The word intentional is defined as done with intention or on purpose, which is an essential characteristic of the Montessori philosophy. Everything we offer to the child, the intangible (like our words, gestures, and decisions) and the tangible (furniture, toys, clothing), are meant to be intentionally prepared.
For many years, I knew the importance of both aspects, especially in a school and health setting. However, since becoming a mother, I have dived deeper into the home aspect, working hard on parenting intentionally and sharing my journey with other parents and caregivers.
So, being a mom aiming to parent intentionally with all Montessori tools learned through my journey makes the name Intentional Momtessori resonate perfectly with my vision of this virtual space.
I hope to provide helpful information to prepare your child's environment. And many opportunities to reflect and work together on our preparation and transformation as guiding adults.
We are in this together!
Hi! I am Fernanda Arredondo, a mom of two and a devoted Montessorian. I was born and raised in Mexico and moved to Texas in 2015. My Montessori journey started in 2004 when I got the opportunity to get a Montessori certificate for children 3-6 in Italy. So, I went back home and graduated as a Speech-Language Pathologist. After a couple of years, when I moved to the US, I underwent the Assistants To Infancy Montessori Certification through the Association Montessori International (AMI), which covers the child's development from pregnancy to three years old. So, as you can imagine, learning about early childhood and respectful parenting fills my cup.
Throughout the years, I learned we must observe and evolve with the children's needs, interests and skills; what works for them today might need to be changed later. I hope to help you create a physical and psychological environment that meets your child's needs. Where respect is an action and where following your child becomes a natural part of your family flow.
Maria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy, in 1870. From a young age, she showed interest in learning new things and breaking typical education patterns for women. She was one of the first female Italian doctors and the first one in Rome. She worked with children in a Psychiatric Clinic and became very interested in their education. When her students passed above-average scores in the state examinations, she started wondering what she could do to help children without neurological needs fulfill their potential.
In 1907 she began working with low-income children in Rome; she observed children learned by doing things themselves, using their hands, and having the freedom to choose their work and materials. Today, her vision is called the Montessori Method, and it is implemented in the five continents. It has been proved that it can serve any child no matter the cultural or social-economic situation.
One of her philosophy's main principles is that social, emotional, and intellectual development are all related. And that children construct themselves by following internal needs and interests, not by the adult pouring knowledge on them.
She received many honors and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times. She traveled extensively through Europe, India, and the United States. She gave lectures to hundreds of adults, visited schools, and prepared classroom public exhibitions.
Dr. Montessori changed the course of education to where respect is always present when interacting with children and where honoring each child's potential is always the starting point of the journey.
¨The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life¨