"Montessori and Struggle," an inspiring article by Paula Polk Lillard, appeared in The NAMTA Journal in 2010. Drawing on her experiences as a child during the Great Depression and WWII, and later as a mother of four children, Lillard suggests that we learn to embrace hardship and use it as an opportunity to build character and strength within the individual, family, and school community. Accepting that "life is change," parents must resist the temptation to "demonize our leaders" in times of crisis, and instead model optimism with their children and help them feel secure in the belief that the world is fundamentally "a good place." Schools are encouraged to do the same, in addition to focusing on building relationships of patience and trust within their communities.
Maria Montessori, like many of her contemporaries, was deeply affected by both the First and Second World Wars. Remarkably, Montessori was able to see great hope for humanity even in the darkest of times, and her educational approach is designed in hopes that children, with the proper guidance, can move the world in a more peaceful direction. Indeed, as Lillard describes, "it is [the] ability to treat others with dignity, whether they choose the professions, politics, government service, philanthropy, business, or finance as their calling, that sets Montessori graduates apart from so many of their peers."
In sum, she encourages us to trust that the Montessori approach "frees up human energy to solve the challenges of the world through the education of children." Difficult times, whether experienced by a nation or an individual, can be a catalyst for positive growth and change. In Lillard's own words, "reality means periods of struggle, rapid change, and hardship...as well as periods of relative calm, consolidation, and comfort...To lead a full life of service and contribution, we need to be prepared for both."
Paula Polk Lillard is the founder and Head Emeritus of Forest Bluff School. She has authored several books on Montessori theory and education and is a frequent speaker and contributor to Montessori journals and publications.
Click here to read the full NAMTA Journal article.
