The Role of the Guide

At Children’s Workshop, we refer to our teachers as guides. The primary tasks of a Montessori guide are to:

• Awaken the child’s spirit and imagination
• Encourage the child’s natural desire for independence
• Help the child develop the kindness, courtesy and self-discipline that will allow her to become a full member of society
• Model for the child how to observe, question and explore ideas independently

To achieve these goals, the guide must first prepare a beautiful, orderly environment that provides the necessary variety of purposeful activities for the child. The guide then will observe the children to know their individual needs and interests and directs the children toward work appropriate for them. Knowing how to observe constructively and when, and how much, to intervene, is one of the most important talents the Montessori guide.