Dr. Bernadette Phillips
How the Montessori Approach can help children who have been affected by trauma
Childhood adversity and trauma are prevalent and found in all socio-economic groups. Over 100 years ago, Montessori schools were known as “Case della Salute” (Health Homes) wherein trauma-affected children were ‘healed’ on a considerable scale. This talk will show how Montessori used her materials as ‘tools ‘of healing, her teachers as ‘sources’ of healing and her environments as ‘places’ of healing. Contemporary Montessori schools, especially for 3–6-year-olds, can do exactly the same, because neuroscience now reveals the mechanisms behind Dr Montessori’s success. This means, Montessori schools are more relevant than ever, because of their capacity to support trauma-affected children.
AUDIO VERSION
Dr. Bernadette Phillips
Bernadette Phillips completed her PhD at Maynooth University, Ireland in 2024.Her research topic focused on Montessori schools as ‘healing’ environments for children (3-6 years) who had been negatively affected by adversity or trauma. Her research was funded by the Irish Research Council (IRC). (now Research Ireland).
Bernadette has 30 years’ experience as a Montessori/early years practitioner, in Ireland and the UK. She has authored and co-authored several books and academic articles covering: Montessori and childhood trauma, Montessori and dementia, and Montessori education. She has also designed and delivered modules for parents and teachers on the Montessori Method for the University of York, UK.
Discussion
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Tolerable stress is a very hard thing for some children. But I do agree that caring ing. Caregiver teacher whoever in a calm and caring environment will help children. Thank you so much for your information
Very interesting topic that Montessori teaching can heal and support trauma in children.
With human love and the Montessori materials children learn to self-regulate and develop life skills. I am interested in learning more about how the brain development learning paths and the science between to two.
Hello Val,
Thank you for taking the time to listen to this talk. Yes, I would agree with you 100%. Terrible stress is a very hard thing from any children. That’s why Montessori environment can really be a ‘refuge’ for such children, so that they can begin to heal. This was very much the case historically with the Messina children and the French and Belgian refugee children. And, I’m convinced, especially from current neuroscientific research, that contemporary Montessori environments have all the infrastructure they need to help trauma affected children to heal. I hope you are enjoying this wonderful conference.
Best wishes,
Bernadette
Hello Val,
Thank you for taking the time to listen to this talk. Yes, I would agree with you 100%. Tolerable stress is a very hard thing from many children. That’s why Montessori environments can really be a ‘refuge’ for such children, so that they can begin to heal. This was very much the case historically with the Messina children and the French and Belgian refugee children. And I’m convinced, especially from current neuroscientific research, that contemporary Montessori environments have all the infrastructure they need to help trauma affected children to heal. I hope you are enjoying this wonderful conference.
Best wishes,
Bernadette
Hello Heather,
Thank you also for taking the time to listen to this talk. If you want to know more about the science behind Dr Montessori’s success with trauma-affected children, I recommend examining the link between Dr Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential model and Dr Montessori’s work. The following article might be helpful to you in this regard:
Phillips, B. (2022). The Montessori Method and the Neurosequential Model in Education (NME): A Comparative Study. Journal of Montessori Research. Vol 8 Issue 2.33-43. https://doi.org/10.17161/jomr.v8i2.18419 I hope you are enjoying this wonderful conference.
Best wishes,
Bernadette