A few years ago, I watched a young child carry a small tray across a Montessori classroom with the solemn concentration of someone transporting an extremely valuable scientific specimen. On the tray were a glass of water, a sponge, and a little bowl. The child moved...

  by Tim Seldin If you've spent your career in independent schools or early childhood education, you've likely encountered Montessori—perhaps as a competitor, a curiosity, or simply another name in the landscape of educational options. I want to take a few...

Aiden ate cucumbers at snack time with me today! The cool crispiness, color, texture, who knows? Or was it because he helped peel them, cut them up, and then sat with me while I savored mine? Whatever this celebration is it's certainly the next step in his food...