Additional Resources
Videos
As well as as a range of our own videos sharing our philosophy and classroom environments, we also have YouTube videos of our 40th anniversary celebrations demonstrating our community spirit, historical timelines, frequently asked questions and other wonderful video resources to understand the Montessori difference. Click on the links below to watch more.
Welcome to BMS - 2 Part Overview
Overview Part 1
Overview Part 2
BMS Classrooms - Playgroup, Preschool, Lower Primary, and Upper Primary
Playgroup
Playgroup (0-3 years)
Preschool
Preschool (3-6 years, including Kindergarten), ‘Birralee’ and ‘Kuriwa’
Lower Primary
Lower Primary (6-9 years), ‘Illoura’
Upper Primary
Upper Primary (9-12 years), ‘Amaroo’
BMS 40th Birthday Pricipals Speech with Event Footage (2 Parts)
40th - Part 1
40th Anniversary Event - Principal’s Speech and Event Footage
40th - Part 2
BMS 40th Anniversary Stories (A Historical Timeline)
This book serves as an all-encompassing guide to understanding and implementing the Montessori method in various settings. It starts with a strong emphasis on the core principles of Montessori, such as child-centered learning, independence, and hands-on experiences.
2. Benefactor
Montessori FAQs (YouTube Shorts)
A range of short reels answering some of the frequent questions from new parents considering a Montessori education and a 5 day week of Preschool attendance.
Environmental
Conscious Parenting
Ready For Preschool
5 Days At 3 Years of Age
The Montessori Effect - Better Outcomes (US Study)
The Montessori Effect
This animated video provides an overview of a US national study revealing that public Montessori preschool delivers lasting academic and cognitive advantages.
In a groundbreaking national randomised controlled trial (RCT) from the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that tracked 588 children across 24 public Montessori schools in the U.S. from age 3 through to kindergarten. Unlike most preschool programs where early gains fade by kindergarten, Montessori students surged in kindergarten, showing stronger reading, memory, executive function and social cognition.
Study highlights:: Academic Gains: Montessori students scored significantly higher in early reading; Cognitive & Executive Function: Better short-term memory and stronger self-regulation; Social Understanding: Superior theory of mind, linked to social competence.
The Montessori Effect - Better Outcomes (US Study)
Documentary
Buy or watch the movie online here : https://www.montessorimovie.com
As a young father, watching his daughter go through her life experiences, film director Alexandre Mourot discovered the Montessori approach and decided to set his camera up in a children’s house (3 to 6 years of age) in the oldest Montessori school in France.
Alexandre was warmly welcomed in a surprisingly calm and peaceful environment, filled with flowers, fruits and Montessori materials. He met happy children, who were free to move about, working alone or in small groups. The teacher remained very discreet. Some children were reading, others were making bread, doing division, laughing or sleeping. The children guided the film director throughout the whole school year, helping him to understand the magic of their autonomy and self-esteem - the seeds of a new society of peace and freedom, which Maria Montessori dedicated her life work to.
Montessori vs. Traditional Education
Montessori Madness
Trevor Eissler, author of Montessori Madness! A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education created this wonderful short 5 minute animation to explain why Montessori education is so much more than just school, and inspires your child to learn for life.
Watch a quick interview with Trevor on why he wrote his book ‘Montessori Madness!’
Follow the book link below to purchase a copy of Eissler's book.
Articles
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At the MSCA Annual Webinar 2025, Alison Demangeon talked about her recent meta analysis of ‘The effects of Montessori education on five fields of development and learning in preschool and school-age children’.
Authored by Alison, Stéphanie Claudel-Valentin, Alexandre Aubry, and Youssef Tazouti, the findings were published in Contemporary Educational Psychology (2023).
It’s great to see research-based evidence being shared on a pedagogy that we all know and love for its meticulous and scientific, child-centred design.
Read the full article here
Or the summary article here
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Visionary educational pioneer, Maria Montessori, recognised this when she wrote: “Education must no longer be mostly imparting knowledge, but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentialities.”
Read the full article here
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“When the child concentrates their attention on some object that attracts them and which provided them not only with a useful exercise but with a control of error . . . the child becomes calm, radiantly happy, busy, forgetful of themselves and, in consequence, indifferent to prizes or material rewards.”
Read the full article here
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Written by ‘Aid to Life’ for Association Montessori Internationale
Read the full article here
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Written by Louise Livingston, Head of Training at Maria Montessori Institute
Read the article here.
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The benefit of staying within a 3 year cycle in a smaller social environment, such as BMS, is often underestimated.
By creating this 'real-world' dynamic, children need to adapt to work with peers and lead others, to negotiate conflict, diversity and belonging, to build and abide by "community" boundaries and agreements.
It's more than just academics, it's a life skill that very rarely gets taught and revered at this age. But one that delivers a great benefit in adulthood:
"Why stay for the Montessori elementary program?
Because the Montessori Elementary (Upper Primary) community is a dynamic environment where exploration, growth, and meaningful connections flourish.
Through the lens of Cosmic Education, children are given both structure and freedom to explore the world around them, all while continuing their journey of development.
In these conditions, six-to-twelve-year-olds don’t just learn, they transform into confident, curious, and resourceful individuals. They are equipped to navigate the complexities of life with a sense of purpose and wonder. Montessori Elementary is more than education; it’s a journey of belonging."
Read the full article on Association Montessori Internationale website here.
Books
Our office book shelf is filled with wonderful books on Montessori education, parenting and children’s health which our community are welcome to borrow. Below are links to some of our favourites to purchase.
Montessori Madness
by Trevor Eissler
Written by a Montessori parent, this book gives an accessible overview of the fundamentals of the Montessori approach. Highly recommended.
Order here
The Montessori Baby, The Montessori Toddler & The Montessori Child (3 x individual books)
By Simone Davies
Montessori Educator, Author & Parent
Order here
And access her full website of courses, blogs, resources and videos.
The Absorbent Mind
If you would like to tackle one of Dr Montessori’s own books,The Absorbent Mind is a good place to start. I enjoy reading her books, but they are not light-reading!
Buy it here
The Montessori Way, Revised and Expanded: An Education for Life; A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Teachers
This book serves as an all-encompassing guide to understanding and implementing the Montessori method in various settings. It starts with a strong emphasis on the core principles of Montessori, such as child-centered learning, independence, and hands-on experiences.
Offering expert advice from author and Montessori Foundation President Timothy Seldin's forty-plus years in Montessori education
Buy it here
The Montessori Potential: How to Foster Independence, Respect, and Joy in Every Child
Montessori education expert Paula Lillard Preschlack offers a clear explanation of how the Montessori approach helps children. By looking closely at authentic Montessori practices, she shows the tight correlation between the Montessori system in action and children practicing and strengthening the very traits they will need for adulthood.
When implemented properly, Montessori can ensure positive outcomes for generations of children—The Montessori Potential shows exactly how this is done in private and public schools, and at home.
Buy it here
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth.
Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.
Buy it here
Podcasts
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Welcome to the All Things Montessori Podcast, a podcast devoted to discussing everything Montessori.
From classroom management to self-care, Montessori at home to staying inspired in this work; we cover it all.
Hosted by Jamie Rue and Rachel Merle-Smith. Email us at: allthingsmontessoripod@gmail.com Follow us at: @allthingsmontessori
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Association Montessori Internationale is globally renowned for the quality of its trainers as well as the breadth and depth of its training courses supporting humans at all developmental stages.
We offer training in over 40 countries, have trainers from more than 50 countries and will offer well over 150 Diploma and Certificate courses in 2024.
The Voices of AMI Training Series highlights contributions from our training community giving perspectives on a wide range of issues that are of interest to educators, parents, students and decision makers around the world.
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The Montessori Notebook podcast is the place for all your Montessori inspiration.
Simone Davies, author of The Montessori Toddler, reveals all her insights from years of being a Montessori teacher and parent. Through conversations, answering listener’s questions, and sharing what she’s been learning lately, you’ll be inspired to take those ideas that resonate for you and put them straight into practice to be a more calm, supportive parent or teacher.
Simone is down to earth, warm, and makes these ideas accessible to parents, educators and anyone wanting to learn more about Montessori. Montessori activities, Montessori at home, how to set up your Montessori home (or classroom), how to talk so kids will listen, positive discipline, simplicity parenting, and more. Yes, how to raise a child in a respectful way, help you better understand your child, and raise a curious and responsible human being. With the aim of spreading more peace and positivity around the world.
People We Follow
Simone Davies
Simone Davies has more than 20 years’ experience as an AMI Montessori educator.
Simone is the author of “The Montessori Toddler” and co-author of “The Montessori Baby” and “The Montessori Child” books, comprehensive guides to raising children in a Montessori way.
She currently runs parent-child Montessori classes in Amsterdam at her school Jacaranda Tree Montessori.
She also has a popular blog, instagram and podcast “The Montessori Notebook” and is mother to two young adults.
Follow Simone below:
http://www.instagram.com/themontessorinotebook
http://www.facebook.com/themontessorinotebook
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz6pkn6_-JTJCJfDciWMwlNSOO_1Ya8W0
Sylvia Arotin
Hello, I'm Sylvia Arotin, founder and CEO of Guide & Grow.
My passion for child development and my commitment to positively impact children and families worldwide stem from my experience across multiple roles in early childhood education.
The most profound lessons, however, have always come from the children's innate curiosity and joy, which have served as my guiding lights.
Despite facing personal health challenges, my determination led me to create Guide & Grow, an organization dedicated to helping caregivers raise future generations.
Today, I'm proud to lead a global community of over 420,000+ members and also serve as Director and Owner of My Montessori preschool in Sydney, Australia.
Follow Sylvia here
Maggie Dent
Maggie Dent is one of Australia's most-loved parenting authors, educators and podcasters.
Tim Seldin
Tim is the President of the Montessori Foundation. He is a co-founder of the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Tim was instrumental in the development of the CGMS School Leadership Credential Program and continues to serve as an advisor.
Jonathan Haidt
A social psychologist at New York University’s Stern School of Business. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992.
Haidt’s research examines the intuitive foundations of morality, and how morality varies across cultural and political divisions. Haidt is the author of The Happiness Hypothesis (2006) and of the New York Times bestsellers The Righteous Mind (2012) and The Coddling of the American Mind (2018, with Greg Lukianoff). He has given four TED talks. In 2019 he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Since 2018 he has been studying the contributions of social media to the decline of teen mental health and the rise of political dysfunction. His most recent books are the New York Times #1 bestseller The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (2024), and the New York Times #1 bestseller The Amazing Generation: Your guide to fun and freedom in a screen filled world (2025, co-written with Catherine Price).
Watch Jonathan’s You Tube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/jonathanhaidt1
Listen to Podcasts with Jonathan:
https://jonathanhaidt.com/podcasts/
Read Jonathan’s Essays:
Surfrider Foundation Australia
Surfrider Foundation Australia was founded in 1991 to protest poor water quality issues on Australia’s east coast. Local surfers, being at the forefront of water quality, began a series of demonstrations to persuade decision makers to take action. They have been working hard to protect Australia’s coastlines ever since.
Surfrider is not just an organisation—it’s a movement that empowers individuals to make a tangible impact through education, advocacy, and collective action.
Since its humble beginnings, SFA has grown to 15 branches and thousands of volunteers uniting to tackle issues affecting coastal communities.
Find out more:
Find out more about our Adopt a Beach program (BMS is the partner for Avalon):
Good Citizens
Good Citizens Eyewear was born in 2018. Harry (8) & Archie (6) were upset about all the plastic waste piling up in the world.
Two months later, a plan was in place to help untrash the planet®
They scribbled down four guiding principles:
1) Only use 100% recycled materials
2) Make products that last
3) Don't exploit people or the planet
4) Employees get time with their kids or loved ones.
To this day the kids still make decisions in the business. And Good Citizens makes the most awarded sustainable eyewear on the planet.
We have loved connecting with the Good citizens team to share their story with our students and inspire action.
Find out more and purchase their glasses here:
https://www.goodcitizens.com.au/
Watch their YouTube Channel for Talks/Videos: