Homage for Dr. Maria Montessori: A Legacy of Prepared Environments and Inner Order
When people talk about trailblazers in education, few names resonate as powerfully as Dr. Maria Montessori. A physician, educator, and visionary thinker, Montessori transformed how we understand learning, independence, and human development. Born in Italy in 1870, she was one of the first women physicians in Europe, and she used her scientific training to observe how children best absorb and engage with the world. Her work laid the foundation for what is now a global movement.
At the core of her philosophy is the belief that every human being longs to be self-directed, and that we flourish when given the right environment to do so. Her now-famous phrase, “Help me to do it myself,” is more than a pedagogical tool. It is a life philosophy. Montessori also taught that external order supports internal order: that beauty, intentionality, and calm surroundings help our inner world find structure and ease.
This led her to develop the concept of the prepared environment, a space intentionally designed to invite growth, independence, and peace. While this originated as a model for childhood classrooms, her later work acknowledged a deeper truth: that connection to the Earth itself is vital for development. In the 1930s and 1940s, she introduced the idea of Erdkinder (German for “Children of the Earth”), an adolescent program that emphasized land-based education, sustainability, and connection with nature. It was radical at the time. It’s still radical today.
My Montessori Roots
As a Bergamo-trained Montessori teacher, certified through the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) at the Fondazione Internazionale Montessoriana, I carry that lineage deeply within me. Before becoming a coach and psychologist, I was an educator. But even now, after 40 years of combined experience in teaching and psychology, the Montessori approach informs everything I do.
I no longer teach in a traditional classroom, but I do help people return to themselves. And I believe that the prepared environment doesn’t end in childhood. In fact, many of us need it more than ever in adulthood. When we feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of our next step, the solution is often not more information, but more intention.
Whether I’m coaching, consulting, or leading a retreat, I draw from those same core principles: creating order that supports inner healing, inviting agency instead of offering fixes, and nurturing a space where people can slow down enough to hear their own wisdom.
Panama: A Living Prepared Environment
This March, I’ll be leading a retreat in Panama, one that echoes the very best of what a prepared environment can be. A nature-rich, soul-tending experience where participants are invited to reconnect with the rhythm of the Earth, and their own.
The retreat is not about doing more. It’s about being more. Or maybe just being, period. You’ll be invited to rest, to reflect, to play, to move your body, to tend your nervous system, and to honor whatever stage of life you’re in. You can do as much or as little as you want. That’s part of the magic.
Last week, a courageous Gen Z participant took the leap and committed, stretching her finances, trusting herself, and choosing this space as a powerful yes. And that lights me up. Because this experience isn’t about luxury, it’s about accessibility with intention. When you compare it to other retreats, even on the exact same island, you’ll find I’ve made it one of the most affordable offerings available, without cutting back on the soul care.
And Still, This Isn’t the Season for Everyone
I know that even when it’s affordable, now isn’t the time for everyone. You may not be able to step away from your job or your caregiving responsibilities. Or your nervous system may not be ready to travel just yet. I see you. You’re not left behind. Because you can create a prepared environment right at home.
Your Free Gift: The Prepared Environment Kit for Self-Care
In honor of Maria Montessori and the legacy she left behind, I’m offering a free gift this month: The Prepared Environment Kit for Self-Care, a gentle guide for creating your own sacred space at home. This isn’t a checklist of spa products. It’s a Montessori-inspired nudge toward reclaiming your rhythm and your rest.
In the kit, you’ll find:
A 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise to help you come back to the moment through your senses
Suggestions for building your own self-care kit (maybe that includes herbal tea, a journal, essential oils, or collage supplies)
Mini-practices for nurturing your nervous system in five minutes a day
A 21-day habit tracker
And the neuroscience behind why this matters: value tagging, the idea that our brains assign meaning to images, environments, and rituals. When we create space for care, our brains remember, and begin to believe, we are worthy of it.
You don’t have to leave the country to begin your healing. You just have to begin. Get your Self-Care Kit HERE!
Rooted in Montessori.
Rooted in the Earth.
Rooted in you.
With roots in realness,
Karin
