AMI Training
