How can we use the teachings of neuroscience to bring language alive and inspire children to choose language work in our Montessori classrooms? How can we guide children to independent language expression and creativity? This webcast provides a brain-based look at the meeting point of current research and Montessori pedagogy.

The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) of Spain group brought me all the way to Girona, Spain (an ancient, walled city north of Barcelona...go visit!) to give this talk. Here is an audio recording of the talk I made to practice the night before we flew out. I was a little sleepy but you can still get the gist of it. May it be useful. 

This survey study evaluated whether a workshop presentation would improve learning if it were altered to marry the findings of neuroscience, biology, and cognitive science with pedagogy—the Mind, Brain, Health, and Education (MBHE) approach. In March of 2010, the researcher presented a 90-minute workshop titled “The Secret Work of Normalization” to over 300 Montessori professionals at the American Montessori Society’s (AMS) National Conference in Boston. The workshop’s design was based on Neuroscience-Informed Workshop Strategies (NIWS).

Two surveys were completed by participants immediately upon completion of the session and a post-workshop survey was completed online one month later. Results suggest that the NIWS:

• Were rated as very effective by participants

• Resulted in measurable improvements in classroom schedules

• Resulted in perceived improvements in targeted behaviors

Teacher's Insight Box included in Section 5: Principles: Performance depends on context, and regression is essential to learning.