#Psychogeometry Gems

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Psychogeometry Gem

This gem from Maria Montessori's P͟s͟y͟c͟h͟o͟g͟e͟o͟m͟e͟t͟r͟y͟ : "I do not want to discuss the argument raised by many regarding interest and effort here, contrasting these two faces of the same coin. In fact, many have said that it is necessary to choose between interest and effort in education -- calling interest pleasant execution and effort unpleasant execution. However, effort is implemented actively, using one's own energy: and this is done when there is interest. Man is not a machine. He acts when his interest, generosity or enthusiasm is aroused. Furthermore this living, active and strong man will know how to make the unpleasant effort." The adjective that stood out to me was generosity. I have countless times witnessed in the classroom a child patiently and kindly helping another child with an activity that is nowhere near their favorite out of a straightforward sense of generosity. Not only that, I regularly watch generosity spark the other two adjectives in that sentence: interest and enthusiasm. We are collaborative beings meant to do things together and nowhere is this more clear than in a well-functioning Montessori elementary environment.